Having a well-maintained home can feel like a never-ending task. However, an annual boiler service is one of the most important things to remember.
Keeping your boiler in check can keep your home energy efficient, keep your warranty valid and your gas engineer can spot any issues early on, meaning they are repaired before anything escalates and can result in more costly problems.
If you find yourself forgetting to arrange an annual boiler service, you can set yourself reminders from the Gas Safe Registered website here
How often should my boiler be serviced?
It is recommended you get your boiler serviced every year. The best time of year to do this is during the summer and autumn months. Heating season; which is when most homeowners start switching on their heating, begins in October and ends in March or April. This is the busiest period for gas engineers, and they may struggle to fit you in should you have a problem. You want to make sure your boiler is ready for those cold winter months and any problems on the horizon are rectified!
An annual boiler service is crucial to running your boiler efficiently and safely.
As a homeowner, there is no legal requirement to service your boiler; however, if overlooked and forgotten, it can leave you worse off overall. Having your boiler serviced regularly can help identify potential issues, maintain efficiency, and save you money in the long run!
If you live in a rental property, your landlord must legally have your boiler serviced every 12 months. It is a landlord's duty of care to keep all gas appliances in your home safe. Although the landlord is responsible for gas safety in your home, tenants should be aware of the laws and regulations to understand what is expected and required. For more information on gas safety and your landlord's legal requirements in a rented property, check out the Gas Safe Register here.
Why have a boiler service?
Minor problems can become major problems if left and not dealt with. By having an annual boiler service, it could save you quite a lot of money. Your gas safe engineer can fix small issues, which can aid in avoiding larger problems in the future, which could become costly.
With the recent spike in gas bills across the UK, homeowners are looking for ways to be more efficient. Throughout your service, your engineer will carry out numerous checks to ensure your boiler is working efficiently.
The iC Economiser is one of the most efficient boilers on the market and can save you over £2000 on your gas bills*. For more information on energy efficient boilers click here
If your boiler comes with a warranty, you must ensure you keep it validated. Most boiler warranty policies state your boiler must be serviced annually otherwise; the warranty could be void. You don’t want to be left with a costly repair in the future, because you missed your annual boiler service.
(Important to note: It is not a legal requirement to have an annual boiler service, however it may be the manufacturer’s condition to have one to keep your warranty valid. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to book and keep check of any appointments within the warranty period. For more information on your warranty details, check your manufacturers terms and conditions)
What does a boiler service entail?
Operation – The engineer will test all controls, checking they are operating correctly. They will also fire up your boiler to check everything is working properly when your boiler is in use.
Visual inspection – The engineer will conduct a visual internal and external inspection of your boiler, looking for signs of damage or corrosion.
Flue check-up – A full check-up of your flue will be done to ensure there are no blockages. A Flue Gas Analyser (FGA) test will be performed to make sure the boiler is burning correctly.
Cleaning – The engineer will inspect and clean all the key components of your boiler. This includes internal parts such as the heat exchanger and burners.
For more information on what is included in a boiler service, click here.
Who should conduct my boiler service?
You should only allow Gas Safe Registered engineers to work on any gas appliances in your home.
Related read: Why is it important to ALWAYS use a Gas Safe Registered Installer?
Most boiler manufacturers employ their own engineers to carry out boiler servicing. Alternatively, you can source an independent Gas Safe Registered (GSR) engineer to service your boiler. A GSR engineer holds the correct qualifications to work on gas appliances in your home. It is against the law for anyone who is NOT Gas Safe Registered to carry out any type of gas work.
If you are unsure if your engineer is fully qualified to work on your gas appliances, you can use the Gas Safe Register’s helpful online tool to check.
ATAG ONLY SELL to Gas Safe Registered Engineers! With our 10-year warranty as standard, and only selling to Gas Safe Registered engineers, we are confident that you will have that peace of mind all year round!
If you would like to arrange a boiler service for your ATAG boiler, you can do so here Contact - ATAG (atagheating.co.uk)
Some manufacturers also offer a monthly subscription service which includes the cost of parts and labour alongside your annual service. With ATAG, you don’t need any additional subscriptions, this is because all parts and labour are covered within our warranty packages*. You can read ATAGs warranty terms and conditions here.