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Annual Boiler Servicing: Why It’s Important

Boilers are often out of sight and out of mind. Sure, we rely on them for hot showers and to keep our homes warm in winter, but once they’re installed and running, it’s easy to assume they’ll take care of themselves – right?

Not quite, while boilers are built to last, they do need regular attention! Think of it like owning a car – you wouldn’t skip its annual service or MOT test, so why treat your boiler any differently? In fact, most manufacturers now require annual servicing as part of their warranty or guarantee terms. Although it’s not yet a legal requirement in the UK (though we believe it should be), it is an important maintenance routine that your boiler should have to ensure efficiency, safety, and longevity.

Read on to discover why an annual boiler service should be a priority, how it benefits you, and find answers to some of the most common questions our engineers receive.

What Is A Boiler Service?

A boiler service is basically a health check for your heating system. A qualified Gas Safe Engineer will give it a thorough once-over, following a detailed checklist to make sure everything is running safely and efficiently.

This isn’t just about keeping things ticking over – it helps prevent costly breakdowns and potential safety risks down the line. Trust us, we should know! We get called out to hundreds of boiler breakdowns and repair jobs across London every year, and many of them could have been avoided with a simple annual service. A little maintenance now can save you a big headache (and expense) later.

Why Is It Important To Have An Annual Boiler Service?

Efficiency

Annual servicing will ensure that your boiler is running efficiently and safely for the year ahead and minimises the risk of breakdowns thus increasing the lifespan of the boiler as well.

Health, Safety And Peace Of Mind

Annual Servicing keeps you and your family safe and healthy. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), carbon monoxide poisoning in the home accounts for 40 recorded deaths per year. Additionally, it causes as many as 4,000 medical visits and poses a danger to anyone with a fuel burning appliance (like a gas boiler) in their home.

Annual servicing of your boiler can help to ensure that it is combusting fuel efficiently and most importantly safely, which can greatly reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning as well as prolonging the lifespan of the boiler. For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning visit the Gas Safe website.

Imagine a situation where there is a boiler breakdown for elderly or vulnerable people. This can have severe health ramifications for them, whereas for most of us it is just an inconvenience.

Early Detection / Warning Of Issues

Small problems can escalate quickly when left unresolved. By ensuring that your boiler is running properly, you will have peace of mind that your boiler is unlikely to breakdown out of the blue – not to mention the money you will save on future repairs. Your engineer can detect and fix any minor problems early to avoid costly faults occurring when you need a warm home the most.

Save On Energy Bills

During your boiler service, the engineer will run a bunch of important checks to make sure everything’s working as efficiently as possible. And here’s the good news: a more efficient boiler means lower energy bills, so you’ll be saving money in the long run!

Of course, how efficient your boiler is will depend on its age and type, but there are plenty of simple ways to give it a boost. During your next boiler service, ask your engineer for some top tips on how to keep your boiler running at its best; our engineers are always happy to help.

It Validates Any Manufacturer’s Warranty/Guarantee

With most boiler warranties, you’re actually required to complete a regular service to ensure your boiler is safe. If you don’t, it could invalidate your policy.

When Should I Service My Boiler?

Ideally it should be serviced every 12 months, especially if it maintains the manufacturer’s warranty.

We all know how it goes, you put a reminder in your diary to book an appointment, but something comes up and you forget and before you know it the cold winter snap has arrived, and boilers everywhere start to breakdown. When this happens, you can be sure you are likely to have a longer-than-anticipated wait to get your boiler back up and running, as you won’t be the only person with a broken boiler.

A boiler works it hardest during the colder months. We believe the best time to service your boiler is in the warmer months (April-September). Not only does this help ensure it is working correctly making it less likely to breakdown when the colder months return, but you will also have a lot more flexibility in regard to choosing a convenient date and time to suit you.

Benefits Of Servicing Your Boiler In The Summer

  • A summer service ensures your boiler runs at peak efficiency, preventing it from using excess fuel and driving up energy costs.
  • Any efficiency issues can be fixed before the colder months, saving you money when you need heating the most.
  • Many homeowners discover boiler issues only when they switch it back on in autumn – leading to frustrating, last-minute repairs.
  • A summer service allows engineers to spot and fix problems early, so your boiler is ready when temperatures drop.
  • Catching minor faults early prevents expensive breakdowns later, much like servicing a car.
  • Repairs in summer are less disruptive since you don’t rely on heating as much, avoiding the need for costly temporary heating solutions.
  • Engineers are busiest from October to March, making summer the best time to secure a convenient slot.
  • With fewer emergency call-outs, engineers can give your boiler the time and attention it deserves.
  • If you have kids, school summer holidays might be the perfect time to book a service while you’re home with them.
  • No need to juggle work and school schedules for an appointment!

My Boiler Was Installed In the Winter. Do I Have To Service It Then Validate My Warranty/Guarantee?

All manufacturer’s warranties/guarantees are subject to annual servicing every 12 months from the date of installation, for the duration of the warranty/guarantee. So, if your boiler is still under warranty/guarantee then you can’t change your service date/month.

However, if your boiler is no longer under guarantee/warrantee and was installed between October-March, we would recommend that you schedule in to have it serviced during the summer months to avoid difficulties in getting it serviced during the busiest months of every heating engineer’s calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boiler Servicing

A boiler service typically takes about an hour, but we can go up to 3 hours depending on the complexity of the appliance being checked.

We recommend our customers to book a boiler service every year. Most manufacturers now state that a boiler needs to be serviced every 12 months in order to maintain the warranty.

Yes, most manufacturers now state that a boiler needs to be serviced every 12 months in order to maintain the warranty.

A Gas Safe heating engineer is qualified to carry out a boiler service. It is important to always get a boiler service from experts you can trust. All our engineers at Happy Dog Plumbing are full qualified to conduct boiler services, repairs and gas safety checks.

If a problem is identified during the boiler service appointment, it is possible that the engineer will fix it during the same appointment. However, this will depend on what the issue is. If it is a minor issue, such as an automatic air vent or recharging expansion vessel, then it is likely the engineer will repair the problem there and then (with your permission). However, if the problem is more advanced, a return visit may be needed.

Just like with a car service, carrying out regular maintenance can help identify any faults or issues early on before they start creating a bigger problem. The cost of regular maintenance on your boiler will be significantly cheaper than the cost of a major repair or replacing it. Boilers are one of the most expensive appliances in most homes and the ones that can create the most upset when they go wrong.

A boiler service covers a full safety and efficiency check of your central heating system, including your boiler, radiators, and other heating appliances. Our engineers ensure everything is working properly, keeping your home warm and your system running safely.

Yes, your boiler, radiators, and other heating appliances are all checked. A boiler service will include a set of checks on the effectiveness and safe running of your whole central heating system.

No, landlords are not legally required to service the boiler in their rental property. However, an annual gas safety check is a legal requirement (a boiler service is different to a gas safety check).

By law, landlords must ensure that all gas appliances (fixed or portable) and flues provided for tenants undergo a yearly gas safety inspection to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12).

While a gas safety check confirms the boiler is safe to use, it does not include a full service. We recommend scheduling a boiler service at the same time to keep it running efficiently and prevent costly issues down the line.

Get In Touch With Our Heating Specialists!

At Happy Dog Plumbing, we service all the top boiler brands. Check out what our customers think of us.

If you’re ready to book an engineer, you can do so here.

Alternatively, if you are keen to find out more, visit our boiler servicing page and call us when you are ready.

Oliver Osmore has been at the helm of Happy Dog Plumbing since it became part of the Maintracts Services family, bringing with him decades of experience in plumbing, heating, and electrical services. As Managing Director of both companies, Oliver is dedicated to ensuring Happy Dog Plumbing continues its proud tradition of delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to customers.

Oliver’s approachable nature and problem-solving expertise allow him to work closely with customers, offering tailored solutions to even the most complex challenges. He is passionate about upholding the high standards that Happy Dog Plumbing has become known for, ensuring every job is handled with professionalism and care.

Since its founding, Happy Dog Plumbing has been a trusted name in installation, maintenance, and repair services. Under Oliver’s leadership, the company thrives as part of a larger, customer-focused team, staying true to its roots while benefiting from the expanded resources of Maintracts Services. 

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