6 reasons you should service your boiler

The leaves are falling from the trees, and autumn is fast approaching. But this year, the colder temperatures have come with a whole new sense of dread – the skyrocketing energy costs.

We get it – the last thing you probably want right now is to fork out on servicing your boiler. But while the average cost of a boiler service is £100, the cost of not servicing your boiler could be much, much higher.

That’s right, servicing your boiler could save you a ton of money in the long run. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves now. So, without further ado, here are six reasons why you should service your boiler.

Prevent future breakdowns

First things first, a boiler service is a great way to catch any problems with your boiler before they become bigger, more expensive problems.

“There are a lot of breakdowns that occur on boilers where a client wouldn’t necessarily be aware there’s an issue because the boiler’s been operating okay. But the longer these issues go on, the worse and more expensive the issue can become.”

Richie Basquine, RJ Heating 

At your annual service, your engineer will be able to highlight any minor niggles that could turn into bigger faults in the future, saving you from costly repairs down the line. Emergency boiler repair costs are around £410 – that’s certainly not a bill you want winging its way to you.

Boost your boiler’s efficiency

Another way that an annual service can help save you money is by making sure your boiler is running efficiently. Often, a small tweak or word of advice from your boiler engineer can bring your energy bills right down.

“There are currently a lot of boilers out there that are massively oversized for the properties they are in and so burning off so much more gas than is necessary. Some of these can be range rated, where the gas consumption can be ‘decreased’ and so save money on bills without affecting output on the appliance.”

Richie Basquine, RJ Heating 

Another way to increase efficiency is to turn your boiler on during the summer months.

“Reason is that valves and pumps can seize up when they’re not working. If you do decide to switch your boiler off for the summer, then turn it back on every few weeks for a short time. This will help to make sure that it’s in the best condition when winter comes round again.”

Winston Gallagher, WK Plumbing and Heating Services

Extend its lifespan

Replacing a boiler is expensive. The cost of replacing a combi boiler with another combi boiler is between £1,400 and £2,000. But if you’re looking to convert your boiler to another type, it could be much higher.

It goes without saying that this is a cost you’ll want to avoid if possible. Well, guess what? Keeping your boiler serviced will help to keep it healthy and efficient – which could make it last much longer.

The average lifespan of a boiler is between 10 and 15 years. But a boiler that’s been carefully maintained and regularly serviced could last many years more.

Keep it under warranty

If your boiler is currently under warranty, servicing it annually is an even more worthwhile investment.

Normally, your warranty will only be valid if you’ve kept up with your boiler’s annual service. If your boiler breaks and it’s under warranty, you won’t have to pay a penny for it to be repaired (as long as you’ve met any other requirements of your warranty, of course!). On the other hand, if you’ve lapsed on those annual services, you’ll likely be the one left footing the bill.

The long and short of it is that keeping your boiler under warranty could save you a LOT of money in repair costs. In comparison, that annual service cost is just a small price to pay.

Stay safe

Okay, so this one’s less about the financial cost and more about… well… personal cost! Probably the most important reason for servicing your boiler is that it will help to keep you safe.

Boilers can release carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas. Worse still, it’s colourless, tasteless and odourless. In other words, if your boiler is leaking this dangerous gas, you probably won’t know it. We always recommend installing carbon monoxide alarms throughout your home to alert you if there is a leak.

Getting your boiler serviced regularly will give you that all-important peace of mind that you and your loved ones are safe. And if your boiler does need repairs, it will allow you to catch them before your broken boiler causes serious damage to your health.

It’s quick and easy!

Lastly, getting your boiler serviced is super quick and easy.

To book your annual boiler service, you can just search for a trusted boiler engineer right here on Checkatrade. The service itself normally takes just 30 to 60 minutes, assuming there are no issues or parts being replaced. So, really, there’s no excuse!

As you can see, getting your boiler serviced is a no-brainer. Although it does come with a cost, it’s just a small price to pay when you think about the safety benefits and how much money it could save you in the long run.

FAQs

How often should you get your boiler serviced?

You should get your boiler serviced every year, within 12 months of your boiler’s previous service.

How much does an annual boiler service cost?

On average, you can expect to pay around £100 to get your boiler serviced.