MILLIONS should get their boiler serviced to save huge amounts of money and it’ll keep your household safe too.
Temperatures are down and people are finally turning their central heating on, but when was the last time you got your boiler serviced?
Tom Allan, heating engineer at Boiler Central tells us why you should get your boiler services
The risks of leaving boilers unchecked range from weeks without heating and hot water to carbon monoxide poisoning and huge repair costs.
We spoke to Tom Allan, heating engineer at Boiler Central, to find out why it’s so important to get your boiler serviced.
He said: “Energy bills are on the forefront of many people’s minds right now but it’s important you stay warm to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems.
“We all want to keep our bills down to a minimum, but not getting your boiler serviced could cause all sorts of problems in the long run.”
“A simple check can take as little as an hour and can help give you peace of mind this winter.”
We’ve listed Tom’s three reasons as to why you shouldn’t avoid getting your boiler services this winter.
1. Keeps your heating running efficiently – saving you £100s every year
With energy bills for the typical household at a high of £2,500 a year, it’s vital that your boiler is heating your hot water as efficiently as possible.
A regular boiler service is there to help check for anything out of the ordinary and make sure that your boiler is running efficiently.
Engineers can check for things like rust, low pressure, faulty fans, unusual noises and excess air in the system and all these issues which can make your boiler run inefficiently.
An inefficient boiler could be adding hundreds to your energy bills as it will need to work harder to heat up your hot water.
Tom said: “An annual boiler service will make sure you have access to hot water whenever you need it, and help everything run smoothly.
“It will also save you money on your energy bills, especially with the rise in costs.
“If your boiler isn’t maintained, it can become less efficient, meaning you’ll be paying more on your bills than you should be.”
2. Helps avoid high-breakdown costs – saving you up to £3,500
A regular boiler service also helps reduce your risk of a future breakdown which could cost a substantial amount to repair.
Regular servicing allows the engineer to rectify any minor issues before they become a bigger problem.
Tom said: “A gas boiler service generally costs anywhere between £80 and £125 and can save homeowners paying out for expensive repairs and ensures that your warranty remains valid.
“Boilers that aren’t maintained could eventually become unfixable if they break down and this could leave homeowners with bills worth thousands of pounds.”
When looking into a new boiler cost, the average you can expect to spend is between £1,500-£3,500 depending on the type of boiler your home needs, according to Which?.
3. Keeps your household safe
It’s also vital to get your boiler serviced to ensure that it’s not leaking any harmful gases.
A faulty boiler which leaks carbon monoxide into your home could cause homeowners to get seriously ill.
That’s why it’s important to ensure that you have a working carbon monoxide detector near where your boiler is located.
Tom said: “Gas Safe registered engineers ensure that your boiler is safe, and does not pose a risk to you and your family.”
How often should I get my boiler serviced?
Energy companies recommend servicing your boiler at least once a year to make sure it’s operating properly.
Most people choose to book the service for winter when your boiler is being used the most.
But beware that this will be the busiest period for boiler services, so you may have to book several weeks in advance.
Or, if you’re still within your 12 months, maybe opt to service your boiler in spring or summer instead.
How much does it cost to get my boiler serviced?
You can book a service with any Gas Safe Registered Engineer, although customers may prefer to do so through their energy company.
You have two options when it comes to boiler servicing.
Customers can either pay a one-off fee of between £80-£125 for a 30-minute service.
If repairs are needed, you will normally need to pay extra for them.
Some households opt to take out boiler and central heating cover – but this costs more at around £180-£300 a year.
And that doesn’t include the call-out fees which could be up to £100.
A survey commissioned by Which? in May 2022 found that paying for services and repairs when you need them works out cheaper than taking out boiler cover in most cases.
Which? has said the majority of those that paid for a repair without cover in the last five years spent £107.
And with the average cost for an annual service between £80-£125, the combined cost of paying when required was still up to £100 cheaper than the average annual boiler cover premium of £265.80.
Some home insurance companies may also give policyholders the option to add boiler insurance – which should cost less than taking out a separate policy, so it’s worth to shop around.
