How often should a boiler be serviced?
Once a year, every year — and not only because the manufacturer says so. Here is what a service actually covers.
Once a year. Almost every manufacturer requires it, and a missed service is the most common reason a warranty claim is refused years later.
Why the warranty point matters
Boiler warranties often run to 10 years, but they are conditional. If you claim in year seven and cannot show an unbroken service history, the manufacturer can decline. The service costs far less than the repair you would then be funding yourself.
What a proper service covers
- A safety inspection of the boiler and its controls
- Flue and combustion checks
- A check for corrosion and leaks
- Testing the safety devices
- Checking and adjusting the operating pressure
- A written record of what was tested
If an engineer is in and out in ten minutes with no paperwork, you have not had a service.
When to book it
Late summer or early autumn. Two reasons: engineers are less stretched than they are in January, and if something needs attention you find out before the first cold week rather than during it.
Landlords
A gas safety check and a boiler service are not the same thing. The safety check is a legal requirement every 12 months; the service is what keeps the appliance working and the warranty intact. Many landlords book both together, which is usually the cheapest way to do it.
Want this priced for your property?
Send BPS Plumbing & Heating a few photos and the rough measurements and you'll get a written quote that sets out exactly what's included — so you can compare it properly against anything else you've been given.