What Is a Boiler Service — and What Does It Cover?
Your boiler is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home.
And unlike most appliances, you can't ignore it when it stops working.
But rather than wait for this to happen, you can get a boiler service to prevent it.
Read on to find out:
- Exactly what a boiler service covers
- How often you need one
- Who should carry it out
- Whether it's really worth the cost
And more.
What a boiler service is
A boiler service is an annual check carried out by a qualified heating engineer. It checks that your boiler is safe and running efficiently.
Think of it as an MOT for your heating system.
It takes around 40 minutes to an hour, and includes safety checks, efficiency tests, and a look inside your boiler's parts.
What boiler services cover
Boiler makers give engineers strict checklists, so nothing gets missed.
During a standard inspection, expect your engineer to:
- Perform a visual check and remove the cover for an internal inspection
- Conduct a flue gas analysis and efficiency test
- Check and adjust the system pressure
- Inspect the condensate trap
- Ensure the boiler fires up and shuts down safely
- Confirm ventilation and flues meet current Gas Safety Regulations.
Afterwards, the engineer will also advise you on your boiler's overall condition and maintenance.
Why boiler services matter
An annual boiler service significantly reduces the chances of an unexpected breakdown.
There are three main reasons why it’s better to do this rather than just ad-hoc fix your boiler when issues arrive:
- Stay safe: Faulty boilers can leak dangerous, odourless gases like carbon monoxide.
- Keep your warranty valid: Most manufacturer warranties require an annual service to remain active.
- Save money: A well-maintained boiler operates correctly, which saves you money on your energy bills.
Every boiler is different, and usage varies from home to home. But with a typical lifespan of 10 to 15 years, regular servicing usually pays for itself many times over.
You save money via efficiency gains and avoided repair bills.
It also brings you peace of mind, with more predictable heating costs. You catch small issues before they become big (and expensive) ones.
Landlords' legal requirements
Landlords have extra gas safety responsibilities and duties beyond a yearly service.
For example, they must issue a Gas Safety Certificate to tenants each year. It covers gas boilers and any other gas appliances in the property.
Many landlords choose our landlord boiler cover, which includes an annual gas safety check.
Who should service your boiler
Only certified professionals should inspect your boiler.
So, unless you are qualified, never attempt to do it yourself!
Depending on your boiler type, you must use a specifically registered engineer:
- Gas boilers: Must be serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Oil boilers: Must be serviced by an OFTEC-registered engineer.
- Solid fuel boilers (wood/coal): Must be serviced by a HETAS-registered engineer.
Heating engineers have years of training, hands-on experience, and continuous learning behind them.
They don't just guess what problems are.
They follow a strict diagnostic process, testing safety systems and combustion performance before signing anything off
Always ask to see your engineer's ID before they start working.
Different servicing requirements for different boilers
The basic checks stay the same. But different types of boilers can take more time to service properly.
For example, servicing a system boiler is often slightly more involved than a regular boiler, and can take 30 to 45 minutes longer to complete.
Older or faulty boilers usually take longer to service than newer ones, too.
Boiler service costs
A one-off service typically costs between £80 and £120, with £100 being a fairly typical price nationally.
The final price depends on the supplier you choose, as well as the age and state of your boiler.
If the engineer finds a fault during the service, you will also have to pay extra for those repairs.
Why September is a great month to book a boiler service
September is a good time to book a boiler service because it comes right before your boiler will be put under the most pressure.
Waiting until later autumn/early winter could mean it takes longer to find an engineer available.
In the meantime, there are some basic boiler maintenance tips you can follow between services.
How boiler cover helps
For boiler cover that gives you comprehensive support and a warm home, get in touch with YourRepair today.
We offer boiler care plans from just £9 per month, which include a free annual boiler service (worth up to £120).