What to expect from a boiler service
A boiler service is one of those things that you might overlook or put off. But to make sure you’re not left without heating or hot water, it’s a good idea to have your boiler serviced every year. It’ll mean an engineer can spot any problems so that you can nip them in the bud before they get worse.
An annual service can save you money over time because a more efficient boiler will cost less to run. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that a Gas Safe engineer has taken care of your boiler. All our plans include an annual boiler service as standard (or you can get a standalone boiler service from OVO) – so that’s one thing ticked off your list.
We've put this guide together to help you understand what goes on during a standard boiler service. It includes:
- What it means to be a Gas Safe engineer
- What happens at a boiler service
- Why a boiler needs servicing
Who carries out a boiler service?
Only a Gas Safe registered engineer should be performing any replacements, repairs or maintenance checks on your boiler. When an engineer is approved – or Gas Safe registered – it means they’re experienced and competent to work with gas and gas appliances. It also means they’re legally allowed to. This is important because gas in your home can be risky – carbon monoxide poisoning can be very dangerous, as can faulty installations which might lead to fires.
It's important that your engineer is fully qualified to carry out the work. You can check your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card for peace of mind – you’re perfectly entitled to do so. Anyone who carries out a CORGI boiler service (either included with our cover plans or a standalone boiler service from OVO) will, of course, be a certified Gas Safe engineer.
What can I expect from a boiler service?
An engineer will carry out a number of checks when servicing your boiler. Here are some of the standard practices you can expect during their visit:
- Visual inspection – Checking that the boiler is up to standard by looking for signs of corrosion or leaks.
- Checking key components - Making sure the heat exchanger, burner and main injector are working properly.
- Gas pressure check – Checking the system pressure, and adjusting it if it’s wrong.
- Flue check – Making sure the flue is fitted correctly, and nothing’s blocking the flue terminals.
Other checks might include:
- The boiler being fired safely to identify any working faults
- Opening up the boiler and inspecting it
- Checking the flue and ventilation are safe according to Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations
- Cleaning the condensate trap
- Visually checking and bleeding the radiators (if necessary)
- A visual check of the hot water cylinder
- Checking internal and external drains
How long does a boiler service take?
This depends on the type of boiler you have, and if your engineer finds any issues during the service. Generally, a visit takes around 30-60 minutes. After your service, your engineer will give you a report explaining what they've found. If you have any questions while your engineer’s at your home, feel free to ask them then.
When should I service my boiler?
We suggest your boiler should be serviced every year to catch any problems early. The best time of year for a service is during the summer when you don’t use your boiler as much. That way, your boiler it’ll be sorted and ready to heat your home when it gets cold. Engineers also tend to be less busy during the summer, so you might be seen quicker.
If you’re worried about your boiler at any time in the year, please contact a qualified engineer – even if your annual service is not due. It’s always best to be safe when gas is involved.
Why is a boiler service important?
Here are some of the main reasons why we recommend an annual boiler service:
Keeping your home safe
An approved engineer will be able to find any health and safety issues, giving you the opportunity to stop them getting worse.
One important example is looking for signs of a carbon monoxide leak. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, an annual service can pick up on signs of a dangerous leak, like
- A yellow flame coming out of gas appliances (instead of blue)
- Yellow or brown stains around boilers, stoves and fires
- Sooty marks on the front covers of a gas fire
- A faulty pilot light that keeps blowing out
Helping to keep energy bills to a minimum
A boiler can start to lose efficiency over time, which means it works harder and uses more fuel to heat your home. This can make your heating bills more expensive.
An engineer will make sure all the boiler’s components are working well and efficiently. They’ll also be able to suggest if it should be replaced.
And a service might save you money if your engineer is able to spot minor issues that, if fixed now, could avoid a last-minute repair or boiler replacement further down the line.
Help prevent a boiler breakdown
A boiler breakdown could mean your boiler needs to be replaced. But a service could spot issues which can be sorted before this happens.
How much does a boiler service cost?
The cost of a boiler service will vary depending on the type of boiler you own, where you live and what kind of boiler cover you have.
At CORGI HomePlan, all of our boiler cover plans offer an annual service as standard, giving you peace of mind when it comes to the safety of your boiler – and your home. Or you’re not looking for cover, you can also get a standalone boiler service from OVO. Our experts serviced over 200,000 boilers* last year alone, you know your boiler’s in safe hands.
*CORGI HomePlan is part of the OVO family, and as a group we serviced 215,927 boilers in 2022.