Why have your boiler serviced every year?

A boiler service is a routine check by a qualified engineer to make sure your boiler is working safely and efficiently. A yearly service can catch small problems before they turn into a breakdown, often in the middle of winter when engineers are busiest. It also checks that the boiler is burning gas safely and that fumes are leaving the property properly, which matters for carbon monoxide safety.

Many boiler manufacturers make an annual service a condition of their warranty. If your boiler is still under warranty, check the paperwork for the exact terms and keep a record of each service.

What does a boiler service usually include?

Exactly what is checked depends on the boiler and the engineer, but a typical service includes:

a visual check of the boiler, its pipework and its flue for damage, corrosion or leaks
checking the boiler fires up and runs correctly, and that its safety devices work
measuring how the boiler is burning, often with a flue gas analyser
checking the gas pressure and flow
cleaning or checking key parts where needed, such as the condensate trap on a condensing boiler
checking the system pressure and looking for signs of problems in the wider heating system

Ask the engineer what their service includes when they get in touch. They can tell you how long it will take and confirm the price before booking.

What happens if the engineer finds a problem during a service?

A service sometimes turns up a fault, such as a worn seal, a blocked condensate trap or a part that is close to failing. The engineer should explain what they have found, whether it is safe to keep using the boiler and what the repair involves. Small jobs can sometimes be done on the same visit, but anything that needs parts or extra time may mean a second visit.

If the engineer finds something dangerous, they will follow the industry procedure for unsafe situations. That can mean attaching a warning label and, with your permission, turning the boiler off until it is repaired. Any repair is a separate job, so ask for the price before agreeing to it.

How often should a boiler be serviced?

Once a year is the usual recommendation, and it is what most manufacturers ask for. Many people book a service in late summer or early autumn so the boiler is checked before the heating goes on for winter, but any time of year is fine.

I'm a landlord. Do I need anything extra?

Landlords in the UK must have gas appliances in rented homes checked for safety every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and must give tenants a copy of the gas safety record. A gas safety check is not the same thing as a full service, although some engineers offer both in one visit.

If you are a landlord, say so in your enquiry and mention how many properties and appliances are involved. The engineer we pass enquiries to carries out landlord gas safety checks and issues the gas safety record (often called a CP12 certificate), so you can ask for the check and the record in the same enquiry.

What should I tell the engineer?

Helpful details are the make and model of your boiler, roughly when it was last serviced, whether it is still under warranty, and anything you have noticed, such as noises, pressure dropping or the boiler taking longer to heat up. If there is a fault as well, mention it, because the engineer may need to plan for a repair as well as a service.

What happens after I send an enquiry?

We pass your enquiry to one local heating engineer who covers your postcode in Harrow, Brent, Barnet or Ealing. They contact you to arrange a convenient time and confirm the price with you directly. Asking is free and there is no obligation. There is more about local homes and heating systems on our Brent and Barnet pages.

We are an independent enquiry service, not a heating company. The engineer may pay us a fee for the introduction.

How can I check an engineer is qualified?

Anyone who works on a gas boiler in the UK must be on the Gas Safe Register. Gas Safe registered engineers carry an ID card showing which types of gas work they are qualified for. You can check an engineer's registration number on the Gas Safe Register website or by phoning the register before the visit.

Who you will hear from

We pass your enquiry to one local heating engineer who covers your postcode. It is never sent to a list of companies.

We only pass enquiries to heating engineers whose registration we have checked on the Gas Safe Register. Ask to see their registration ID card when they arrive.