Boilers are often unappreciated, but in reality they’re heating heroes…
Your boiler may just look like a box, hanging around on your wall or lurking, hidden away in a cupboard, but have you ever taken a moment to appreciate what that box does?…
It works hard every day to bring together gas, electricity and water, heating up the water for your taps and your central heating system. It heats up, cools down, pumps and makes sure your home is warm and comfortable. And that level of dedication is not to be sniffed at.
Knowing how hard your boiler works, you really need to make sure you are looking after it. It’s really important to make sure you have an annual Boiler Service carried out.
Not only is an annual service important from a safety perspective, it can also make all the difference in terms of reliability, efficiency and the size of your household bills. Getting your boiler serviced could also prevent unnecessary boiler repairs or replacement further down the line too. It’s important to note that if your boiler is still under warranty or guarantee, having an annual service is actually one of the conditions you have to comply with for the guarantee to stand.
If you are a Landlord, an annual service/gas safety check is a legal requirement for all of your properties. The law also requires that all servicing and gas safety checks are made by a Gas Safe registered Engineer.
A Boiler Service isn’t just a quick check under the cover…
During your boiler service, you can expect the Engineer to do the following:
Remove the boiler casing and examine the components
Check the gas pressure and flow is correct
Use a flue gas analyser to make sure the boiler is burning the right mixture
of gas and air, and that the exhaust gases are correct and safe
Check that all the electrical connections are clean and in good condition
Check the fans and other key components are working efficiently
Check that seals are intact
See that the electrodes are in a good condition
Check the safety devices
Check the condensate trap and pipe is not blocked
Check over all the water and gas pipework
Check that your Boiler is working safely and efficiently overall.
Phew.
There are some basic rules about boiler positioning that should be followed too…
If your boiler has been installed in a cupboard, you’ll need to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommended clearances so it can work safely and be accessed easily for a Boiler Service. Air vents, grilles and flues must be kept free from blockages. If you have a very old boiler and are concerned about its positioning, we can advise.
If you have concerns about your boiler performance or gas safety, it’s best to act swiftly…
If you feel your Boiler is not running correctly do not be tempted to remove the case. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer is legally qualified to remove a Boiler casing. If you think there might be a problem with your boiler, you’ll need to call a Gas Safe registered Engineer. It’s easy to forget that gas can be extremely dangerous and leaks can lead to fires, explosions and Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
