Boiler Service Checklist

Did you know? More than 3 million UK households have never had a boiler service, and 15% of homeowners are not sure if their boiler is in or out of warranty.  This information, according to the Benchmark Steering Group may come as a surprise considering the health and safety aspects of boiler maintenance.

• Boiler Warranty: What you should know

Why have a boiler serviced?

Although homeowners may feel the cost to be excessive, an annual boiler service can help keep you and your family safe by checking for invisible carbon monoxide leaks. It prolongs the life of the boiler and maintains its efficiency which will keep your bills lower.  You also get a boiler service certificate to prove your boiler has been thoroughly checked.

How often should a boiler be serviced?

A boiler service should be carried out once a year, to ensure it is operating safely and efficiently. Most warranties say a boiler must be serviced every year after installation to keep it valid for the lifetime of the warranty period. Annual servicing can help prevent further problems later on.

How long does a boiler service take?

A boiler service will last anywhere between 30 minutes to 60 minutes depending on what the initial checks reveal. Visual and gas analyser checks will show what needs to be worked on. If boiler service parts need to be cleaned or replaced, it will take nearer to one hour. You should get a report after the boiler service has been completed.

The report will look something like the below image:

Here, we look at the main checks done during a boiler service.

• Boiler checks before buying a new house

Boiler Service Checklist

During the annual boiler service, the engineer will carry out a visual inspection of the appliance to confirm it meets all the relevant standards and the manufacturer’s instructions.  This includes the meter and the pipework all the way to the boiler.  They will then check the following:

Visual safety inspection

Make a note of the boiler location and other gas appliances in the property, making sure the ventilation requirements are met. Check the pipework and the flue pipe of the boiler ending at the termination.

Start up and operation

Start the appliance and confirm ignition, checking the flame in the boiler looks good which shows the start up sequence is functioning correctly.

Open up the boiler casing and check all safety devices and thermostats are working correctly.

Pressure readings and electrical tests

Take gas pressure readings to check the right amount of gas is coming into the boiler and it’s using the gas safely and efficiently.

Take combustion readings with a flue gas analyser and also check the flue pipe for leaks and blockages. Check the terminal is clear and according to regulations.

Carry out electrical wiring tests on the appliance.

Clean main boiler components

Check and clean any parts required such as the heat exchanger and the condensate trap. Check the expansion vessel is properly charged.

Re light and check controls

Refit the casing and check seals and screws are securely tightened

Relight the boiler to check operation and controls are all working to the manufacturer’s parameters.

Boiler service certificate

Hand the boiler service certificate to the customer with the result of the checks.  If you have the manual, the engineer may fill the form in there.  You can keep this information for future inspections and to help if any repairs are required in future.

Inform customer

Let the customer know what has been found and highlight this on the records. Ask if the customer understands the correct operation of the appliance.

• What to look for in a new boiler

Benefits of an annual boiler service

1. Ensure the boiler is functioning safely.
2. Pick up any potential issues early on. So there aren’t bigger faults and repairs needed in future.
3. Help maintain efficient running of the boiler. Which will keep energy costs to a minimum.
4. Keeps the warranty on the boiler valid.
5. Keeps a home insurance policy valid. If something goes wrong with the boiler that causes a fire, gas or water leak.
6. Landlords are obliged to have a safety check done annually on all gas appliances. The boiler service certificate must be kept as proof for at least 2 years to show a history of compliance.

Hometree offers a complete home care package which includes looking after your boiler and heating. Be sure to check them out.

How much does it cost to have a boiler service in 2022?

We’ve found that an annual one-off boiler service can cost anywhere from £40 to £120.  The table below shows an average cost in different parts of the country based on our own research.

City	Cost of boiler service
Leicester	£60
Birmingham	£80
London	£100
Manchester	£70
Cardiff	£60
Glasgow	£60
Newcastle	£70

A faulty boiler can be extremely dangerous and is potentially a silent killer if not working correctly, so ensure you continue to service your boiler annually.  When it comes to gas safety, having your gas appliances checked annually by a registered engineer also means you won’t risk invalidating your insurance by continuing to use appliances that have developed a fault.