Why is it better to service a boiler in summer than winter?

Chances are, as you’re enjoying the warm summer months by relaxing in the sun or eating al fresco, you won’t give your boiler service a second thought. But should you? Is a summer boiler service something to think about?

Is an annual boiler service necessary?

Before we take a look at the advantages of booking a summer boiler service, it’s worth finding out how often to service the boiler and why carrying out a service each year can be beneficial.

How often is it best to service a boiler?

First, an annual boiler service is usually a condition of a boiler’s warranty. So, to make sure your boiler stays in warranty, you need to make sure you have a yearly service booked in for that added protection.

Aside from this, the main reasons to get your boiler serviced annually are to ensure your boiler’s operating safely and efficiently. A service should be carried out by a qualified and registered heating engineer – Gas Safe-registered for gas boilers and OFTEC-registered for oil boilers.

A standard boiler service involves a series of visual inspections and tests. These are designed to ensure that your boiler is safe and functioning properly.

How long does a boiler service take?

It might sound like it could take a while to complete an annual boiler service. However, if you keep on top of your inspections, these assessments and tests can take as little as an hour to complete on a standalone boiler.

There are instances where it might take longer. For example, if faults are found, it might take some time for the engineer to work out what work needs to be carried out. Another example of where things can run over an hour is when your boiler is hard to reach, like a back boiler behind a gas fire appliance. Here, the engineer may need more time to access the boiler and properly assess it.

How much does it cost to service a boiler?

Another reason to make sure your annual boiler service is booked in is to keep costs down. A one-off inspection can cost around £60 to £70, and wear and tear that goes unchecked can lead to expensive issues later on.

Therefore, when asking yourself if it’s worth having it checked unless something has gone wrong, you’re likely to find that it’s more expensive to hold off until your boiler becomes faulty. An annual boiler service is ultimately cheaper than having to replace the boiler itself.

4 reasons why it is better to choose a summer boiler service

So, we know that getting our boiler checked annually has many advantages. But when is the best time to get the boiler serviced? Here, we bring you four reasons to consider choosing a summer boiler service over having it assessed in the winter months.

1. Convenience

Many heating engineers are short of work during the quieter summer period. This is because boilers are not typically used as much as the heating isn’t needed, so the number of breakdowns is much smaller in comparison to the winter months. Whether the engineer is an independent operator or part of a larger firm, they are more likely to give you the time and date you want for your boiler service appointment at this warmer time of year.

If you leave your annual boiler service until winter, you’re more likely to find that waiting times are longer for your regular check. Engineers have to prioritise emergency boiler repairs from autumn onwards, as more people switch on their heating for the first time in a while. You may end up having to go with a time that’s inconvenient for you in order to get your boiler assessed.

Also, this is holiday time for the kids so it makes sense to opt for a summer boiler service while you are off work with the children during the break. This will mean you don’t have to think about booking off time from work in the winter to make sure you’re around for the boiler service.

2. Cost

Potential cost savings are also possible to achieve by having a summer boiler service. Discounts are given by many companies because scheduling boiler service appointments in the less busy, warmer months, provides the heating engineers with a steady workstream. There is less unproductive downtime, which makes economic sense for heating companies and independent heating engineers.

If your next question is ‘how much does it cost to service a boiler?’ you’ll find it depends on whether you are using an individual heating engineer or a large firm. Whether you are having a one-off boiler service or taking out a boiler service plan is also something that you’ll need to factor in when budgeting for your boiler check.

Boiler cover with Hometree includes an annual boiler service and is the most cost-effective way of financing your yearly appointment.

3. Efficiency

Your boiler’s efficiency will be checked as part of the annual boiler service. If your boiler is not running efficiently, it may use more fuel, resulting in higher fuel bills. The Gas Safe or OFTEC-registered heating engineer will check the boiler’s efficiency, and corrections or repairs may be made or suggested if the boiler is not running optimally.

If you choose a summer boiler service, the checks are carried out when your boiler is not being used for central heating, so any efficiency deficits can be rectified before it’s needed for the drop in temperature. This means you’ll have a more efficient boiler during the winter months, giving you access to potential energy savings, and potentially lower fuel bills.

4. Early Fault Detection

Just like cars, boilers need regular maintenance. If you don’t use your boiler in the summer when it is too warm for central heating, you could risk important parts of your boiler seizing, or even pipes corroding, through lack of use. Your boiler needs to be run periodically, even when it is not used daily, to make sure all the internal components are working.

One of the ways to combat this problem is to have a gas boiler summer service, or if you use oil an oil boiler service, when your boiler is not in regular use. This will allow for your boiler to be ignited, giving it a chance to run and avoid the problems above.

Choosing a summer boiler service will also identify any potential problems that could lead to breakdown when the boiler is being used at its full capacity during the winter. Any problems identified by the engineer can be corrected in the summer months with minimum disruption for you. It is far easier to have your boiler repaired, or even replaced, when it is warmer than in the depths of winter, when you may have to use additional expensive heating methods or temporarily move out of your home.

Servicing your boiler in summer has many benefits and while the weather’s warmer it makes sense to book in a check. You could save money and find that you have a cosy, trouble-free winter.

Get a free boiler service with Hometree Boiler Cover

Here at Hometree, we offer an annual boiler service as part of our care plans. The plan can also cover you for boiler breakdowns and repairs. Natural gas boilers, as well as combination, regular and system boilers, are included in our cover packages.

The Hometree annual boiler service includes the following as standard:

• Visual boiler checks
• Boiler opened and inspected
• Ventilation gas safety checks and flue gas efficiency test
• A visual check is made of the hot water cylinder
• The system pressure is checked
• Radiators are checked visually, and bleeding is carried out if appropriate

All boiler services are carried out by registered Gas Safe heating engineers. Give us a call on 0330 912 4843 to find out more.