Why should I get my boiler serviced?

As winter approaches are there any essential purchases for your home that you should make? A new carpet or perhaps a new TV for Christmas? Whilst both of these are undoubtedly worth having, what happens if your gas central heating stops working because of a boiler breakdown? Are you prepared to be cold and miserable in the freezing winter months? Have you a contingency fund for an emergency boiler repair, or an even more expensive bill for a new boiler? If the answer is no, perhaps taking out boiler cover should be your priority this winter.

Boiler cover is an important household purchase. Below, we outline the pros of having a gas boiler cover package. If your budget is tight will a cheap boiler cover package meet your needs?

Why you should get boiler cover for your gas boiler

Boiler cover protects you against the risk of your gas boiler breaking down. We all use more gas central heating in the colder months of the year and this is the time when your boiler is most likely to breakdown. If you haven’t had your annual boiler service, the likelihood of your boiler breaking down is increased.

Boiler cover usually includes:

• Gas boiler protection
• Boiler controls
• Flue
• Annual boiler service

The age of the boiler is an important consideration when assessing the risk of breakdowns. Many boiler cover providers insist that they carry out a boiler service prior to the boiler being accepted for boiler insurance. The age limit varies according to the company providing the boiler cover, and it is advisable to compare boiler cover.

Many of the best boiler cover packages offer a discount on a new boiler if your existing boiler is irreparable.

Cheap boiler cover should still cover the main boiler components listed above but will not usually include the cost of an annual boiler service. The cost of an annual boiler service varies depending on the time of year and the size of the company. An ad hoc boiler service may cost between £65 – £85. Most boiler manufacturers insist on an annual boiler service for their manufacturer’s warranty to be valid. This is usually an unavoidable cost and one you need to consider when you compare boiler cover. Cheaper boiler cover, may not be as cost-effective as it first appears.

An average call-out charge for boiler cover excess is £60. The average
reduction in the cost of the boiler cover is just over twice the average call-out fee or excess.

Boiler cover varies in cost, as a brief internet search will reveal.

Important Information

Some providers offer insured plans to look after your Boiler and Heating and other home services like plumbing, drains and electrics, whereas other providers offer non-insured plans. An insured plan will be underwritten by an insurer and also regulated by the [Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)](https://www.fca.org.uk/). Non-insured plans are not backed by an insurer and are not regulated by the FCA. Often non-insured or maintenance plans include an annual service of the equipment covered, whereas these may or may not be included in insured plans.

Boiler cover is important to avoid being without heat in cold periods and unexpected bills due to faulty boilers wasting energy. What happens if there is a problem with the non-boiler part of your central heating i.e. cylinders, heating pipework and radiators? Is it worth paying a little more and investing in the central heating cover?

Central heating cover vs Boiler cover: Which is best?

Central heating cover offers protection for your gas central heating system as well as your boiler.

The boiler is only one part of the central heating system, which is why it’s important to ensure that the rest of your heating system is protected. Everything from your pipework to hot water cylinder is protected with central heating cover, unlike boiler cover which only includes your boiler, controls and annual boiler service.

Hometree also offer central heating care, which can be found here.