5 reasons you should get your boiler serviced this winter

Are you one of the many people failing to have your boiler serviced every year?

Boiler servicing is something that’s often overlooked. People are either too busy or they forget to book it in and some don’t think a gas boiler service is even necessary.

Truth is having an annual boiler service is important and could benefit you in several ways.

We’d usually recommend that homeowners and landlords plan to book their boiler service in the summer months. Gas engineers aren’t as busy in the summer, as fewer people are using their boilers to heat their homes, resulting in fewer breakdowns. Sometimes this means they offer discounts and deals, helping you to save money. It’s also a good idea to have your boiler serviced in the summer, as it will prepare it for heating your home during the cold winter months.

However, if you have missed out on having your boiler serviced in the summer, don’t panic! There’s still time to book your boiler service this winter and it’ll still prove very beneficial to you and those living in your home.

Here we’ve shared our top five reasons why you should get your boiler serviced this winter…

1. Keep your family safe and warm

Did you know that figures from the Department of Health show that 4000 people end up in A&E every year with carbon monoxide poisoning? The most common cause of poisoning is when a gas appliance, such as a boiler is installed incorrectly or hasn’t been properly maintained.

One of the advantages of having your boiler serviced this winter is that it will undergo an emissions check. This means the gas engineer will check to see if the boiler is leaking any harmful gasses, such as carbon monoxide that could potentially cause harm to you and those living in your property.

They will also perform several safety checks on your boiler to ensure it has been installed properly and is running as it should, giving you total peace of mind.

Along with helping to keep your family safe, a gas boiler and central heating service will also reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns. You can feel comforted knowing that your boiler should be able to meet your heating needs throughout the winter when you’ll likely need it the most.

2. Get boiler serviced to reduce your heating bills

We won’t beat around the bush – servicing your boiler isn’t free and is likely to cost you between £60-£80. As we said before, you may be able to get it a little cheaper in the summer months and you may even get it discounted or free if you take out boiler cover.

Some people see boiler servicing as a waste of money but we’d argue it can actually help you save money in the long run. You see, regularly servicing your boiler will help to improve both its efficiency and reliability. The more efficiently your boiler runs, the less you’ll pay for your heating and the more reliable your boiler is, the longer it will last.

The model of your boiler and how old it is will largely affect how efficiently it can run. However, an experienced and qualified gas engineer will be able to advise you on how to run it most efficiently, so it costs less to run and keeps your energy bills to the absolute minimum.

3. Meet the requirements of your boiler guarantee or warranty

Another important reason why you should get your boiler serviced this winter is to meet the requirements of your guarantee or warranty. Boiler warranties and guarantees often state that you must have your boiler serviced every year for your policy to remain valid.

If you have missed out on having it serviced in the summer months, it’s worth booking a boiler service this winter. Failure to do so could void your boiler warranty or guarantee.

Take a look at the terms and conditions of your policy. If an annual boiler service is necessary, get one booked in as soon as possible. Start by searching online for a gas boiler service near me and get a few quotes.

4. Save money on expensive boiler repairs

Boilers that aren’t serviced regularly are more likely to break down.

Even if you haven’t used your boiler much during the summer months, it could still have underlying issues. It’s likely, you just won’t notice them until you’re using your boiler more in the winter and by that time it could be too late.

No matter how small a boiler problem is, if you ignore it, it’ll only get worse (and more expensive to fix.) Having an annual service carried out allows gas engineers to spot any tiny issues and fix them before they escalate and cause serious damage to your boiler.

It’s much more cost-effective to pay for a gas boiler service than to pay for parts of your boiler to be repaired or replaced. It also definitely costs less than having to replace your entire boiler with a newer model.

Servicing your boiler regularly can also increase its life. The longer it remains in good working condition, the more you’ll get for your money and the longer you can put off forking out for a new boiler.

5. It’s the law for landlords

Landlords are legally required to have the boilers in their rented properties serviced annually. They must also have gas safety checks carried out on flues and gas appliances they own too. The only things they aren’t legally responsible for is gas appliances that are owned by tenants and are not connected to the boiler or flues belonging to the landlord.

Only qualified gas engineers who are registered with Gas Safe must carry out boiler services and gas safety checks. You will need to get a Landlord Gas Safety certificate (previously known as a CP12) and a copy must be issued to tenants and prospective tenants too.

How long does a boiler service take?

Good questions! It’s usually around 20-30 minutes so won’t disturb any tenants living in your properties for long.

If it’s time for a boiler check, it’s best to get it booked in now. Not only will it ensure you’re meeting your legal obligations as a landlord but also reduce the likelihood of your tenants having problems with their heating this winter.

Save money on your gas boiler service with Hometree

Now you know why it’s important to get your boiler serviced every year, you’re probably wondering where you can find the best deal?

Save money by taking out boiler care with Hometree. We offer combi boiler cover, along with bespoke policies for regular and system boilers too. You’ll also receive an annual boiler service as part of your boiler cover plan.

Get a quote online today or give our team a call on 0330 912 4843 to find out more.