What time of year should I book my boiler service?

Having your boiler serviced: it’s one of those deceptively minor things that we can quite easily forget to do. However, keeping your boiler in top shape is pretty important to save you from having a miserable period without it. Especially in the run-up to Christmas, the idea of not having a working boiler over the festive season doesn’t bear thinking about. On a more serious note, not having your boiler serviced on at least an annual basis can lead to potentially dangerous problems.

On the other hand, there are actually a host of benefits you can gain from having your boiler regularly looked at by a professional - some you may not have realised. However, you may have questions like ‘when is the best time to get a service?’ or ‘how many times a year should I have a service?’ For those not in the know, it can be a little daunting when it comes to recognising how to best deal with your boiler. Because of this, we at West London Gas have put together a handy guide on servicing your boiler, so you’ll never be stuck in a cold home again.

Annual boiler services are a minimum

When it comes to boiler servicing, as a standard, you should be remembering to have your model looked at once a year. In having annual servicing, you can be sure that your boiler is comfortably ticking over and that any nagging problems that may have been affecting your system are ironed out. A service has the added benefit of keeping your boiler within warranty. Most warranties will likely be voided without a regular service so it is in your best interest to keep on top of it. There are also legal responsibilities for those that are responsible for properties. Landlords, for example, are legally required to conduct regular boiler servicing in any and all of their tenancies under the Landlord and Tenant Act (1984). In not doing so, you are putting your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate at risk. Whatever the case, making sure your boiler is annually serviced is essential to keeping your home safe, heated and comfortable.

Aside from an annual boiler service, there may be other reasons you need an inspection at other times during the year. Moving house is a prime example of when having a service may be necessary. When moving into a new property, you may not know when the last boiler inspection took place so it’s best practice to have a professional service to check out any problems from the previous owner.

It’s vital to make sure not to simply wait until your next service date if problems start to occur. If you begin noticing anything unusual with your boiler, it’s imperative to seek help from a professional.

The best time of year for a boiler service

Understanding that you need a boiler servicing is half the battle when it comes to keeping your heating installation running at optimum efficiency. We’ve all heard the horror stories of friends and family having their boilers breakdown at the most inopportune and, usually, coldest moments, leaving them with a hefty bill from an emergency plumber and a miserable few days without heating.

Because of this, it makes sense to have your boiler serviced in the warmer months, especially July, August or early September where a specialist can fix up any problems in preparation for the Winter. The main benefit from this is that if you have any issues that require your heating to be switched off, you won’t be stuck in a freezing cold home. It’s also especially useful to have your service around this time as it’s usually a quieter time for plumbers, meaning less waiting times and a cheaper average rate.

Although it’s useful to service your boiler in the summer, make sure to be prepared if a problem occurs during winter. Having a quality emergency heating engineer on hand can keep you covered all year round. Whatever your reasons, making sure to service your boiler in the summer can save you from a big headache come winter time.

What are the benefits of a gas boiler service?

Aside from the immediate benefits of having your boiler serviced before the winter months, there are also a few extra uses from them. For example, a service can actually end up saving you money in the long-run. A comprehensive service on your boiler can actually improve its efficiency by around 15%, meaning a greener home and a reduction in your energy bills.

Finally, a service can keep you and your family safe. Boilers have the potential to be extremely dangerous and can pose serious risks if not properly inspected. Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the more acute issues that can affect you and those you live with. As a tasteless, odourless gas, carbon monoxide accounts for around 60 deaths a year in the UK and Wales; a service by a qualified engineer can catch any leakages before they pose a serious risk so it’s always good to check.

Working with a quality engineer 

When having your boiler serviced, it’s essential to work with specialists in the field of heating and gas engineering. Your boiler is a complex piece of equipment so working with subpar contractors can lead to more problems than you started with. Therefore, there are a few checks you can make when looking to invest in a quality service.

For starters, it’s good to check that your engineer is, at the minimum, on the Gas Safe register. Gas and heating engineers need to be on the Gas Safe register by law in order to legally operate and repair your boiler. You can check to see if your engineer is on the register by checking the Gas Safe website, however, you can also ask to check an engineers gas safety certificate to give you extra piece of mind. Some engineers will also have other qualifications that can give you a better understanding of their quality, such as a City and Guild certificate or a relevant NVQ.

Another way to verify you’re working with a professional is to spend some time checking reviews from previous customers. Websites such as Feefo and Which’s Trusted Traders reviews are some of the larger trades review sites. Get an understanding of a companies previous work by looking at these websites to see if you’re going to be getting a quality job done.

Finally, check to see what your chosen engineer can offer you aside from a boiler servicing. A quality engineer can offer a range of services and will have the skills for boiler installation, central heating repairs and a host of others. So working with someone that can cover all bases can be a real help when it comes to keeping your heating in good nick.

West London Gas - Premium Gas and Heating Engineers

Having a quality boiler service can save you both on money and a host of problems further down the line so if you’re looking to get a quality inspection, make sure you’re investing in the best. At West London Gas, we have been supplying the South West London area with quality heating solutions, from boiler and central heating installation to breakdown repairs to help you out when disaster strikes.

Whether you’re a customer or business, we have the skills and knowledge necessary to keep your heating systems running at peak performance, and with our glowing reviews on Feefo and Which? you can be sure that you’re in the best of hands for your gas and heating solutions.

For more information and a free quote on our services, visit our website or speak to a member of our team on 020 8434 3644.