Why should I service my boiler?

Many of you might see an annual gas boiler service as an unnecessary expense, but a poorly maintained gas/oil boiler or a dirty chimney could prove dangerous to you and your family, especially from leaking Carbon Monoxide.

Your Gas/Oil Boiler and Central Heating System, just like your car, need a little care from time to time to ensure that they are running as they should be. And, just like your car's MOT, the primary reasons for this are efficiency and Safety.

Boiler servicing and efficiency

By servicing your Gas/Oil boiler you may well save money by having this done on a regular basis. The main reason for this is that deposits build up inside the boiler and central heating system which reduce the efficiency of the system, which means higher bills for you! An annual service from QuoteMyService.co.uk will include a thorough clean of any dirty parts or deposits, bringing your boiler's efficiency level back up.

During the service, our engineer will be checking:

• your appliance is burning correctly and not producing excessive Carbon Monoxide
• harmful gases are being removed from the appliance safely to the air outside (via the flue)
• that any ventilation routes are clear and work properly
• all the safety devices are working
• the flue or chimney serving the appliances is safe
• there is a good supply of combustion air (ventilation) to appliances
• to make sure appliances are on the right setting and are burning correctly
• appliances are operating correctly and are safe to use
• For Oil (as above) plus the nozzle will be changed, pump pressure checked and burner cleaned and inspected as per OFTEC form CD11

Service certificates

After your appliance has been serviced, your engineer will give you a service certificate. This certificate tells you that the appliance is safe and the work meets the correct standards and regulations (Gas Safe or OFTEC).

Signs that your appliances need servicing

Look out for warnings signs that show your gas appliances need to be serviced:

• Your gas appliance is not working properly
• Your appliance is burning with a lazy yellow or orange flame instead of a crisp blue flame
• You can see soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances
• If gas, the pilot light keeps going out
• There is increased condensation inside windows
• The Oil burner is beginning to make noises
• The Oil burner keeps going to 'lock out'

If you notice any of these signs or anything else that is unusual, get QuoteMyService.co.uk engineers to check as soon as possible.

To Conclude

Not only is a regular, annual boiler service essential to ensure that any issues developing are discovered and dealt with quickly and efficiently at less inconvenience to yourself, it is also essential for safety, energy efficiency, and ensuring you get the longest life from your boiler. Consider fitting an audible carbon monoxide alarm.