The short answer is once a year. Every boiler manufacturer recommends an annual service by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and most make it a condition of the warranty.
Why every 12 months?
- Safety: a service checks the boiler is burning gas safely and the flue is clearing fumes, which protects you from carbon monoxide
- Warranty: miss a service and many manufacturers can refuse a warranty claim
- Efficiency: a clean, well set-up boiler uses less gas
- Fewer breakdowns: worn seals, scaled parts and failing components are spotted early, usually before winter
Rules for landlords
If you let a property, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require a gas safety check on every gas appliance every 12 months, with a copy of the record given to your tenants. A gas safety check is not the same as a full service, but the two can be done in the same visit.
Oil, LPG and heat pumps
Oil and LPG boilers also need servicing every year. Air source heat pumps need an annual service too, and it is usually needed to keep the manufacturer's warranty valid.
What happens during a service?
- Visual check of the boiler, flue and pipework
- Testing gas pressure and combustion with a flue gas analyser
- Cleaning key parts and checking seals
- Checking the safety devices and controls
- A written record for your warranty and home file
When is the best time?
Any time of year is fine, but late spring and summer are easiest to book and mean any problems are fixed before the cold weather.
How much does it cost?
A standard boiler service with Phoenix is £95. A boiler service with a gas safety check is £130, and a gas safety check on its own is £66. You can also spread the cost with Phoenix Home Care from £5.75 a month.
Phoenix Plumbing & Heating is a Gas Safe registered team based in Maidstone, covering Kent with 24/7 emergency cover. Call 01622 585169 or book online and one of our engineers will find the fault and give you a clear price before any work starts.