Most homes in the UK are heated by some kind of boiler, whether it’s oil or gas fired. Whilst boilers are generally reliable, they can go wrong and if left untouched will become less efficient. Regular boiler servicing is therefore essential. But what is involved with a boiler service? What should you expect when the engineer arrives?
Why Service?
If you neglect boiler maintenance, it can lead to higher fuel costs due to the system becoming less efficient. But there are more serious potential problems too. If not correctly maintained, a boiler can end up costing you significant sums and could also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if gas isn’t being burned properly and may also cause a fire.
Having your boiler serviced once a year by a qualified GasSafe Engineer can ensure that you avoid these problems and keep everything running smoothly. The cost of regular boiler service contracts isn’t high and more than repays itself in extra peace of mind.
Most boilers don’t work as hard during the summer, so if they’re going to go wrong it’s going to happen in the autumn as the weather turns cooler and neglected heating circuits are suddenly brought back to life. It’s therefore a good idea to have your boiler serviced in spring or summer to prepare for the winter. This has the added bonus that service engineers are likely to be less busy at this time.
What Happens at a Service
As part of a regular boiler servicing regime, the engineer will do a number of different things to ensure that your heating system is in good working order and operating safely. First of all, they’ll inspect the system and its controls to make sure that everything is working correctly. This includes examining the casing and making sure it’s securely fitted. The boiler itself will also be checked for signs of corrosion and leakage.
The engineer will take the casing off and check all of the boiler’s components. They’ll usually remove the main burner and make sure that it’s clean. Tests will be carried out on the gas pressure to ensure that it’s correct. The flue gasses will also be checked to ensure that the boiler is operating cleanly and efficiently with no unsafe emissions.
After carrying out out the checks, the boiler will be reassembled and the casing checked and properly sealed. Peripheral parts of the system like pumps and motorised valves should also be checked for correct operation.
If you have any additional components fitted on your system, such as a magnetic filter to remove corrosion particles from the water, this should also be checked and cleaned out at each service. The engineer should also check the level of corrosion inhibitor, which helps to prevent a buildup of sludge.
Regular servicing not only provides you with peace of mind, but it can also help prolong the life of your system and ultimately save you money on expensive repairs. You can arrange a boiler service with Aura Heating by clicking here.