It’s not the news you want to get from your boiler engineer – Especially if you only called them out for your annual boiler service or to fix a niggling fault.

Whilst it can be frustrating and possibly even a bit scary – The good news is that any safety issues have been identified and you can keep you and your family protected in your home.

What does it mean if your boiler had been condemned?

Firstly let’s take a look at what it actually means to have had your boiler condemned.

In short, it means that a registered Gas Safe engineer has deemed your boiler unsafe to use.

This could be something as simple as not having adequate ventilation. However, it could also mean that dangerous fumes such as carbon monoxide are leaking from your appliance in which case it is a very seriously issue that needs resolving straight away.

Your boiler engineer will do everything they can to identify the cause of the problem and fix it. If however they cannot find the cause of the issue, they will not leave until it has been made safe, either by disconnecting the gas supply or turning the boiler off.

A condemned boiler that is unsafe to use will have a ‘Danger Do Not Use’ warning label affixed to it. This is in accordance with the GIUSP (Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure).

Are you unsure as to whether your boiler should indeed be condemned? You may have read scare stories in the media about companies condemning boilers simply so they can try to sell you a new one. If you are concerned about this, then you could consider getting a second opinion. Bear in mind that you may have to pay an additional call-out fee to another heating engineer. Always make sure they are Gas Safe registered.

If your boiler has been condemned and your boiler engineer believes that it poses an immediate to danger to life if it continues to be used, then they will disconnect it and tell you not to use it until the fault has been resolved. Should you not want the engineer to go ahead and disconnect it, they are still legally obliged to report the boiler to the Gas Emergency Service Provider (ESP). They legally have the power to enter your property, with force if necessary, to ensure the situation is safe, including disconnecting your gas supply.

Occasionally, someone from the Gas ESP may come to your property to inspect a suspected gas leak. If they are not 100% certain that the boiler is safe to use, then they can also condemn your boiler with a ‘Danger Do Not Use’ tag. In this scenario, you will need to contact a Gas Safe engineer to come and inspect the boiler and get it back into safe working order. You will not be able to use the boiler until you have done this.

My Boiler Has Been Condemned – What Do I Do Next?

So it’s been condemned – What do you do next?

1. Don’t panic!

If you’ve hired a Gas Safe engineer, then you can be confident that they have done everything in order to make the boiler safe i.e. turned it off and / or disconnected the gas supply. Have a look at the notes the engineer has written, with any recommendations for repair or replacement.

2. Get some quotes

Regardless of whether it’s a new boiler that you need or one or more repairs on your current appliance, you’ll need to think about getting some quotes from a reputable supplier. Here at Aura Heating all of our engineers are Gas Safe registered and work locally across the South Coast.

3. Find the right boiler for your home and heating needs

Thankfully there are many different types of boiler on the market, so you’ll be able to match the right type to your home and heating needs. Modern boilers are very efficient, so you may even find that despite having to pay for a new boiler you’ll start to save money each month on your heating bills. They also tend to come with extensive warranties to protect your investment. Head to our website where you can get a free boiler quote.

Can I Still Sell My House If My Boiler is Condemned?

If you are trying to sell your home and discover your boiler is not in working order and it becomes condemned, then you can still go ahead and sell it. However, you do need to make your estate agent and any prospective buyer aware that the boiler has been condemned and needs either repairing or replacing. This could have an impact on the asking price, but you can get into lots of trouble if you try to hide this information.

You will likely be advised that repairing or replacing the boiler before you sell your home is the best option. Selling a property with a new boiler can actually increase the value of your home by up to £8000, when the cost of replacing it is usually around £2,500.

How Can You Take Care of Your Boiler to Avoid Having it Condemned?

You’ll be pleased to know that there are things you can do to avoid having your boiler condemned! Here’s a handy list.

• Don’t put off replacing a faulty, old boiler
  You may think that you’re saving yourself money by not paying out for a new boiler, but not only will you likely have to pay to call out heating engineers and get it repaired, you’ll also likely be paying higher energy bills due to inefficiency. Whilst a new boiler is a large amount of money to pay, it is will probably save you money on your bills in the long run. You should be considering a new boiler if it’s between 10 and 15 years old, or you’re having to get it repaired often.
• Call the experts
  Whatever work you are carrying out on your boiler – From having a replacement installed, to having repairs – Always use a professional heating engineer that is Gas Safe registered.
• Keep up with regular boiler services

Make sure you have your boiler services once a year by a Gas Safe registered heating professional. This is one of the best ways to keep your boiler in good working order for the longest time possible. When a heating engineer is carrying out a service, they will likely spot any potential issues before they start to cause problems. An annual service is also a requirement for boiler warranties. An annual boiler service is key keeping your boiler healthy for the longest possible time. The summer is a great time to get your boiler serviced – Not only is there likely to be more availability, you can also be confident that by the time winter comes, you boiler is ready to keep your home cosy and warm.

A condemned boiler doesn’t have to be the end of the world. The most important things are not to panic and to follow the recommendations your boiler engineer has made for repairs or replacement.

If your boiler has recently been condemned, and it is very old and you’re worried this could happen to yours, then give our friendly team a call. One of our expert heating engineers can come and take a look and recommend the best course of action – From repairs to boiler replacements.