Boiler Service Costs in 2023

What is a Boiler Service?

A boiler service is a check up on your boiler, similar to what you would do with your car, it’s just a way in which an engineer or plumber can make sure everything is in order – and to ensure it stays that way.

It’s important to check for any risks of gas leak and protect you from costly boiler replacements down the line. If you find a boiler service once a year, this will not only prevent risks but keep the warranty on your boiler valid.

What Does a Boiler Service Include?

It’s best to check with the engineer or plumber to find out specifically what to expect. The service will depend on which company you go with and the price you pay.

It could range from a basic boiler check to a full service.

But to give you an idea, a qualified expert will usually want to test the following:

• Boiler Controls

• Gas and Pressure Flow

• Internal Main Components

• Combustion Releases

• Safety Devices

• Water and Gas Pipework

• Electrical Connections

• Seals

The engineer will be there to identify any sign of corrosion or leaks, as well as clean any boiler parts if required.

This ensures your boiler will keep your home heated for longer.

How Much Does a Boiler Service Cost?

The amount you pay out for a boiler service will depend on who carries out the service and if any repairs need to be made.

There are two ways to pay for a boiler service:

1. A one off payment every time your boiler is serviced

2. Take out boiler cover that includes boiler servicing

Cost of Boiler Repairs

If the engineer spots a fault when being serviced, then you’ll have to pay for the repair costs in addition to the servicing price. But if you’ve taken out boiler cover then the cost of repairs is usually covered in your policy, meaning you won’t have to pay. The average cost of repairing a boiler is £100 to £500 depending on the kind of problem and includes parts and labour costs.

Here is a breakdown of some of the boiler parts and the cost of fixing. These prices are only intended as a guide, how much you end up paying will depend on the model of the boiler, how old it is and the expert carrying out the repair.

These costs include the price of labour but you may also need to pay a call-out charge if you arrange an emergency boiler repair. The most important thing is a reputable company that uses Gas Safe accredited engineers to come do your repairs.

How To Tell If There is Something Wrong with Your Boiler

Apart from any obvious signs of concern, such as no hot water or heating, there are other things to look out for that may indicate your boiler might not be working properly. Here are a few things to look out for:

• Is the flame on your boiler orange or yellow instead of blue?

• Are they any loud noises or clanking sounds coming from your boiler?

• Is the pressure continuously up and down when it should be steady?

• Is your boiler’s gas or oil usage unusually high?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions then you should get an engineer to inspect your boiler immediately.

What Does An Annual Boiler Service Include?

An annual boiler service will usually entail an engineer visiting your home and performing a series of routine checks on your system. This takes around 30 minutes to complete.

Here are a few checks that an engineer will carry out:

• A visual inspection to look out for signs of corrosion or leaks

• Check all the parts and controls are working properly and a standard clean

• Check your boiler’s flue which is the duct that removes smoke and waste gases generated by your boiler

• Fire up the boiler and have a look at its pressure to ensure that it’s correct

Once the checks have been done, the engineer will give you a list of what’s been worked on and if there’s any issues.

If you’d like certain things to be explained, don’t be afraid to ask the engineer and they should be happy to explain it further. If you're considering your new boiler, you can visit our guide on new boiler costs.

Who Should Service Your Boiler?

Boilers should only ever be serviced by a professional and it is not a job you can do yourself. Depending on the type of boiler, you’ll need to use an engineer with the appropriate qualifications:

• For gas boilers you must use a Gas Safe registered engineer.

• For an oil boiler you must use an OFTEC registered engineer.

• For a coal or wood-fire boiler: you should always use a HETAS registered engineer.

If you’re ever unsure if an engineer is fully certified, you should ask them for proof or you can check online with sites like the Gas Safe Register which tell you if a person is qualified.

Summary

This should now hopefully give you all the information you need on a boiler service and the boiler service costs. A regular boiler service will help keep your boiler up and running so that you wont ever have to experience the pain of it breaking down. If you can't remember the last time you had your boiler serviced or if you've never had a boiler service, it's probably time to call an engineer and ensure your boiler is all working the way it should.

If you're thinking of purchasing a new boiler, you can visit our best boilers of 2023 or if you'd like one of our professionals to get in touch, just enter a few details and we'll take care of the rest.