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Servicing your boiler: what to know

installer looking inside of a boiler

Your boiler is one of the most important appliances in your home as it can provide you with both heat and hot water at your convenience.

Even if everything appears to be working correctly, it’s entirely possible that your boiler could be operating inefficiently, leading to loss of heating performance and long-term issues.

Making sure you get your boiler serviced annually can help it stay in top condition and, help to maintain its efficiency.

Why do I need to service my boiler?

Most boiler manufacturers recommend that you get your boiler serviced once a year. We recommend having your boiler serviced in the summer so your boiler is ready and prepared for the cold, winter months.

The point of a boiler service is to make sure your boiler and heating system is still working efficiently and is safe. It's a requirement to have a certified gas-safe engineer to come and inspect your heating system. Upon arrival, your engineer will complete a full check of the boiler and its functions, making sure you can be safe in the knowledge you’re fully prepared for the cold, winter months.

If you don’t get your boiler serviced in line with your manufacturer's guidelines, your warranty could be impacted and it may even invalidate any home insurance. ; iIf you had to make a claim due to a problem with the boiler, such as a leak or flood, the service history could be used as information. Furthermore, if you’re a landlord of a property, you have a legal obligation to service any gas appliances as required by the manufacturer under The Landlord and Tenant Act (1985).

To check when your boiler has last had a service, use our free myVAILLANT web portal to register your details and to manage your service information.

people sat round table talking, man in blue jumper reading

Can servicing impact my warranty?

Even if your boiler is brand new, it’s still vital to get it serviced once a year, with the first service falling as close to the anniversary of installation as possible. By servicing regularly, you can also avoid future repairs by catching any problems early. As the cost of boiler repairs can be extremely prohibitive, it’s wise to ensure you service annually to avoid unwanted expenses. Without a record of regular maintenance and servicing, any repair that may be needed in the future which would normally be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty may be invalidated, potentially leaving you with a big bill.

installer working underneath a boiler

How long does a boiler service take?

Boiler services don’t take long. A professional service without issues can take anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour. This gives enough time for the engineer to complete all the checks they need to, and complete any relevant paperwork and certificates once the service is completed. If your service lasts less than 30 minutes, ask your engineer why and ensure a thorough job has been performed.

At Vaillant, our installers carry out a 12 point check to make sure your boiler is operating efficiently.

What is checked during my boiler service?

1. Firstly, when they arrive they should present you with their Gas Safe ID card. If not, please make sure you ask to see it, looking at both the front and back of the card to ensure legitimacy.

2. Once they have entered your property, the engineer will begin a to risk assessment of the area, making sure all obstructions and breakables are clear of the work area. It may be a good idea to remove any breakables yourself before the engineer arrives.

3. The engineers should ask you if you have had any problems with the boiler in the last year. They will also check to see if there are any fault codes showing on your appliance (if applicable). Please be aware that if the boiler is not in good working order, then an annual service cannot be carried out and this may incur an additional call out fee.

4. When the annual service begins, the engineer will begin a visual inspection and carry out the checks required for an annual service.

5. Once the checks are done, the engineer will make sure that the boiler is operating correctly, and will reset all controls to their original settings.

6. They will then clear the work area, ensuring the work area is clean and tidy before leaving.

7. Lastly, they should make sure you are happy with the service and answer any question you have about the job.

What checks can I do during the year to make sure my boiler runs smoothly?

Whilst you need to be a Gas Safe Registered engineer to work on any gas appliances, including boilers, there are some quick and easy steps you can take yourself throughout the year to make sure your boiler continues to run smoothly.

  • 1. Bleed your radiators

    Bleeding your radiators can keep your rooms toasty and warm, and give you better efficiency from your heating system. Read our guide on how to bleed radiators here.

  • 2. Boiler pressure

    If you’ve got a combi or system boiler, keeping an eye on your boiler pressure can give you an early indication of any potential issues. Combi and system boilers will have a pressure gauge on the front, and, as a rule, like to run at around 1 bar of pressure. If your boiler pressure is less than 1 bar, it’s easy to top up yourself. To find out more, click here.

What do I do now?

Use of free online portal myVAILLANT Web to book and manage your boiler repair appointments online, register your Vaillant appliance. Click here for more information.

If your boiler is due a service, you can find your local heating engineer by clicking here. You’ll be able to pop in your postcode and see a list of your closest engineers. All of the engineers on our tool are members of our Vaillant Advance Loyalty scheme and have experience with Vaillant boilers.