What you can expect to happen in a gas boiler service

No matter the age of your boiler, it’s important to arrange an annual boiler service to make sure it continues to run as expected.

You may also find that an annual boiler service is needed in order to meet gas safe recommendations. At Home Emergency Assist, you can add a boiler service from just £8.47 a month* to any of our Home Emergency products.

Please note: it’s important that you report any faults with your boiler within 48 hours of discovery. The boiler service will not include any repairs and will not be completed if the boiler is faulty when the engineer arrives.

What is a boiler service?

A boiler service helps to ensure your boiler and central heating system stay running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Most boiler services take less than an hour, though this does depend on your specific appliance.

The gas boiler service must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Including a boiler service with your Home Emergency Cover can provide peace of mind that your boiler is working as efficiently and safely as possible.

What happens during a boiler service?

We service all boilers in accordance with Gas Safe regulations and service procedures may vary depending on the particular appliance. A typical service will include:

1. Visual assessment
   The engineer will inspect the boiler, clean and adjust components as needed, looking for signs of damage and identifying any signs of problems that are immediately visible.

2. Controls check
   Your boiler has a number of safety devices and controls which the engineer will test to ensure they’re operating correctly and make sure that the boiler functions are working as expected.

3. Flue and combustion fan check
   The engineer will check the flue (pipe from your boiler to the outside of your house), making sure that there are no obstructions in the flue terminals and that it’s safely fitted.

4. Cleaning
   The engineer will remove, inspect and clean the main burner to make sure it’s fit for purpose and has no noticeable damage.

5. Other checks
   There are lots of things to tick off during a boiler service. These include:
   – Safety device check
   – Gas pressure and heat input verification
   – Operating pressure reset
   – Gas and water seals check
   – Combustion performance test (where possible)
   – Ventilation check
   – Heating controls and energy efficiency

6. Keep a record
   The engineer will make a record of each test and check they carry out, including a record of the boiler pressure. You’ll then be able to keep this information for future inspections or when a problem occurs.

7. Ready the boiler for use
   At the end of your boiler service, the engineer will make sure your boiler is working as expected. Any controls or settings that were changed during the service will be changed back or left so that you can easily adjust the settings yourself.

What happens if a fault is identified?

If any maintenance work or faults are identified, we’ll let you know about any remedial work required. It’s your responsibility to make sure any required fixes are completed and to provide evidence of this, if needed.

Our engineer will follow Gas Industry Safe Situation Procedures where safety issues are identified.

Boiler services are usually carried out between April and September but you can read our blog post on when you should get your boiler serviced for more information.

Want to keep your heating running smoothly year-round? Discover our boiler and heating cover, or take out a Complete home emergency plan for total peace of mind. Get a quick, free quote online and find the perfect plan to keep your home cosy! Or explore our full range of plans, including plumbing and drainage, and appliance cover.