When was the last time you checked on your boiler? If your answer isn’t anywhere within the past year, then it’s probably time to do a cursory inspection of this component of your home.
People tend to forget that they use their boilers even when it isn’t wintertime, like for generating hot tap water, for instance. Just like maintaining your car or your refrigerator, making sure your boiler runs smoothly is crucial for keeping your home conveniently functional. It is for this reason that experts recommend performing service maintenance at least once a year.
Not convinced that it needs a check-up? Here are some reasons you’ll want to ring your plumber to perform a maintenance check of your boiler.
1. You’ll catch boiler problems early
Picture this: winter rolls around and you’re excited about taking a long, hot bath. When you dip your toe in the water, instead of the refreshing heat you’re expecting, you receive an ice-cold shock emanating from the pool of water on your tub. At this point, you realize that your boiler wasn’t working properly this whole time.
Boilers are prone to wear and tear just like every other machine, thus eventually running into some functionality problems over time. You might not notice these during warmer months, but it will definitely be hard to ignore in the winter when turning on the heat is necessary.
Servicing your boiler every year means that the engineer or plumber will be able to diagnose any problems with your boiler and fix them right away—especially before it causes any more damage. Any problem with your boiler, no matter the size, will only worsen if left unchecked.
2. You’ll cut costs on boiler replacement
The costs of completely replacing your boiler are prohibitively more expensive than servicing your boiler, which actually costs less than you think. Plus, having a completely broken down boiler means you won’t be able to use hot water or turn the heat on during winter months, which can prove to be a potentially life-threatening problem to have.
Performing regular boiler service will make sure it is functioning properly and will prevent any breakdowns or problems later on. It’ll most likely last longer than a boiler that hasn’t been maintained, which will save you from having to buy a brand new one in the long run.
3. You’ll keep your boiler warranty
Most boilers come with guarantees that apply only if your boiler is regularly serviced, because this ensures that it’s up, running, and performing as intended. If you go more than 12 months without servicing your boiler, then you run the risk of voiding your warranty, which could be very costly for you in the long run. If it breaks down and your warranty can’t cover it, then you’ll have to shoulder the costs for boiler repair.
Make sure to understand the conditions of your boiler’s warranty. If it needs an annual servicing to keep the warranty valid, then make sure to book one before the year is up.
4. Your boiler will run safely
Another reason why boiler maintenance checks are crucial is to ensure that it’s operating smoothly and safely. An unsafe boiler can actually emit carbon monoxide, which can be hazardous to people’s health. In fact, the Department of Health found that 4000 people go to A&E each year with carbon monoxide poisoning, and its symptoms are easily attributed to other common illnesses. This can be deadly since a malfunctioning boiler might not be the first thing to come to mind.
If you’re a landlord, then you are also required by law to carry out annual gas safety checks on all gas appliances in your properties. It falls under your responsibility as a proprietor to make sure your tenants are safe.
5. You’ll save money on bills
Well-maintained boilers run efficiently, which means that it won’t use up any more energy than necessary. Having a plumber or engineer annually service your boiler means that they’ll make sure everything is working as they should. If something is amiss, then they’ll be able to fix it right away.
While some may argue that regular maintenance is costly, it can actually identify potential problems before it hits, which can be more expensive to resolve when it happens. After all, preventive maintenance will save you loads more money than reactive repair.
Final words
Even if the warranty on your boiler doesn’t require you to service it every year, it’s still a crucial check-up to make sure you and your family are safe. In doing so regularly, you get to save more money on bills and replacement costs in the long run
Grampian Boiler Service is a boiler repair and installation company based in Aberdeen. We offer a wide range of services from complete new installs to annual servicing and landlord certification to thermostat repairs. Have a boiler that needs to be checked? Get in touch with us for a free quote!