How Long Does it Take a Gas Safe Registered Engineer Service a Boiler?
How long it takes to service your boiler will depend on the boiler model and make. Older boilers, or those that haven’t been serviced within the last year, may take longer to service because there’s a chance more parts may need to be replaced during the appointment – but this isn’t always the case. As a general rule of thumb, a gas boiler service usually takes approximately one hour to complete, though it might take up to an hour and half.
What Happens During a Boiler Service?
When your boiler is being serviced, it’s akin to getting your car MOTd. A qualified Gas Safe engineer will inspect your boiler to ensure it’s legally compliant, safe, and working as it should be. To do this, they’ll look at all aspects of your boiler, including:
- Boiler and thermostat controls
- Sensors
- Flue (checking the integrity and gas analysis)
- Condensate removal path
- Combustion chamber
- Safety devices (e.g. carbon monoxide detector)
- Other safety features
Some parts may need replacing due to general wear and tear. If that’s the case, the technician will do that during your service. They will also clean certain parts of your boiler to remove carbon deposits within the combustion chamber and on the heat exchanger surface.
They’ll check for carbon monoxide leaks and, if you don’t already have one, recommend that you get a carbon monoxide detector installed. They can also service other gas appliances if you have them, like ovens.
Boiler Service Results
The aim of a service is to make sure your boiler is safe. If it’s not and can’t be fixed during the service (if parts need to be ordered in and replaced for example), you may find that the technician tells you not to use your boiler because there’s a risk of gas leaks or another issue. On the other hand, if your boiler is deemed as safe and in good working order, you can rest assured that it can be switched on with no problems.
Following the conclusion of the service, the gas engineer will provide you with a full service report and a gas safety certificate (faulty boilers won’t receive a certificate). This is for your records and will detail the date the service was carried out on, which safety checks were done in line with the Gas Safety Regulation 26.9, and any other work that was completed (e.g. replacements). The engineer will sign the report and give it to you to confirm that the information is true and correct.
Servicing an Oil Boiler
If you have an oil boiler, it will also need to be serviced by gas safe registered engineers, but this may take longer than with a traditional boiler. This is because as well as the boiler being checked, the oil tank will also need to be inspected to ensure there are no leaks, water, corrosion, or warping/bulging of the tank. Generally speaking, an oil boiler service can take up to two hours and it will also cost more than a gas boiler service due to the increased safety checks.
Benefits of Boiler Services
There are lots of reasons why you should get your boiler serviced outside of it being the safe thing to do.
Did you know that if you fail to get your boiler serviced on a yearly basis, you could find that your warranty is voided? This is because in the small print, most boiler manufacturers require a Gas Safe engineer to look at your boiler annually, and not doing so could mean you’re denied coverage if something goes wrong.
Boilers, like everything in life, are susceptible to wear and tear, and repairs will be needed at some stage. The key to keeping repair costs down is to have your boiler serviced regularly. Doing so will highlight any issues before they become more problematic and expensive.
The better you look after something, the longer it lasts, and the same is true of boilers. Servicing will keep your boiler in top condition and running as efficiently as possible, meaning you can maximise its lifespan before a replacement is needed.
Faults in your boiler or anywhere in your heating system could cause your household bills to skyrocket. A service will highlight any issues and any areas where efficiency could be improved, meaning you can save money on your bills in the long run.
Book an Annual Boiler Service with Bbright
Is your boiler due a service? If so, get in touch with our team. One of our Gas Safe boiler engineers will be able to carry out a full service and boiler inspection, ensuring your boiler is kept ticking over safely and you’re not left in the cold. Call us today on 01279 888429 to arrange an inspection.
