What a boiler service is
A boiler service is a planned inspection by a qualified engineer, done while the boiler is still working rather than after it has failed. It's the moment to catch small issues, such as a worn seal or a component starting to struggle, before they turn into a cold house on a January morning.
A worthwhile service goes well beyond confirming that the boiler lights. We look at whether it is operating safely, whether it is burning fuel efficiently and whether any parts are showing early signs of wear. If you're unsure how this differs from a wider system check, our guide to boiler service vs heating service explains the distinction.
When a service is due
For most homes the answer is once every twelve months, but a few situations make booking particularly worthwhile.
- It has been about a year since the last visit.
- Autumn is approaching and you want the boiler checked before it works hardest.
- Your manufacturer's warranty asks for yearly servicing as a condition of cover.
- You've just moved in and have no idea when the boiler was last looked at.
What happens on the day
We start by asking whether you've noticed anything odd, such as noises, pressure changes or slow hot water, because those clues tell us where to look hardest. Then we work through the boiler's safety, checking that it runs and vents as it should, followed by its efficiency, so you're not paying for fuel that's being wasted.
Finally we look for early wear on the parts most likely to cause a breakdown later. Before leaving we explain what we found in plain terms, including anything worth keeping an eye on. For a fuller walk-through, read our boiler service guide.
Gas, LPG and oil boilers
We service gas, LPG and oil boilers. Gas appliances are worked on by our Gas Safe registered engineers, and LPG and oil boilers by qualified engineers, so rural properties without mains gas are covered too. Our article on choosing a Gas Safe engineer explains what to check before anyone works on your boiler.
Landlords and letting agents
Alongside private homes we look after rental properties, covering the yearly service and reactive repairs if something goes wrong between visits. Landlords and letting agents can book directly with us, and having one local firm that already knows the boiler makes the next call-out simpler for everyone.
If the service finds a fault
Sometimes a service turns up a part that needs replacing. When that happens we tell you what's wrong and give you a clear price before doing anything further; there is no obligation to go ahead there and then. Our boiler repair page explains how we deal with faults. If the boiler is near the end of its life we'll say so honestly, and our boiler installation page covers the next step. Where radiators have cold patches caused by sludge, a powerflush may be worth considering.
Areas we cover
We service boilers in Harpenden, St Albans, Wheathampstead, London Colney, Codicote, Whitwell, Luton and Dunstable, along with neighbouring towns and villages. Our areas we cover page lists the rest.