Is skipping boiler servicing a false economy?

An annual boiler service will usually save money in the long term

“Our boiler has started losing pressure on a daily basis. Unfortunately we have not had a service for a couple of years. How much would it cost for a service, and would this also help to figure out why the pressure is being lost?”

This is a genuine question from a customer recently and it’s not uncommon. Boiler servicing can often be something you skip for a number of reasons: cost; inconvenience; perception that it’s not really necessary; or just forgetfulness. We all know what it’s like.

Unfortunately, whatever the reason, this can prove to be a costly decision later down the line. Your boiler is a very complex piece of equipment delivering a vital service to your home and, as such, does need looking after.

If your boiler breaks down following a lengthy period of not having been maintained, it may not necessarily be something that you could have avoided through regular servicing however there are a number of reasons why servicing can vastly minimise the chances of a costly repair later down the line:

• It ensures all is working properly and makes any necessary adjustments
• It gives your boiler a good clean which will help performance
• It makes sure it’s working as efficiently as it can which will save you money on energy and allows you to manage your home’s heating more effectively
• It can flag potential issues which can be resolved before becoming big ones
• It helps your boiler comply with any manufacturer warranties or home cover insurance terms – the last thing you need when you have a breakdown is to find that you have to pay when it could have been covered

As for the question about whether conducting a service now could potentially fix the issue being experienced with pressure, the answer is ‘possibly’. However, the longer the period the boiler has gone without a service, the less likely that issues can be resolved by simply servicing it. In all likelihood, that lack of maintenance may have either failed to warn of an issue coming or even directly caused it and that £69 a year (or even £49 if conducted during the summer) would seem like a very small amount compared to the cost of replacement parts and labour.

Just as it doesn’t make sense to wait until you are burgled to have a burglar alarm installed, neither should you wait until your boiler breaks down before getting it serviced. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

If your boiler has not been serviced for quite a while then take some action now and get it sorted. There is still a lot of winter left to come and that is when your boiler is most at risk. To organise your boiler service call us on 0333 577 0151 or complete the form opposite.