The cost of living crisis is having a major impact on people’s finances, with many struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table. However, it seems that one of the most essential household bills has been forgotten by many – gas boiler services.
According to the Gas Safe Register, a third of homes do not have yearly gas safety checks because households are struggling to keep up with the cost of living. But lives could be at risk if people don’t get their boiler checked regularly.
When should my boiler be serviced?
Ideally, you should have your boiler serviced annually to ensure it’s working at peak efficiency.
A boiler service checks the condition of the boiler, flue and chimney, as well as the pressure and temperature settings. A gas engineer will also make sure that there are no leaks, that the air vents are clear, and check for any signs of corrosion or erosion in the boiler components.
A boiler service can help identify potential problems before they happen, which can save you money in the long run. A breakdown in your boiler can result in costly repairs and bills that can be the cause of much financial stress.
If you’ve never had your boiler serviced before, getting one done now will give you peace of mind that everything is running smoothly, especially before winter kicks in. The last thing you want is to have no heating during the colder months.
The risk of not getting regular boiler services
Boiler breakdowns are more common than you think. The average life of a boiler is about 15 years, but many last for 25 years or more. While some parts may have been replaced during this time, the majority of boilers will still have original components. A lack of regular maintenance means these parts will fail sooner than expected.
If your boiler has been sitting idle for months (like during summer) or even years, it could be riddled with corrosion and other problems that could result in expensive repairs down the road.
Failing to get your boiler serviced can be extremely dangerous and result in serious damage to your home. At its worst, a boiler may cause a small explosion can cause damage to property, and potentially cause serious injury.
In one of the latest cases of boiler damage, a house in Birmingham had a large explosion in July 2022 at a house that had a gas leak from internal piping from the boiler.
To add to this, as a result of gas explosions in boiler rooms, many insurance companies are refusing to pay claims because they claim that homeowners violated terms and conditions by neglecting to get their boilers serviced on a regular basis.
Takeaway
Boiler servicing allows technicians to identify potential problems before they become serious issues that could cost you thousands of pounds in repairs or replacement costs down the line. So, getting an annual boiler service may not be free but it is important for your safety and to avoid potentially costly problems later.
And if your boiler is older, it may be worth considering getting a new boiler in the UK to ensure yours meets safety and energy efficiency standards.
Picture credit: iStockPhoto: Ronstik
