Boiler Servicing
Annual boiler servicing across BA, BS, GL and SN, carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers - keeping your boiler safe, efficient, and your manufacturer warranty valid.
Service or safety check - what's the difference?
People often ask for one when they actually need the other, so it's worth being clear about what each one does. A gas safety check isn't specific to boilers - it covers any gas appliance, including cookers and fires - and it doesn't inspect individual parts. Instead, it confirms everything is running as it should: boiler pressure, air supply, that gas is burning correctly and efficiently, that flues and chimneys let combustion gases escape, and that safety devices such as cut-off valves are working. A safety check tells you the appliance is safe to use.
A boiler service goes further. Rather than just confirming things are safe, the engineer checks the individual parts inside the boiler to make sure they're clean and working efficiently. Think of it as the equivalent of an MOT and a service on a car: the MOT (safety check) confirms it's safe to drive, while the service looks after what's under the bonnet, replacing fluids and worn parts as needed.
Why an annual service matters
Your boiler needs its first service 12 months after installation, and every 12 months after that. A service isn't a legal requirement the way a safety check is for landlords, but it keeps your manufacturer warranty valid - most warranties are void the moment a boiler misses its yearly service - and it keeps your boiler running efficiently, which shows up as lower energy bills. Left unserviced, dirt and deposits build up on parts like the burner and heat exchanger, which can eventually stop the boiler firing altogether.
What's included in a service
The engineer removes the front cover and inspects and cleans the parts inside:
- Full inspection for leaks in the pipework and that all seals are intact
- Pressure monitored and the flue examined for safety
- Burner and heat exchanger cleaned of dirt and deposits
- Expansion vessel tested to confirm correct system pressure
- Boiler ignited and listened to for any unusual noises
- Service details recorded in the manufacturer's benchmark book, plus a written report for your records
Electric boilers
Electric boilers are a good option for buildings without a gas supply, and for energy-saving new builds - they're compact, low maintenance and can be fitted almost anywhere with low running costs. Because there's no combustion, no flue and no carbon monoxide risk to check, an electric boiler service instead focuses on the electrical connections, system pressure and heating elements, so it's still worth booking one annually.
One appliance, or all of them?
To save you time, a safety check on your other gas appliances can be completed on the same visit as your boiler service by our Gas Safe registered engineer, who will advise if anything else needs attention. If you're a landlord, remember that a service alone doesn't satisfy your legal safety-check obligation - you need both.
Boiler Servicing FAQs
The questions we are asked most often about servicing.
What's the difference between a boiler service and a gas safety check?
A safety check confirms your appliance is safe to use right now - checking pressure, air supply, combustion, flues and safety devices. A service goes further: the engineer opens the boiler up, cleans and inspects the individual parts, and checks everything is working efficiently, not just safely. Landlords need an annual safety check by law; a service isn't a legal requirement but is usually required to keep your manufacturer's warranty valid.
How often does my boiler need servicing?
Once a year, starting 12 months after installation. Almost every manufacturer warranty is conditional on an annual service, and skipping it is one of the most common reasons a warranty claim gets refused.
What does a boiler service actually involve?
The engineer removes the front cover, inspects and cleans the parts inside, checks all pipework and seals for leaks, monitors pressure, examines the flue, cleans deposits from the burner and heat exchanger, tests the expansion vessel, and listens for unusual noises when the boiler fires. You're given a written service report.
Do I need a service if I already have a landlord gas safety check?
A safety check can be completed on the same visit as your service to save time. But the two aren't interchangeable: a safety check alone won't keep a manufacturer warranty valid, and a service alone doesn't satisfy a landlord's legal safety-check obligation. If you're a landlord, see our safety checks & CP12 page.
Are electric boilers serviced the same way?
Electric boilers avoid combustion entirely, so there's no flue, gas supply or carbon monoxide risk to check, but they still benefit from a regular service to check electrical connections, pressure and heating elements.