Your boiler is the hardest-working appliance in your home. It provides your hot water, heats your radiators, and runs almost constantly through the colder months. Yet many homeowners across the Wirral go years without having it serviced. Here is why that is a mistake — and what a proper service actually involves.
Safety Comes First
The most important reason to service your boiler annually is safety. A faulty boiler can produce carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas that is responsible for around 60 deaths per year in the UK. An annual service includes checks on the flue, the combustion chamber, and the gas pressure to ensure everything is burning cleanly and venting properly.
Every home with a gas boiler should also have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in the same room. If you do not have one, ask your engineer to fit one during your service.
Protect Your Warranty
Almost every boiler manufacturer requires an annual service by a Gas Safe registered engineer to keep your warranty valid. If your boiler develops a fault and you cannot produce service records, the manufacturer can refuse to cover the repair — even if your boiler is only a year or two old.
This is one of the most common and costly mistakes we see. A service typically costs between £60 and £90, but a major boiler repair without warranty cover can run into hundreds of pounds.
What Happens During a Boiler Service
A proper boiler service takes around 30 to 45 minutes and includes:
- **Visual inspection** — checking for leaks, corrosion, and correct ventilation
- **Flue gas analysis** — measuring the combustion gases to ensure the boiler is burning efficiently
- **Gas pressure check** — verifying the inlet pressure and burner pressure are within spec
- **Ignition and flame check** — ensuring the boiler fires cleanly and the flame is stable
- **System pressure check** — making sure the heating system is at the correct pressure
- **Controls check** — testing the thermostat, timer, and safety devices
- **Condensate trap and drain** — clearing any blockages in the condensate pipe
- **Seals and gaskets** — inspecting for wear and replacing if needed
Your engineer should also complete a service record or benchmark checklist and leave you with a copy.
Efficiency and Running Costs
A boiler that has not been serviced will gradually lose efficiency. Deposits build up on the heat exchanger, seals degrade, and the burner may not be running at optimal pressure. This means your boiler works harder and uses more gas to produce the same amount of heat.
Regular servicing keeps your boiler running as close to its rated efficiency as possible, which directly reduces your gas bills.
When to Book
The best time to book your annual service is in late summer or early autumn, before the heating season starts in earnest. Engineers are less busy, appointments are easier to get, and any issues can be fixed before you need your heating.
If your boiler has not been serviced in over a year, do not put it off any longer. Contact JF Plumbing & Heating to book your annual service. We are Gas Safe registered and cover the whole Wirral and Merseyside area.