Article Structure:
- The Importance of Boiler Servicing in Glasgow
- What Happens During a Boiler Service
- Benefits of Annual Boiler Servicing
- Common Signs of a Faulty Boiler
- Risks of a Faulty Boiler
- Fixing a Faulty Boiler
- Legal Requirements for Landlords
- Book a Boiler Service Now: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
- The Boiler Service Package
The Importance of Boiler Servicing in Glasgow
If you call chilly Glasgow your home, you understand the significance of having a reliable and efficient boiler. But when was the last time you had your boiler serviced, and what are the benefits of doing so?
In this article, we’ll address these questions and provide you with essential tips to keep your boiler in optimal condition, preventing costly repairs and breakdowns.
What Happens During a Boiler Service
When it comes to maintaining your boiler, think of it as similar to getting a vehicle MOT.
Just like a vehicle undergoes a formal inspection to ensure it meets British standards and is roadworthy, a boiler service involves a comprehensive examination of your heating system.
A boiler service involves a complete disassembly of your boiler, followed by a comprehensive inspection of all its components. Any faults or defects are recorded. If you are present, the engineer can discuss any problems with your property’s heating system and recommend solutions, which they may even be able to fix during the visit.
Unless the engineer discovers serious problems that require urgent attention, you will decide what action to take regarding any boiler problems.
Like an MOT test for your car, a boiler service should be performed by a qualified engineer who can issue a certificate of safety and performance.
Benefits of Annual Boiler Servicing
Regular boiler maintenance carries several benefits, including:
- Leak and Corrosion Prevention
Servicing detects and fixes leaks and corrosion, averting water loss, pressure problems, and potential risks to health and the environment. - Optimised Gas Pressure and Flow
Adjusting your boiler’s gas settings improves efficiency and performance, preventing energy wastage. - Dust and Debris Cleaning
Servicing removes dust and debris that can clog parts, reduce efficiency, increase faults, and lower performance. - Flue and Emissions Inspection
Inspection ensures your boiler’s flue is functioning correctly, preventing unsafe gas emissions. Carbon monoxiode emissions are tested to meet legal standards, safeguarding health and the environment. - Safety and Compliance
For landlords, annual servicing is a legal requirement and provides gas safety certificates to tenants.
Failure to comply can lead to legal consequences.
How A Boiler Service Saves You Money
Neglecting boiler servicing may initially appear cost-effective, but it can lead to expensive repairs and increased energy bills.
Unserved boilers are more prone to breakdowns, which tend to be costlier to repair.
Moreover, an inefficient boiler consumes more fuel, raising your energy costs.
The REAL Cost of an Inefficient Boiler
If your boiler is converting 89% of burned fuel into usable energy, then for every £100 you spend on heating, you are wasting £11.
This quickly adds up, especially as your boiler’s efficiency declines over time.
After a boiler service, your boiler should be able to convert 99% of burned fuel into usable energy, which means only £1 per £100 is lost to inefficiency.
Common Signs of a Faulty Boiler
A faulty boiler can cause a lot of problems in your home, from lack of heating and hot water to potential safety hazards.
Here are some signs of a faulty boiler that you should look out for:
- Your boiler is making strange noises, such as banging, hissing, or whistling
This could indicate a problem with the pump, the fan, or the pressure. - Your boiler is leaking water or gas
This could cause damage to your property or pose a fire or explosion risk. You should turn off your boiler and call a Gas Safe engineer immediately. - Your boiler is not heating your home or water properly
This could be due to low pressure, a faulty thermostat, a blocked valve, or a broken heat exchanger. - Higher than usual energy bills
If you’re experiencing a steady rise in the price of your energy bills, your boiler may be losing efficiency due to an undiagnosed fault. - Your boiler’s pilot light is out or has changed colour
A blue flame indicates a healthy boiler, while an orange or yellow flame could mean that there is too much carbon monoxide in the system.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact a professional engineer as soon as possible to inspect and service your boiler.
Risks of a Faulty Boiler
There are many reasons to book a boiler service in your home, but perhaps the most pressing and important reason to book a boiler service is to protect your loved ones from danger.
An inefficient boiler may waste your money, but that quickly becomes irrelevant when contrasted with the devastation that could be caused by a dangerous boiler.
Here are some of the dangers of a faulty boiler and how to avoid them.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can be produced by a malfunctioning boiler. It can cause headaches, nausea, drowsiness, and even death.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you should install a carbon monoxide detector in your home and have your boiler serviced regularly by a qualified technician.
Burns and Scalds
A boiler can reach high temperatures and pressures, which can cause burns and scalds if you touch it or come into contact with the steam or hot water.
To prevent burns and scalds, you should keep children and pets away from the boiler and its pipes, and use caution when opening faucets or valves connected to the boiler.
Water Damage
A boiler can leak water or steam, which can cause water damage to your floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture.
This can also lead to mould growth, which can affect your health and air quality.
To prevent water damage, you should inspect your boiler and its pipes for leaks and cracks, and fix them as soon as possible.
Fires and Explosions
A boiler can explode or catch fire if there is a gas leak, an electrical fault, or a build-up of pressure. This can cause serious damage to your property and injure anyone nearby.
To prevent explosions and fires, you should check for gas leaks regularly, keep flammable materials away from the boiler, and use a pressure relief valve to release excess pressure.
To avoid these risks, use carbon monoxide detectors, maintain distance from hot boiler components, check for gas leaks, and adhere to safety measures.
Booking a boiler service is a quick and easy way to increase the overall safety of your home for yourself and your family.
Even if no immediately dangerous problems are discovered during the inspection, a competent Gas-Safe registered gas engineer will be able to foresee future problems if subtle indicators are present, based on the condition of the boiler and it’s parts, and advise preventative measures.
Fixing a Faulty Boiler
If you notice any of these signs of a faulty boiler, you should contact a professional boiler repair service as soon as possible.
A faulty boiler can not only affect your comfort and energy bills, but also your health and safety.
Legal Requirements for Landlords
Scottish landlords are legally required to have their boilers serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer and to provide their tenants with a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of the check or before they move in. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
This means Scottish landlords must:
- Arrange for an annual gas safety check by a qualified engineer registered with the Gas Safe Register.
- Provide your tenants with a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of the check or before they move in.
- Repair any faults or breakdowns in the boiler or heating system as soon as possible. You must not charge your tenants for these repairs unless they are caused by their negligence or misuse.
- Provide your tenants with adequate heating and hot water at all times, unless there is an emergency or unavoidable interruption.
- Inform your tenants of any planned maintenance or servicing of the boiler or heating system and give them reasonable notice. You must respect your tenants' right to quiet enjoyment of the property and avoid causing unnecessary disturbance or inconvenience.
By following these legal requirements, you can ensure that your boiler and heating system are safe and efficient, and that your tenants are happy and satisfied with their living conditions.
Learn more about landlords obligations to their tenant with our blog post: What Certificates Do Landlords Need? – 8 Safety Certificates
Book a Boiler Service Now: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Preventative maintenance is always better than reactive repairs, especially when it comes to your boiler.
If you wait for your boiler to break down before booking a service, you’ll be facing potentially higher costs, and several other inconveniences:
- No Heat Until the Problem is Resolved
This can be especially difficult in the winter, when boiler problems are most common. - Difficulty Booking Boiler Service
Engineers are busiest in the winter, so it’s important to book your service in advance. - More Severe Problems
Delaying your boiler service is likely to cost you more money in the long run.
Don’t wait until it’s too late – book your boiler service today!
Book a Boiler Service
Landlord Boiler Service
Our experienced engineers will conduct a thorough inspection of your boiler, identifying any potential problems and making any necessary repairs. We will also provide you with a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12 Report), which is a legal requirement for all landlords in Scotland.
Homeowner Boiler Service
We keep your home warm and safe by thoroughly inspecting your boiler and ensuring its efficient and reliable operation. Our experienced engineers are dedicated to identifying and repairing any potential problems before they cause a breakdown.
Landlord Packages
Streamline property compliance with our Service Packages for Landlords. We take care of all safety certificates & property maintenanace for you, freeing your time for more important matters.
Homeowner Packages
Simplify every aspect of home maintenance with our Property Service Packages for homeowners - including Boiler Servicing & Repair, Electrical Repair, & more.
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