Itās not only about higher running costs: if a boiler is not regularly serviced, the consequences extend well beyond money, affecting efficiency, safety, and even your legal obligations in certain cases. Hereās a complete guide to what can happen.
Ā
Risk of legal issues
Ā
For homeowners, there is no legal requirement in the UK to service a domestic boiler every year. However, neglecting maintenance can invalidate the manufacturerās warranty and your home insurance policy, leaving you liable for costly repairs or damage.
For landlords, the law is much stricter. Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must:
- arrange an annual gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer;
- provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate.
Failure to comply is a criminal offence and can result in substantial fines or even imprisonment. Local authorities can also carry out inspections to ensure compliance.
Ā
Ā
Ā
Risk to safety
Ā
The biggest concern is safety. An unserviced boiler can expose occupants to serious dangers such as:
- carbon monoxide poisoning ā CO is colourless, odourless, and highly toxic;
- gas leaks ā increasing the risk of fire or explosion.
Regular servicing includes checks on combustion and flue gases to ensure that the boiler is burning fuel safely and efficiently.
Ā
Risk to warranty and insurance
Ā
Skipping maintenance often means the boilerās warranty becomes invalid, leaving you to cover all repair or replacement costs yourself.
In addition, if an accident occurs and your insurer finds that the boiler had not been properly serviced, your insurance claim could be refused.
Ā
Ā
Risk of inefficiency and higher bills
Ā
Even without a safety incident, a boiler that hasnāt been serviced will run less efficiently. That means:
- higher gas bills due to wasted energy;
- poor heating performance ā rooms may not warm up properly, or the boiler burns more gas than necessary to reach the desired temperature;
- reduced lifespan ā boilers that arenāt looked after fail years earlier than well-maintained ones.
Ā
Ā
How to avoid the risks
Ā
The solution is simple: arrange a professional boiler service once a year. A Gas Safe registered engineer will carry out checks on:
- burner and heat exchanger;
- filters and seals;
- water pressure;
- combustion and flue gas analysis.
They will then update your service record, giving you proof of maintenance.
The cost of a service varies depending on the type of boiler and the level of work required, but itās always cheaper than dealing with breakdowns, invalid insurance, or safety emergencies.
