Servicing the boiler is the last thing you want to think about – until it breaks down. Then it becomes priority number one as you face the prospect of cold showers, dirty dishes and – if it happens in the middle of December - wearing every jumper you can lay your hands on just to stay warm. A few small preventative and remedial measures can help you avoid such seasonal disasters, bring you into the modern age and help you to make informed decisions regarding your boiler.
Prevention, so goes the adage, is better than cure. That tired old inhabitant of your airing cupboard could be well overdue a replacement, and even though you may have encountered no problems thus far you will save yourself hassles and cash in the long run if you invest in a high efficiency condensing boiler. Far more energy-efficient and ecologically sound than a conventional boiler, these new models work by re-using the heat from water vapour that would otherwise have been wasted. Most old boilers have a life expectancy of around 15 years, so if yours is approaching or past that milestone, it’s well worth your while cutting the fuse of a looming domestic nightmare and investing in an efficient, green and ultimately money-saving new model. British Gas boilers conform to new energy-efficiency criteria and they also offer a boiler installation service.
It might seem strange to be thinking about central heating as summer approaches, but there’s really no better time to get that boiler serviced. Heating firms will be quieter between February and October, so you may get a service engineer a lot cheaper, and they’ll certainly be less concerned about getting through so many appointments, leaving them more focused on your boiler.
You probably take your boiler for granted. It never seems to go wrong, you never even think about it. So an annual service may seem a trifle obsessive. However, deposits that build up in the boiler can greatly reduce its efficiency, so having it regularly serviced is a wise move. Your boiler is more constantly in use than your car, and you wouldn’t dream of skipping your MOT – it’s a false economy, not to mention dangerous. Having it regularly checked and maintained by a reputable engineer will drastically reduce the risk of a gas leak. An annual boiler service is not fastidious and fussy, but essential to saving you money and, potentially, lives.
