service your boiler

Why You Need To Service Your Boiler

If you are like most homeowners, you may sometimes consider postponing or skipping your boiler’s annual maintenance service. After all, if your boiler has been running smoothly in recent months or is relatively new, you might think it is safe to delay maintenance.

However, you may not realise that there are several major problems which can occur if your boiler is not regularly maintained. This includes issues which are potentially life-threatening, very costly, or capable of significantly impacting the comfort level of your home.

In this post, I’ll explain precisely why boilers need to be maintained according to manufacturer guidelines. If you have any further questions, please give Quantum Gas Engineering a call on 0203 633 2322 or send us an email.

What Can Happen If A Boiler Is Not Adequately Maintained?

The Boiler May Become A Safety Hazard
Gas boilers burn fuel in order to heat the water that flows through your central heating system. As fuel is burnt, a number of waste gasses are produced including carbon monoxide. These gasses are expelled from your home via a flue or waste pipe.

However, problems can occur with flues and waste pipes over time. They may become blocked, damaged, or corroded, which potentially allows carbon monoxide fumes to remain in your home. A poorly adjusted pilot light can also cause excess carbon monoxide to be produced.

If these fumes reach dangerous levels, they can be fatal to the occupants of your home. It is estimated that around 60 deaths occur from carbon monoxide poisoning each year, in Wales and England alone.

When an annual boiler inspection is performed, the engineer will carefully check the flues or pipes used to exhaust noxious gasses, They will also check the pilot light, perform a carbon monoxide test, and issue a Gas Safety certificate complies with all tests.

Risk Of A Catastrophic Failure

Poorly maintained boilers are much more likely to suffer from operating problems like leaks, corrosion, and blockages. When these types of problems become severe, it can cause a catastrophic failure where one of the components of your heating system breaks. This can lead to a very expensive repair or a complete boiler replacement.

Loss Of Water Pressure

A poorly maintained boiler may begin to experience problems with the heat exchanger or boiler pump. This can impact the boiler’s performance in a variety of ways, including a loss in water pressure throughout the home. When this occurs, you may experience a variety of symptoms including boiler noise, noisey pipes, impaired heating, and a reduced hot water flow rate.

Poor Heating Capacity

There are several issues which can reduce a boiler’s ability to heat water. They include mineral deposits, clogged filters, a buildup of rust and debris, leaks, low water levels, and pilot light issues. Regular boiler maintenance can address these problems before they significantly impact the heating capacity of your central heating system.

Your Boiler’s Warranty May Be Voided
Modern boiler manufacturers offer lengthy warranties on their products, particularly if you use an accredited installed. However, these warranties usually come with the condition that the boiler is regularly inspected by a qualified engineer. If you fail to have the boiler maintained, the warranty may be voided.

Small Problems Become Big Ones
When a boiler inspection is performed, the engineer will identify any minor issues like leaks, corrosion, and mineralisation. These minor problems are generally very easy to address. However, if they are not identified early, they can eventually impair the performance of your heating system or lead to a major malfunction.

Shorter Boiler Lifespan
Boilers that are not correctly maintained tend to have a much shorter lifespan. This means you are more likely to deal with the inconvenience of a broken boiler and will have to replace your boiler more often.

Higher Energy Bills
A boiler that is not well maintained will need to work harder and burn more fuel to successfully heat your home. This will result in higher energy bills and higher carbon emissions.

You Could Be Violating The Law
In the UK, all landlords and business owners have a duty of care to patrons and tenants. A part of this responsibility is ensuring that the boilers in the properties you own are working correctly and safe to use. A part of this obligation is obtaining a Gas Safety certificate annually, which is granted after a boiler inspection by a certified engineer. Failing to have a Gas Safety certificate is a violation of the law which may lead to heavy penalties.

Do New Boilers Need Annual Servicing?
Yes! There are several boiler components which need to be checked regularly, even in boilers that are only a few years old. This includes the pump, heat exchanger, gas connections, pilot light, and filters. The pipes and junctions in your property may also be significantly older than your boiler and may need to be inspected.

Want To Learn More?
If you are interested in learning more about boiler servicing or the services that Quantum Gas Engineering provides, give us a call on 0203 633 2322.

Quantum Gas Engineering Ltd. Are Accredited Viessmann installers.

Interested In Learning More? Contact Quantum Gas Engineering

For more information on Vaillant boiler installations in Primrose Hill, give Quantum Gas Engineering Ltd a call on 0203 633 2322 or email us at info@qge.ltd