Guide · Boiler servicing
A yearly service is one of the simplest ways to keep a boiler safe and reliable. Here's what's involved, what affects the time it takes, and when to book.
The cost of a boiler service mostly comes down to time: how long it takes a qualified engineer to inspect, clean and test your boiler properly. A straightforward service on an accessible, well-kept boiler is quicker than one on a boiler squeezed into a tight cupboard that hasn't been looked at for years.
Rather than quote figures here, I'll explain what goes into a service and what changes the time, so you know what to expect and can compare like with like.
The exact checks depend on the manufacturer's instructions for your model, but a proper service generally covers:
A few things add time. Access is the big one: a boiler in a loft with no proper boarding, or behind kitchen units, takes longer to work on safely. Condition matters too — a boiler that hasn't been serviced for several years often needs more cleaning, and a blocked condensate trap is common.
If you have other gas appliances you want checked at the same visit, such as a gas fire or hob, that adds to the job. And if the service turns up a part that's worn, replacing it is extra work, which we always explain and agree with you before doing.
Most boiler manufacturers recommend a service once a year. Many also make an annual service by a Gas Safe registered engineer a condition of their warranty, so skipping one could leave you paying for a repair the warranty would otherwise have covered. Check your boiler's warranty paperwork for the exact terms.
Even for an older boiler out of warranty, a yearly service is sensible. It's the chance to spot a worn seal, a corroded flue or a failing part before it causes a breakdown, and to make sure the boiler is burning safely.
These are often confused. A boiler service is about the boiler's condition and performance: cleaning, inspecting and testing it so it runs well and keeps running. A landlord gas safety check is a legal requirement for rented homes, focused on whether each gas appliance, fitting and flue is safe, and it produces a record the landlord must give to tenants.
They overlap, but one doesn't replace the other. Landlords often book both at the same visit. Our gas safety certificates page explains the landlord check in more detail.
Late summer and early autumn are ideal. The boiler hasn't been under heavy load, it's easier to find a convenient appointment, and if anything needs fixing there's time to sort it before you rely on the heating every day.
Leaving it until the first cold snap means you're booking at the same time as everyone else, and finding a fault in December is far less convenient than in September. A good habit is to book around the same month every year so you don't lose track.
We service boilers across Neath, Port Talbot, Swansea and the surrounding area. See our boiler servicing page for more, or contact us with your boiler's make and model and when it was last serviced. If your boiler is already showing a problem, our boiler repairs page may be more useful.
Common questions
Clear answers before you arrange a visit.
For many boilers, yes. Most manufacturers ask for a yearly service by a Gas Safe registered engineer — check your warranty paperwork for the exact terms.
Often around an hour for a straightforward boiler, longer if access is difficult or the boiler hasn't been serviced for a while.
Yes. Mention it when you book so we can allow time for it.
The gas safety check is the legal requirement. A service is separate but recommended, and the two are often done together.
We explain what we've found and what it needs. Nothing extra goes ahead without your agreement.
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