Find out how much it will cost you to service your boiler and understand the benefits of keeping your boiler regularly checked and maintained.
With the cost of absolutely everything going up and up, it’s important that you have all the information you need to prepare for potential home maintenance costs. Servicing a boiler is one of those life admin costs to account for.
Let’s face it, you would probably prefer to spend the money on much more exciting things coming up. But it could save you money down the line on costly repairs or replacements. So it is definitely worth it!
In this guide, we will reveal exactly how much a boiler service is in 2023. We’ll also explain why this cost may differ and answer plenty more of your FAQs. But before we dive into the finances, why do you need to service a boiler in the first place?
Why do you need a boiler service?
There are several reasons why it is worth booking an annual boiler service. From safety to efficiency and cost saving. Here are a couple of main reasons why you need to service a boiler.
Keep your home safe
Put it like this. You wouldn’t feel comfortable driving your car if it hadn’t been serviced for years. Plus, potential breakdown costs or replacement parts are likely to be far more expensive than the service itself. The same goes for your boiler.
You need to service a boiler to ensure the safety of your home and loved ones. Without the right checks, you are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from gas boiler leaks. Sadly, this is still an issue that affects families each year in the UK. Find out more about how to keep safe in our carbon monoxide guide.
Reduce energy bills
A poorly performing boiler is likely to be running inefficiently. This means that your energy bills could be increasing unnecessarily because energy is being wasted. The last thing we all need right now.
Plus, faulty boilers with unknown issues have a greater chance of breakdown. This could leave you without hot water and heating. Not ideal in the winter!
Avoid expensive repairs
Finally, you need to service the boiler in order to keep your warranty validated and avoid pricey repairs. Most boiler manufacturers offer warranties between 2 and 10 years.
During this time period, if your boiler requires any emergency call-outs, maintenance work or replacements, the cost will be covered by your insurance provider.
However, boiler cover must be included in your home insurance policy for free maintenance. To keep your warranty valid, you must have your boiler serviced once a year by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer.
What is the average boiler service cost in 2023?
Now you have a good idea why you need to service your boiler, let’s get into the costs. There are a couple of factors that can affect the cost of a boiler service in the UK. We will cover these points shortly. However, the average cost for a boiler service in 2023 is around £120. This will be a one-off fee.
How much does a boiler service cost with British gas?
British Gas offer both monthly and annual payment options for their boiler services without changing the total cost. To find out how much they will charge in your area, simply enter your postcode on their website to get a quote. The average cost to service a boiler by British Gas is £93 per year or £7.75 a month.
What affects the cost of a boiler service?
As we mentioned earlier, there are a variety of circumstances that can determine the total service cost. Here are a few examples of things that can affect the cost of a boiler service.
Where you live
Like most living costs in the UK, where you live in the country can affect the price of your boiler service. The South is generally more expensive than the North. Major cities also have higher boiler service costs than the countryside because of the increased labor costs.
Your boiler type and age
There are several different types of boilers in UK homes, each with varying service costs. The most common models such as combi boilers tend to be cheaper to service than the rare types. This is simply because the typical types require less specialised tools and knowledge to service.
Age is also an important factor. The older your boiler, the more expensive the service is likely to be. There is also a higher chance of it needing repairs. Especially if it has not been serviced in a long time.
If you’re not sure how old your boiler is, you can find out by checking the serial number on the unit. Or, contacting the manufacturer.
The time of year
Depending on what time of year you book your boiler service, the cost can go up and down. The cheapest time of year to service a boiler is the summer. This is because gas safe registered engineers don’t have as much work on in the warmer months when people are not turning the heating on.
Whereas in the winter, boiler breakdowns are much more common from being fired up for the first time in a while. You are also likely to be able to book a service much sooner in the summer when the engineers are not as busy.
Plus, you will have peace of mind knowing that your boiler will be in top shape for winter if you have it checked in the summer.
Boiler service cost by type
As we mentioned earlier, the type of boiler you have determines the cost to service. Let’s take a look at the cost comparisons for each boiler type.
Combi boiler service cost
Modern combi boilers are the most common and the cheapest to service. It will cost you around £80 to £100 to service a combi boiler. This is because they are straightforward systems that are easy to access and quicker to check over.
Gas boiler service cost
Gas boilers cost between £100 to £130 to service. Often the heating engineer will also service the other gas appliances in your home during the time period.
Oil boiler service cost
The cost to service an oil boiler is usually the most expensive at around £140 and above. This is because they tend to take longer to complete as there are more components to inspect.
What does a full boiler service include?
During a full boiler service, the heating engineer will examine several features including:
- Looking for leaks
- Cleaning components
- Checking boiler pressure
- Inspecting the boiler flue
- Ensuring controls are working
- Reviewing wear and tear
- Removing any blockages
Once all the functionality and safety checks are completed, the gas safe engineer will provide a full service report. They should also explain if there are any repairs, replacement parts or maintenance work that needs to be carried out.
Do they check radiators during a boiler service?
A general boiler service does not usually include checking the radiators. This is because the general servicing and maintenance tasks that need to be done to keep your radiators working properly like bleeding can be completed yourself.
We have loads of information on how to look after your radiators over on our Advice Centre.
If you are concerned that your radiators are not working as they should and you don’t feel confident that it is a job you want to take on yourself, contact your heating engineer and ask for some advice. They may be able to check your radiators as part of the boiler service at an additional cost.
How long does a boiler service take?
The average boiler service takes around 30 minutes to an hour to complete. The total time depends on the type of boiler you have and the condition it is in. Combi boilers are the fastest to service because they are the easiest to access and inspect.
Gas boilers take longer to service because they have more complex components and safety checks to review. They often also require cleaning during the service to ensure that there are no dangerous carbon deposits in the system.
Can I service my own boiler?
No, you should never attempt to service your own boiler. Not only are you putting yourself at risk and causing potential damage, but your warranty will not be valid unless the service was completed by an engineer.
What is a boiler cover plan?
A boiler cover plan is an optional insurance that you can purchase in case your boiler breaks. Most boiler cover plans include the cost to hire a heating engineer to fix any problems. This means you can save money on boiler repairs in the long run.
Boiler service costs can also be included in your policy instead of an annual fee. They can even cover the cost of any parts that need to be replaced depending on the type you choose. You can opt for basic boiler breakdown cover or full central heating cover.
Some policies offer boiler cover as part of standard home insurance. So check if your boiler is already included before you spend extra on a boiler service plan.
If you are renting your home, it is the responsibility of the landlord to provide the boiler cover. They must also ensure that your heating system is working properly and safely.
Do I legally have to have my boiler serviced?
Since regular servicing is a requirement for your boiler insurance policy, you will not legally be able to claim for repairs if you do not service your boiler. However, you do not legally have to have your boiler serviced as a homeowner.
Landlords on the other hand legally have to book boiler services for their properties. It is not the responsibility of the tenant to service the boiler if they are renting the property.
Boiler service cost recap
The next time you are booking your boiler service, remember:
- The annual boiler service cost is around £120.
- The total service time will be 30 minutes to an hour.
- Boiler service cost can be included in your boiler cover plan.
