How Often Should I Have a Central Heating Service?
How Often Should I Have a Central Heating Service
?
If a property is rented, the law states that a landlord must have a central heating service carried out annually, yet this law does not extend to people living in their own homes. It is in your interests to have this procedure carried out annually however for a number of reasons.
The most important reason for a central heating service is for safety. A faulty boiler can result in carbon monoxide leaking out into the home environment. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to extreme illness and even death for humans and animals living in the house and so trying to save money by skipping a central heating service is a very bad idea. The dangerous thing about carbon monoxide is that it is invisible to all of the senses; we can't see, taste or smell it and so the first sign of its presence is usually illness. It simply isn't worth the risk to you and your family's health and wellbeing.
It's actually a false economy to think that by cutting out a boiler service you will save money. A boiler runs far more efficiently when it's been serviced regularly, meaning you will save money on your heating bills over the years, rather than paying extra for wasted energy. This is of course also much kinder to the environment too, should you be keen to increase your green credentials.
Be sure to use a reputable company for your central heating service and ask beforehand exactly what will be done during the procedure. Some unscrupulous tradesmen may simply carry out a safety check without a proper inspection and cleaning. Ideally your boiler should be stripped down and the major components should be cleaned and tested. The procedure should take at least an hour to complete.
You should get your boiler serviced as soon as you have had it for one year, and each subsequent year after. Services are especially important if you have a condensing boiler as these feature condensate traps which must be cleaned out once a year.
Choose a plumbing firm that guarantees all of its own work so that if there is a problem after the tradesman has left, you will be covered for this. Most good plumbing firms are happy to cover their own work with a guarantee.
Alli Jacobs frequently writes about safety in the home and the importance of a regular central heating service.