Only those who have endured an ice cold shower or climbed into freezing cold bedsheets after a difficult day can truly appreciate the importance of a properly functioning boiler. The warmth and comfort of a well-heated home is not to be undervalued, especially at this time of year, with the frostier seasons fast approaching.

Servicing your boiler annually is imperative to ensuring it reliably, safely, and efficiently heats your home throughout the year. A boiler service is akin to an MOT: a series of essential maintenance checks to ensure safe and efficient functioning and prevent issues from cropping up down the line. Failing to service your boiler can have significant and expensive consequences, making a chill in the air the least of your concerns by comparison.

TOP 4 risk of not servicing your boiler

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

When a boiler is not serviced regularly, this can lead to a buildup of dust, dirt, and debris, causing the boiler to receive insufficient oxygen and burn fuel incompletely. When this happens, the boiler produces carbon monoxide: a deadly, colourless, odourless gas which is notoriously difficult to detect.

Though boilers are designed to release this poisonous gas outside of your home through a flue, it can sometimes escape into your home, leading to a serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Servicing your boiler annually will ensure your boiler remains clean and receives a sufficient level of oxygen to burn fuel efficiently and, most importantly, safely.

Common signs of a carbon monoxide leak

  • The boiler has been struggling to stay alight (due to a lack of sufficient oxygen to maintain the flame);
  • You have been noticing more condensation on your windows than usual;
  • You have been experiencing any of the physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as:
    • Headaches;
    • Dizziness and confusion;
    • Nausea;
    • Shortness of breath;
    • Loss of consciousness.

Serious, Costly Repairs

A regular boiler service will usually catch issues in their early stages, keeping any problems on a minor scale and keeping maintenance costs to a minimum. However, left unmaintained, small problems can grow into serious, costly repair jobs. During a boiler service, your engineer will ensure your boiler is always running smoothly and can forecast and prevent any potential future problems. So, by servicing your boiler regularly, you can avoid facing expensive, complicated boiler repairs and enjoy a comfortable, warm home all year round.

Inefficient, Expensive Heating

When a boiler is well-maintained and healthy, it operates at its full capacity and maximum efficiency. This is the safest and most cost-efficient way to heat your home. Alternatively, a poorly maintained boiler will struggle to heat your home, leading to higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan. To avoid overspending on your utilities or paying for a new boiler installation prematurely, service your boiler annually to keep it operating at peak performance.

Invalidated Warranty

Many boiler warranties will require you to service your boiler annually to ensure it is safe. Otherwise, you could risk invalidating your policy. While there is no legal requirement for homeowners to service their boiler, without warranty, you could find yourself financially responsible for serious, costly repairs if your boiler were to break down or malfunction.

Hartswood Heating are a professional plumbing and heating company operating in Sussex and Surrey. To book in for a boiler service, get in touch with our friendly team today.