Baxi Boiler Service & Maintenance
With the right maintenance, a Baxi boiler should last 10-15 years in good working order.
The most crucial part of this maintenance is an annual boiler service by a Gas Safe engineer who will ensure it's working safely and at its maximum efficiency, i.e. getting your heating bills stay as low as possible.
What is a boiler service?
A boiler service needs to be carried out by a heating engineer who will visit your home to carry out several tests and checks on your boiler to ensure it's operating safely and as efficiently as effectively as possible. This should be done once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer in the case of gas boilers or an OFTEC registered engineer if you have an oil boiler.
For Baxi boilers, you need to find a Gas Safe registered engineer which means they are listed on the UK's official list of engineers legally allowed to work on gas appliances. You can check if an engineer is registered by visiting the Gas Safe Register website and you should always ask to see their Gas Safe ID card when they arrive to service your boiler.
Why it’s important to service your Baxi boiler
Safety
Safety is probably the biggest focus of an annual boiler service, as it can expose potentially fatal problems such as a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide, it's an odourless and colourless gas which can lead to illness, brain damage and even death.
If you have even a slight concern that carbon monoxide might be coming from your Baxi boiler – the pilot light should burn blue not yellow or orange – then you should contact an engineer straight away, don't wait until your next service is due.
Keep heating bills low
Knowing that your heating bills are as low as they possibly can be is often enough motivation to keep your annual service appointment. The engineer will check that all the parts of the boiler are in the best possible condition so it can achieve maximum efficiency for a longer period of time.
Prevent breakdowns
Even the smallest fault could one day turn into a major problem. Arranging a boiler service each year will bring minor issues to the attention of a professional engineer before it becomes something bigger and you avoid a large repair bill.
Don't lose out on the warranty
Baxi offer a standard warranty of 2, 5 or 7 years on most of their boilers but this can be increased up to 10 years in some cases. During the warranty period Baxi will cover the parts and labour cost of any repairs needed. However, to keep the warranty valid, the boiler needs to be serviced on an annual basis by a Gas Safe engineer.
Boiler service checklist
A Baxi boiler service by a competent Gas Safe engineer includes both efficiency and safety checks and gives the engineer the opportunity to ensure nothing needs replacing or fixing. A thorough boiler service should last at least 30 minutes.
- The engineer will check the boiler over visually to ensure it doesn't have any corrosion or leaks and that the flame is burning blue as this means it is burning fuel correctly.
- They will then remove the boiler casing to check and clean the internal components such as the heat exchanger, burner, main injector, safety devices and spark probe.
- The engineer will ensure that the flue terminals are clear of obstruction and fitted safely and that seals, water and gas pipework are intact.
- They will check the gas pressure and water flow settings to ensure they're at the correct level for your home.
- Finally, the boiler will be started up so the engineer can look for any operational faults with the boiler, temperature controls or potential issues for repair.
When the service is finished you'll receive a service report which will detail what they've done. If you don't understand anything on the report and would like clarification the engineer will be able to explain.
How much does a Baxi boiler service cost?
A one-off boiler service for your Baxi boiler is likely to cost between £60 – £120 but this will depend on where you are in the country, which boiler model you have, how old it is and which engineer you choose to do the work.
It's sometimes possible to save money on the cost of a boiler service by getting it taken care of in the summer rather than the winter. This also means you can get any small problems taken care of before the really cold weather hits and you're relying on your boiler for heating and hot water. If the engineer does find any faults you will need to pay for the repair on top of the service charge.
NEVER try to carry out a boiler service yourself – always find a Gas Safe registered boiler engineer.
Boiler service plans
For owners of boilers which are 8 or more years old and no longer under a manufacturer's warranty, a boiler cover and service plan can give great peace of mind that they won't face repair costs should the boiler break down. These plans mean the service cost is broken down into smaller monthly payments over the course of a year. When all the payments are added up this is a more expensive way of paying for a service but it can make more financial sense for some.
Baxi offer a range of maintenance and support plans including plans for boilers both and out of warranty. These plans start from £17.50 per month and can cover annual servicing and / protect your boiler and central heating system when it's out of warranty.
Boiler maintenance
In addition to an annual service, to keep your boiler operating at its most efficient all year round there is some simple maintenance you can take care of yourself to help your Baxi boiler do the best job possible.
Check the pilot light
The pilot light should be a strong blue flame if the boiler is working as it should. If you see an orange or yellow flame it's an indication that the boiler is not completely burning its fuel which could make a carbon dioxide leak a potential risk that needs to be checked ASAP.
Insulate your pipes
Insulating your pipes with lagging (mineral or glass wool, polyethylene or foam), can help to prevent the pipes from freezing during the winter. Frozen pipes can lead to high boiler pressure, leaking or even a boiler breakdown.
Monitor the pressure
It's normal for boiler pressure to gradually decrease as the boiler works but it's a very good idea to keep your eye on the pressure gauge to ensure it's not dropped too low. The reading should sit between 1 and 1.5 bar; any lower and the boiler might not fire up, while high pressure could lead to damage.
You should follow the steps in the manufacturer's instruction manual that came with your boiler to adjust the pressure. If you're in any doubt about how to do it you should contact a professional engineer.
Keep the boiler ventilated and free of clutter
The boiler needs plenty of space around it for ventilation so try and avoid cluttering the area too much. In addition, leaving plenty of room for manoeuvre around the unit will also help engineers when they arrive to carry out repairs, maintenance or servicing.
Insulate your home as much as possible
Without the right insulation, your boiler will have to work even harder to keep your home at the desired temperature, which is not good for your heating bills or the life expectancy of your boiler.
Need a Baxi boiler service?
Comparing boiler service quotes from several engineers is often the best way to save money.
For peace of mind that you've got the best service price possible, complete one of our simple online forms and you'll get free quotes from up to 3 Gas Safe trusted engineers in your local area. It's up to you which quote you choose and you're under no obligation to accept any of them.
Head back to the main Baxi page.
