Daikin Boiler Service & Maintenance
With the right amount of care and maintenance, a Daikin boiler can heat your home for 10-15 years.
A crucial part of this maintenance is the annual boiler service by a Gas Safe engineer. It's an absolute must if you want to keep your warranty and ensure it's working safely and running at its maximum efficiency, i.e. getting your heating bills stay as low as possible.
What is a boiler service?
A boiler service should be carried out annually by a fully-qualified Gas Safe heating engineer. The service will involve a series of checks and tests to ensure that the boiler is running safely and efficiently.
If you have an oil boiler then the engineer must be OFTEC registered, but for gas boilers by Daikin, you need to find a Gas Safe registered engineer. This 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.
From start to finish, a boiler service should last at least 30 minutes but this time will differ depending on the type of boiler and whether the engineer comes across any problems or parts which need replacing.
Why is it Important to Service Your Daikin Boiler?
Without a regular service your boiler could develop potentially dangerous problems and you risk damaging your boiler, shortening its lifespan and getting higher heating bills.
Vital Safety Checks
One of the most important reasons for getting your boiler serviced every year is the safety checks that the engineer will carry out. During a service, the engineer will be able to spot any current or potential future faults that could cause harm such as a carbon monoxide leak. This is a potentially fatal gas which is hard to detect because it's colourless and odourless. If you spot that the flame in your boiler is orange, rather than blue, there could be a leak. Don't wait until your annual service to find out – contact a Gas Safe engineer right away.
Keep Heating Bills Low
Everyone is looking to keep their heating bills as low as possible and an annual service is a great way to see how you could be saving. Over the years, a boiler will gradually lose its efficiency, increasing your energy bills. A well maintained boiler is more energy efficient which means it will use less fuel to heat your home. Having your boiler serviced each year will bring to light any components that have dropped in condition to keep the unit running efficiently for longer and you'll enjoy lower energy bills.
Prevent Breakdowns
The smallest change in the way your boiler behaves could signify a fault or need for maintenance. These small things are easily ignored but the longer you do the more you're at risk of the issue becoming a major breakdown, and they can be costly! Arranging an annual boiler service gives a professional engineer the opportunity to check the system for early signs of wear and tear before you're facing a hefty repair bill.
Warranty
Daikin include a 2 year warranty as standard with their boilers but it is possible to extend this up to 3, 5 or 7 years if it is installed by an engineer who is a member of Daikin's partner programme. However, to keep the warranty valid the boiler needs to be serviced on an annual basis by a Gas Safe engineer. Without a warranty you'll be responsible for the costs of any repairs which can be pricey, so an annual service is well worth the peace of mind and could actually save you money in the long run.
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Boiler Service Checklist
You shouldn't allow the engineer to begin work on your boiler until you've checked that they're fully qualified. You can do this by asking to see their Gas Safe card. Onde you're happy the engineer will carry out some standard efficiency, operational and safety checks:
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- To begin, the engineer will inspect the boiler to check for signs of corrosion or leaking and also make sure that the flame burns blue.
- They will then remove the boiler casing to have a look at the inside of the boiler; cleaning many of the parts such as the heat exchanger, burner, main injector, safety devices and spark probe.
- It will then be a case of checking that the flue terminals are fitted safely and that nothing is blocking them. They will also make sure that seals, water and gas pipework are all intact.
- They will check the gas pressure and flow settings to ensure they're at the correct level.
- The final part of a boiler service involves the engineer starting the boiler up so they can check for any faults in operation as well as issues with temperature controls or potential repairs.
After the service, the engineer will provide you with a service report detailing everything they've done during the boiler service. Don't hesitate to ask the engineer any questions you have about the report.
How Much Does a Daikin Boiler Service Cost?
Your boiler service is likely to cost between £60 – £120 but this can vary depending on which engineer you choose. The best way to get the best price is to find quotes from a few different engineers so you can compare.
Sometimes you can save money on the cost of a boiler service by getting it taken care of in the summer rather than the winter as engineers are less busy. This also means you can get any small problems taken care of before the really cold weather hits and you need the boiler at its best.
Other factors to consider include the make of boiler, its age and where you are located in the UK. The price will also increase if the engineer finds any faults which need repairing or parts which need replacing.
NEVER try to carry out a boiler service yourself – always find a Gas Safe registered boiler engineer.
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Boiler Service Plans
There is the option to take out a boiler service plan which enables you to pay for your annual service via monthly payments so you don't have the big lump sum to deal with.
However, when you consider that a boiler service plan often costs over £100 when you add up all the payments, it can make more financial sense to pay the one-off fee for an annual service as and when required.
For boilers which are no longer covered by a manufacturer's warranty boiler cover or insurance is another option. These plans will often include the annual service as part of the arrangement and will cover the costs of repairs needed so you don't have any surprises. If your boiler is over 8 years old this is definitely worth considering.
Boiler Maintenance
In addition to the annual service, there are a few things you can do yourself to keep the boiler working as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Check the pilot light
If the pilot light flame on your boiler is strong and blue the boiler is working as it should be. If you ever see an orange or yellow flame it means there is a problem as the boiler is not burning its fuel completely. This is a serious safety issue as the boiler could be leaking carbon monoxide which is incredibly poisonous and potentially lethal gas.
Insulate Your Pipes
Frozen pipes can cause blockages which can lead to increased pressure, leaks and complete breakdown. You can easily insulate pipes with lagging such as mineral or glass wool, polyethylene or foam.
Monitor the Pressure
Over time the pressure in the heating system will drop so you should check the pressure gauge on a regular basis. It should sit between 1 and 1.5 bar; if it's too low the boiler will struggle to fire and if it's too high it can cause damage. You can adjust the pressure yourself using your manufacturer's instruction manual.
Keep the Boiler Ventilated and Free of Clutter
To run safely a boiler (and flue) needs space around it to ensure it has enough ventilation. This will also make maintenance, servicing and repairs much easier.
Insulate Your Home as Much as Possible
If heat is escaping through window seals, letterboxes, chimneys or other draughts your boiler is having to work harder to keep you warm which may mean it won't last as long and your fuel bills will be higher.
Annual Servicing
While there are many things you can do to help your boiler run safely and efficiently, there's no replacement for an annual boiler service. The thought of spending money each year on a boiler service might not sound appealing but great deal are out there and it really helps to compare quotes too.
Need a Daikin Boiler Service?
Comparing boiler service quotes from several engineers can really help when it comes to saving money. Rather than going with the first engineer you come across, get quotes from a few places and you'll give yourself the best chance of getting a great deal.
Using Boiler Guide, you can get free quotes from up to 3 Gas Safe engineers in your area.
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