Ideal Boiler Service & Maintenance
With the right level of maintenance an Ideal boiler could heat your home for 10-15 years after installation, but a crucial part of this maintenance is the annual service.
During a professional boiler service by a Gas Safe engineer, the safety and efficiency of the boiler will be checked and tested; helping to protect your home and keep your heating bills as low as possible.
What is a boiler service?
A service of a boiler involves a fully-qualified heating engineer testing the boiler to ensure that it's operating safely and efficiently. They'll also look the boiler over inside and out for signs of any issues or faults. A boiler should undergo a service every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas boilers or an OFTEC engineer for oil boilers.
Ideal boilers are powered by gas meaning that you need to hire a Gas Safe engineer for the service. To check if an engineer is Gas Safe registered, you can find out online via the Gas Safe website but you should also ask to see their Gas Safe ID card when they arrive at your home too.
From start to finish, a boiler service will last 30 minutes, give or take, but this will vary depending on the model of boiler and whether the engineer comes across any issues.
Boiler service checklist
When you're happy that the engineer is qualified to work on your boiler, they'll run through a series of standard checks including, but not limited to, the following:
- To start, they will visually inspect the boiler to ensure that the pilot light is burning blue and check for any signs of corrosion or leaking.
- The engineer will remove the outer casing to inspect and clean part on the inside such as the heat exchanger.
- They will ensure that the flue terminals aren't being obstructed and that the water and gas pipes are all intact.
- Check that the gas pressure and flow settings are all at the necessary levels.
- Towards the end of the service, the engineer will fire up the boiler to see how it performs in operation. This will help to bring any faults with the components or temperature controls to their attention.
When the boiler service is complete, your engineer will provide a boiler service report giving details of everything that they've done. If there's anything in the report you don't understand be sure to ask them to explain.
Why it’s important to service your Ideal boiler
Safety
If the boiler isn't burning fuel completely it can cause a carbon monoxide leak. A carbon monoxide leak is the main threat to your safety; this odourless and colourless gas could have lethal consequences if undetected. You should have a carbon monoxide alarm installed near the boiler to detect a leak but a boiler service will give an engineer the opportunity to spot the potential for a leak before it happens.
If you suspect carbon monoxide is leaking from your boiler then you shouldn't hesitate to get in touch with a Gas Safe engineer or the Gas Emergency line on 0800 111 999 – don't wait for a service.
Keep heating bills low
A boiler's efficiency drops with age, which is bad news for your heating bills. During a boiler service the engineer will ensure the efficient running of the system to help keep bills to a minimum.
Prevent breakdowns
Rather than staring in the face of a hefty repair bill further down the line, an engineer will be able to spot a fault before it has chance to develop. Even the smallest of boiler problem can cause damage or breakdowns if left to develop into something much worse. Arranging a boiler service helps to detect the early signs of a fault, and prevention is always better than cure.
Warranty
Ideal boilers can include up to 15 years of warranty which is one of the longest warranties on the market. However, this warranty becomes meaningless if the boiler isn't serviced by a Gas Safe engineer every year which means you'll be responsible for the cost of repairs needed during that time.
Ideal boiler service costs
The average boiler service will usually cost between £60 – £120 but there are several factors that will influence the final price. For example, where you live could mean a higher price as engineers in the south tends to be more expensive than the north. Other factors include the type of boiler being service and how old it is.
Should the engineer find an issue with your Ideal boiler then you'll be charged for the repair on top of the service.
Arranging a boiler service during the summer can save you money as heating engineers don't tend to have as much work on at that time of year and prices are more competitive. You'll also have peace of mind that your boiler is ready for the winter when you'll need it most.
NEVER try to carry out a boiler service yourself – always find a Gas Safe registered boiler engineer.
Boiler service plans
If you think you'll struggle to meet the one-off cost of a boiler service you may want to consider a boiler service plan. These plans mean that you make monthly payments to cover the cost of a service and any repairs, rather than making an upfront payment. However, the monthly payments will often add up to more than the one-off price of a service, so if you can afford to pay for it upfront it makes more financial sense in the long term.
For boilers which are no longer covered by a warranty you can also opt for a boiler cover plan which includes servicing and repairs. This is usually best for older boilers which are at a higher risk of breakdowns.
Ideal offer maintenance plan which is provided by Domestic & General Services Limited. These plans include:
- Annual service to help maintain your boiler
- Exclusive access to the Ideal Boiler Care portal
- Repairs up to the value of £1,500 if an issue is found during the annual service or your boiler stops working
- Ongoing hints and tips to keep the boiler in good working order
- Access to Ideal's dedicated Contact Centre: 7 days a week, 364 days a year
- Services & repairs carried out by Gas Safe registered Ideal engineers.
Boiler maintenance
While an annual boiler service is crucial, there are several checks that you can carry out yourself to keep your Ideal boiler running at maximum performance.
Insulate the pipes
As the temperature drops during the winter, pipes become susceptible to freezing, causing blockages which could then lead to the increased pressure, a leak or a full on boiler breakdown. With the right insulation, the pipes will be better protected from the cold weather.
Insulating your pipes with lagging (mineral or glass wool, polyethylene or foam) is a simple but effective way to keep your boiler healthy.
Monitor the pressure
Checking the boiler pressure is really important and doesn't even take much time. Pressure which is too high or too low can cause the boiler to stop working. It should read between 1 and 2 bar on the gauge; if you find it does not, you can repressurise the system yourself following the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Insulate your home
A poorly insulated home will be letting the heat generated by your boiler escape, meaning that the boiler has to work even harder to keep your home at the desired temperature and will use more fuel, contributing to higher heating bills. This will also increase wear and tear on the boiler's components which could lead to repair bills and a shorter lifespan.
Annual servicing
These DIY checks are excellent habits to get into. But they're no replacement for an annual boiler service by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Let us know that it’s time to service your boiler and we’ll take a care of the rest. In no time at all, you’ll get a free quote from a local heating engineer.
