So when was the last time you had your boiler serviced?
Is it an appointment that tends to slip, like that six-monthly dentist’s check-up that always becomes yearly because of how hectic things always seem to be? You know, really, it doesn’t have to be like that.
People of Harrogate, this is a good time of year to bite the bullet/take the plunge/make that call. It might feel like a counter-intuitive one because, logically, boiler servicing should happen ahead of the winter months rather than spring and summer.
After all, winter is when it’s really going to be put through its paces. By contrast, summer is when your boiler is supposed to take a bit of a breather – the perfect time, in other words, for a check-up so as to ensure it’s in the best possible shape when the hard graft is needed.
It’s a proactive decision rather than a reactive one. Chances are that it won’t come as a result of the discovery of a leak, or that sinking heart feeling you get when you hold your hand under the shower first thing in the morning and the water stays ice cold. Little prospect of freezing showers then – meaning you can make the right choices and not be rushed into a decision you might later regret.
Moreover, if you book your boiler in for a service sooner rather than later, you stand more chance of getting hold of a service engineer when you want.
No matter how old (or how new) your boiler is, regular servicing reaps a dividend. It means a prolonged lifespan and minimises the chance of a major problem developing. Best of all, it will save you money in the long run.
It might be the case that your current boiler has warmed its last bath and radiator: a brand new model is needed.
Newer boilers tend to be more efficient. Did you know, for example, that the latest combi models have an efficiency rating of over 90 per cent? With figures as good as that, it’s worth noting that a brand-new energy efficient boiler can pay for itself inside a few years. Also, a high-efficiency rating also means fewer CO2 emissions.
Then again, it might be worth persisting with the model you already have. In this scenario, there will be various factors to consider: if spare parts are needed, are they readily available? And how much are the repairs really going to cost?
This is the classic false economy, in that you end up spending more, in the long run, repairing an old boiler than investing in a new model with a warranty. Moreover, more repairs mean more inconvenience: ensuring you’ll be at home when the service engineer arrives, for example.
Taking this line of thinking to an extreme, it might even be the case that you fancy having a go at repairing the boiler yourself or know someone who’s a bit of a dab hand with this sort of thing.
Well, all we’ll say is that it’s not a job anyone can do. At MV Plumbing & Heating, we use Gas Safe Registered installers, and we’re always sure to get original manufacturer parts from a trusted supplier. No eBay for us.
What’s certain is that such a course of action will invalidate any manufacturer warranty you might have. A new boiler can have a warranty of up to 10 years, yet it comes with conditions – such as the upkeep of regular servicing by qualified engineers using original manufacturer parts.
Whatever the situation you find yourself in, it’s always best to consult a professional engineer before making a decision.
So why not speak to Harrogates’ finest: MV Plumbing & Heating? For advice or a free, no obligation quote, contact us today on 01423 572 150.
