Why Your Boiler Needs a Service Every 12 Months

A boiler should be serviced every 12 months to keep it safe, working correctly and within its manufacturer warranty. A service from LAB Plumbing & Heating costs £85 to £120, and cleaning parts such as the heat exchanger can also help efficiency. The LAB Boiler Care plan is £12.99 a month and includes an annual service, priority booking, 50% off call-out fees and WhatsApp support, subject to an eligibility inspection and terms.

Most boilers carry on working quietly in the background for months at a time, so it is easy to forget about them until something goes wrong. A yearly service is the simplest way to make sure yours is working safely and correctly, and it is usually far cheaper than dealing with a breakdown in the middle of winter. Here is what a service involves, why every 12 months is the right interval, and how the LAB Boiler Care plan makes it easier to keep on top of servicing.

Safety Comes First

A boiler service is mainly about safety. A gas boiler burns gas to heat your home, and if a seal, a component or the flue is not working as it should, the boiler may not burn it cleanly. A service checks that everything is sealed, venting correctly and responding the way it was designed to.

We are Gas Safe registered, and every service includes a flue gas test with a calibrated analyser alongside checks on the gas pressure, burner and safety devices. If anything needs attention, you are told straight away.

What Happens During a Service

A typical service covers the parts of the boiler that keep it safe and working correctly:

• Gas pressure and burner: Checked to make sure the boiler is receiving the right supply and burning properly.
• Flue gas analysis: The flue gases are tested with a calibrated analyser to confirm the boiler is combusting correctly.
• Seals and condensate: Seals are inspected and the condensate trap and pipe are checked so the boiler can drain as it should.
• Controls and safety devices: Thermostats, controls and safety devices are tested to make sure they respond correctly.
• Cleaning where needed: Key parts such as the heat exchanger are cleaned where required.

Can a Service Help Efficiency?

The main job of a service is to keep the boiler safe and working correctly, but some parts of it can also help the boiler run more efficiently. Cleaning the heat exchanger, for example, helps heat pass into the water in your system the way it should.

A service is also a good chance to spot small issues early. A minor fault found during a routine visit is usually simpler to put right than one that is left until the boiler stops working altogether.

Why Every 12 Months?

Boilers should be serviced every 12 months, for two main reasons. The first is safety: a yearly check means any problem with the way the boiler is running is picked up within a reasonable time. The second is your warranty. Most manufacturers ask for a service every 12 months to keep the warranty valid, so skipping a year can leave you paying for a repair that would otherwise have been covered.

Cost and the LAB Boiler Care Plan

A boiler service from LAB Plumbing & Heating costs £85 to £120. If you would rather spread the cost and have extra support through the year, the LAB Boiler Care plan is £12.99 a month and includes:

• An annual boiler service: Your yearly service is included in the plan.
• Priority booking: Plan members are given priority when booking work.
• 50% off call-out fees: Half-price call-outs if something goes wrong.
• WhatsApp support: Quick advice and fault diagnosis by message before a visit.

Every boiler has an eligibility inspection before it joins the plan. Boiler Care eligibility and full terms apply, and details are available on request. You can read more about what a service covers on our boiler servicing page.

Frequently Asked Questions