How Can I Get a Boiler Service in Ireland?

Boiler services are extremely important. Whether your boiler is working fine or you suspect it's having some problems, getting a boiler service can guarantee its longevity for years. Regular servicing not only ensures efficient operation but also helps in early detection of potential issues, saving you from costly repairs down the line. Find out more in our complete Boiler Service guide!

Why Should I Have a Boiler Service?

Boiler services are vital for ensuring your boiler is in working condition. Boilers are extremely expensive appliances, and replacing one can cost you thousands, but regular servicing is also crucial for your safety at home.

A service conducted by a gas registered engineer can check everything is functioning correctly and identify potential future problems. Having a robust boiler cover offers peace of mind, preventing the need for expensive replacements later. So, what are the reasons for getting your boiler serviced, and how often should it be done? What are the expected costs?

What Are the Advantages of a Boiler Service?

There are many advantages to having your boiler properly and regularly serviced, including:

• Ensuring Household Safety
  Safety is paramount when it comes to boiler operation. Regular servicing helps prevent dangerous incidents, ensuring the safety of your household. It's a proactive measure to avoid potential hazards like gas leaks or carbon monoxide emissions.
• Prolonging Boiler Lifespan
  Regular servicing plays a critical role in prolonging the life of your boiler. By addressing minor issues early, you can prevent them from escalating into major problems, thereby extending the lifespan of your boiler significantly.
• Enhancing Heating Efficiency
  Servicing your boiler leads to more efficient heating, which in turn means energy savings. An energy-efficient system not only reduces your carbon footprint but also leads to cheaper utility bills, making it a financially smart decision.
• Minimising Breakdowns and Repairs
  Regular boiler servicing reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns and the need for expensive repairs. It helps in identifying wear and tear early, allowing for timely maintenance that keeps your boiler running smoothly.

Why Is Safety Such a Concern When It Comes to Boilers?

Put simply, faulty boilers can cause dangerous issues in your home, such as carbon monoxide poisoning. According to the HSE, six people die per year on average from carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s simply not worth the risk.

What Types of Boiler Service Are There?

Before we delve further into these questions, it is important to know that a boiler service will vary according to the type of boiler you have. There are four common types of boilers and combi boilers in Ireland:

1. Oil boilers
2. Electric boilers
3. Gas boilers
4. LPG boilers

Below, we break down the boiler service details for each type of boiler.

What Is an Oil Boiler Service?

Oil boilers are less common than other types of boilers. Consequently, fewer companies service them. On the bright side, companies that do service oil boilers tend to offer better hours for callouts. In some cases, the servicing may even be cheaper. This will come as a relief to those with oil boilers considering that heating your home with oil is much more expensive than with gas.

How Do I Get an Oil Boiler Service?

You should hire an OFTEC engineer to carry out the oil boiler service for you. The engineer will check and clean all components of the oil boiler.

Before the engineer leaves, you should confirm they have done everything on their oil boiler service checklist. If possible, get these steps in writing. This will come in handy if there are any problems and the manufacturer wants to check you have properly had the boiler serviced.

The oil boiler service should include the following:

• Checking the safety of all parts
• Check for any leaks in the pipework
• Check the gases that are pumped out by the flue
• Check there is no water in the oil storage tank

Hometherm Ireland also has a handy checklist you can use to make sure your oil boiler service is up to scratch.

One particular thing to note with oil boilers is that if deposits produced during the combustion process are not removed properly by cleaning during servicing, they can harden and destroy key components of the boiler. Therefore, it’s extra important to have your oil boiler serviced at least once a year.

How Much Does an Oil Boiler Service Cost in Ireland?

An oil boiler service typically costs €60 to €100. The price of the oil boiler service can vary depending on the following:

• The type of oil boiler that you have
• The location of where the boiler service is done

Before getting an oil boiler service, check with the manufacturer and your energy supplier to see if they could carry out the service for you. Your boiler insurance may include its annual service.

If you decide not to get your oil boiler serviced, it could end up costing you more in the long run if your boiler breaks down or requires an expensive repair.

How Does an Electric Boiler Service Work?

Since electric boilers do not have any type of exhaust pipe, do not emit carbon monoxide, and do not leak any hazardous gases, they do not require annual maintenance like most other types of boilers. Since it is not an annual requirement, an electric boiler service is linked more to a repair or breakdown.

How Do I Get an Electric Boiler Service?

Most companies who offer an electric boiler service are often referring to your heat pump maintenance. If interested, our home heating guide covers everything about heat pumps and other heating systems for your home.

Routine maintenance on your heat pump will ensure better performance and keep your monthly electricity bill down. Having a professional examine your electric heat pump once every three to five years should suffice.

The heat pump maintenance service should include the following:

• Fixing all your unit’s vital parts to prevent expensive repairs.
• Cleaning of the coils and other surfaces.
• Verify refrigerant pressure levels.
• Verify that the heat pump is safely earthed.
• Verification of the control operations.

How Much Does an Electric Boiler Service Cost?

In Ireland, the average maintenance of a heat pump will start at €65. You will want a technician certified and trained by the manufacturer to perform the maintenance of your heat pump. Otherwise, you may be foregoing any warranty your heat pump system comes with.

What Is a Gas Boiler Service?

This is the most common type of boiler found in Ireland. As such, we have a comprehensive guide dedicated to gas boiler services. Have a look to find the average costs, what needs to be done, and recommended service providers.

Your boiler should be serviced at least once a year. Doing so will ensure it's operating properly and reduce the chances of it breaking down. If you don't get your boiler serviced at least once a year, the warranty may be void.

In addition to having your boiler serviced once a year, you can also do some basic maintenance yourself. Head to our Boiler Maintenance guide for more information.

How Do I Get a Gas Boiler Service?

Although several independent companies do provide cheaper gas boiler servicing, sometimes it can be more reassuring and easier to organise it with your energy supplier if they provide this option. Plus you can be certain that the engineers arriving at your home are fully-insured RGIs.

How Much Does a Gas Boiler Service Cost?

A recent survey found the average boiler service cost to be €73. Besides the service provider, location played a big part in the price variation.

For some reason, boiler service costs tend to be higher in urban areas than in rural locations. Boiler service costs are as low as €60 in some rural areas.

What Is a LPG Boiler Service?

LPG boilers are very similar to natural gas boilers. They do carry slightly different parts specifically designed to function for an LPG gas boiler. As such, you will want any LPG boiler service done by a certified technician for this type of boiler.

The important difference between an LPG boiler service and a natural gas boiler service is that you will want to ensure the technician verifies the LPG tank once a year as well. Rest assured that strict regulations are protecting you against any major mishaps with LPG tanks, but you will still want to have it inspected to be on the safe side.

How Do I Get an LPG Boiler Service?

You will want to ask your LPG gas provider, such as Flogas, for example, to conduct most maintenance work on your boiler. This is because your LPG gas provider usually is the owner of the cylinders and tanks provided. Some items you may want to look for and know if it is time to contact your provider to have your LPG boiler serviced:

• Check for any signs of corrosion or cracks in the hoses
• Any other signs of wear and tear
• Ensure proper ventilation around the cylinders or tanks
• Ensure the pressure gage is within the acceptable limits

How Much Do Common Boiler Replacement Parts Cost?

If you're still in any doubt about the importance of having your boiler serviced regularly. Check out how much it could cost you to replace boiler parts or any faulty or deteriorated parts.

Source: Heating Force
Last Updated: 16/11/2023