Gas Boiler Service in Ireland: Who Does It Best?

Who provides the best gas boiler service in Ireland? In our gas boiler service guide, we’ll walk you through what a gas boiler service is and which provider you should go with for yours. We’ll also cover how much a gas boiler service now costs in Ireland!

What Is a Gas Boiler Service?

A gas boiler service is essential for keeping your gas boiler in good working order. A gas boiler service is simply a review of your boiler, checking for any faults and repairing any damage that might spell danger in the future. Gas boiler services are important to conduct on a regular basis to ensure your household’s safety.

Why Should I Service My Boiler?

Getting a gas boiler service regularly is important for many reasons. The main reasons you should get a gas boiler service are:

1. Ensure Your Safety
   A poorly maintained boiler increases the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. On average, six people die each year in Ireland from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes. This is usually caused by faults with the central heating system.
2. For Insurance Purposes
   Most boiler warranties and home insurance policies require proof that the boiler is working properly. An annual boiler service will typically serve as confirmation. We recommend you check with your insurance company to see what exactly is required.
3. Avoid Expensive Repairs
   The engineer will check for any minor issues with the boiler. Not fixing these minor issues could lead to bigger (and more expensive) repairs down the road.
4. Decrease Your Gas Bills
   Servicing your boiler regularly ensures that it runs efficiently. By running efficiently, the boiler consumes less energy. This results in lower gas bills and also helps to reduce your carbon footprint!

What’s Included in a Gas Boiler Service?

Regardless if you choose to have your gas boiler service done by a local technician or a national gas provider, both should follow a gas boiler checklist, which generally includes the following:

1. Visual Inspection
   The RGI will visually inspect the boiler. He/she will ensure that the gas boiler and any associated pipework are installed correctly and in the right position.
2. Check the Controls
   The engineer will test the different controls to make sure they operate properly. He/she will check that all of the safety features are functioning correctly as well.
3. Remove Casing
   The gas boiler casing will be removed to allow the engineer to check that the main components are functioning properly.
4. Gas Pressure Check
   The engineer will perform a gas pressure check to make sure the boiler operates at the right gas pressure.
5. Run a Flue Test
   The RGI will check the flue, which is the pipe that runs from the boiler to outside your house. He/she will check that nothing is obstructing its terminals, that it is properly fitted, and that no harmful emissions are being released.
6. Cleaning
   The gas boiler parts will be cleaned as necessary.
7. Attach the Casing
   The casing will be put back on the gas boiler and sealed.
8. Get Your Checklist
   The RGI will leave you a checklist. This will have all of the information that you need concerning the safety of your gas boiler.

There are lots of items to check off during a gas boiler service. These include the following:

• Boiler operation
• Heating controls
• Flame sense device
• Pilot burner and related cables
• High-limit thermostat
• Gas and pressure flow
• Flue effectiveness
• Adequate ventilation
• Electrical wiring connections
• Location of the boiler and nearby combustible materials
• Safety devices
• Seals

After all the tests have been performed the engineer will tell you if anything needs to be repaired and provide you with a declaration of conformance, which you should ONLY sign if you are happy they have carried out all the tasks above.

How Long Does a Gas Boiler Service Take?

A gas boiler service will take approximately 45 minutes to an hour to complete. If repairs are required, then it will likely take a bit longer depending on the type of repair necessary.

What If I Need Boiler Parts Replaced?

If parts of the gas boiler need to be replaced, those with older boilers will likely have to wait longer for the parts to be sourced and installed than those with newer boilers. This is because some of the parts can become obsolete rather quickly as newer and more efficient models are rolled out.

When Is the Busiest Time for a Gas Boiler Service?

If you need to make a callout, note that engineers may take longer to respond during the winter months. This is because most boiler and plumbing issues occur during this time when people are heating their homes, so don’t expect 24-hour availability.

How Often Should I Have a Gas Boiler Service?

You should get a gas boiler service once a year. This will ensure that it continues to operate efficiently and safely.

An efficient boiler leads to lower gas consumption and therefore lower energy bills. Safety is the most critical aspect of the gas boiler service. By ensuring that the gas burns properly, the risk of it leaking poisonous emissions is drastically reduced.

In addition to higher energy bills and potentially the leaking of toxic emissions, not having your gas boiler serviced regularly could also result in the warranty ending early. If it needs repairs or to be replaced, you’ll then be expected to foot the bill.

Who Provides the Best Gas Boiler Service?

There are many options on the Irish market for a gas boiler service and it's important to go shopping around before you take out a plan. There are usually two ways to go in Ireland, either you can take out a gas boiler cover with an energy provider, or you can choose a local technician to come and service it for you.

Which Energy Providers Do Boiler Services?

Three of the bigger suppliers offer gas boiler services in Ireland including Bord Gáis Energy, SSE Airtricity and Energia. If you’re a customer with any of these providers, you can also add the gas boiler service to your tariff, but you don’t need to be with the same provider if there’s a better deal with someone else.

Can I Hire a Local Gas Boiler Service Technician?

If you prefer to hire a local gas boiler service technician for your boiler service, you can look into finding a professional to come and check your gas boiler for you. A recent survey conducted by OnlineTradesmen.ie found the average cost of a gas boiler service to be €73. Costs vary depending on the company and location.

The gas boiler service cost tends to be more in urban areas than in rural locations. In some rural areas, the survey found the average gas boiler service cost is as low as €60.

What If I Live in an Urban Area?

If you live in an urban area though, prices for a gas boiler service can range significantly. The main counties affected are:

1. Gas boiler service Dublin
2. Gas boiler service Limerick
3. Gas boiler service Cork
4. Gas boiler service Kilkenny

We look at each of these counties' local gas boiler service technician options below.

Important! When choosing a local technician, make sure that your boiler is serviced by an RGII (Registered Gas Installer). You can verify the technicians' credentials in the directory search portion of the RGII webpage.

Servicing your gas boiler by unregistered installers may not be up to safety standards, and it also runs the risk of invalidating home insurance or BER (Building Energy Rating) certificates, issued by the SEAI.

How Are Gas Boiler Services Across Ireland?

How Much Is a Gas Boiler Service in Dublin?

This probably comes as no surprise to those Dubs who are well used to paying above-average for the privilege of living in the capital city. In Dublin, prices generally start from €85 and tend to be closer to €100.

What About in Other Counties?

Those who live in these counties can pay as low as €60 for a gas boiler service in Cork, Limerick, or Kilkenny.

As such, if you live here or in a rural area, opting for a local technician to service your gas boiler can bring you some significant savings. This holds especially true if your boiler is relatively new and is unlikely to need much maintenance or repair.