How much does a boiler service cost? [June 2024]

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How does the type of boiler affect the cost of a service?

Electric boilers are often slightly cheaper to service than gas boilers, because they're slightly more straightforward, and the engineer servicing them doesn’t necessarily need to be Gas Safe Registered. 

While it's true that you don't need to be Gas Safe Registered to service electric boilers, it is still critical that you only instruct an experienced professional to service your boiler. 

Oil boilers - due to their size, complexity and the fact there aren’t that many of them around (and therefore not too many specialists) - can be slightly more expensive to service. If you have an oil boiler, it's recommended that you get it serviced by an OFTEC registered engineer.

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How do I know which type of boiler I have?

Most people in the UK use gas central heating (78%) ^[1] – and therefore have a gas boiler. But this won't be the case forever – new homes built from 2025 onwards in the UK will not be allowed to have a gas boiler. A ban on the sale of all gas boilers is expected to come into place in 2035.^[2]

Gas and electric boilers look quite similar from the outside, but there are some pretty big differences between the two - so it’s not too difficult to work out which you have.

Firstly - do you pay a gas bill? If you have no gas supply and no gas bill at the property, then you definitely don’t have a gas boiler. 

Paying a gas bill doesn’t necessarily mean a gas boiler though. For example, you may have a gas hob but an electric boiler. So the next thing to check is the flue.

Electric boilers use your mains electricity as their heating source. Because they’re not burning anything to heat your water, they have no external flue for exhaust gases. So if you have a flue running out from your boiler, it’s going to be a gas boiler.

And when it comes to oil boilers –  you’ll know if you're in the 6% of households that has one, as you’ll be ordering deliveries of heating oil on the regular in order to keep the boiler going.^[3]

 

 

What's the difference between a combi boiler, a heat-only boiler and a system boiler?

Combi (combination) boilers provide both heating and hot water directly from the boiler itself, without the need for additional tanks or cylinders. Their compact casing - and the fact that they're generally not able to deal with super-high water demands - means they're better suited to smaller houses and flats.

Heat-only (or regular/conventional) boilers work with a separate hot water cylinder and cold water tanks, usually located in the loft. The separate tanks mean that they can generally deal with higher hot-water demand, but they do take some time to heat up. Due to the size required for two separate tanks, these boilers are best in larger homes with plenty of space and higher hot water demands.

System boilers are boilers that have many of their components built into the boiler itself. They don't need a cold water tank, but they do require a separate hot water cylinder. They're best for medium-to-large homes with some spare storage space and slightly higher water demands.

 

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Which other factors impact the cost of a boiler service?

Where you live, when you book and whether you book with an independent or more established tradesperson service are the three biggest factors in determining the cost of a boiler service.
 

1. Where you live

Where you're based, and most importantly - whether or not you’re based in London - will affect the cost of a boiler service. Like most things, you can pay 20%-30 more in the capital, with a boiler service often costing up-to £120 (or even more).

On the opposite end - if you’re based in a particularly rural location - you may find that your engineer charges additional for travel time. But this would usually only be the case if you're right out in the sticks.

But for the majority of people who live in smaller towns and cities, the cost usually maxes out at around £100.
 

2. How busy your local engineers are

Another factor that affects the cost of a boiler service is tradesperson availability. For example, in the winter months, when gas & heating engineers are often busy completing emergency boiler repairs etc. you may find that the cost of servicing is higher than in the downtime.

When you book during the day/week can also impact price. Rates are normally higher during unsociable hours – like early mornings, evenings and weekends or bank holidays. You'll also usually be charged more for booking same/next day appointments.
 

3. Whether they're an independent engineer or working for/with a heating company

You may find that independent, self-employed heating engineers are likely to charge lower rates than established "household name" plumbing & heating firms. Some sole traders may also be under the VAT threshold - so they won't be charging 20% VAT on top of their costs. If that's the case, then that may mean a meaningful saving is passed onto you.

Better-known, big brand tradespeople services do tend to charge more - but they can also offer higher protection, as they're easier to hold to account and usually have customer support on standby in case anything were to go wrong. 


 

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How often do I need a boiler service?

You should get a boiler service once per year (which is, unsurprisingly, why it's sometimes referred to as an "annual boiler service").

It’s recommended to get your boiler serviced in good time for winter. Sorting your boiler service early means there's plenty of time to fix anything that needs attention before the winter months, and prevents any nasty surprises when you turn on the heating for the first time on a cold November evening.

It's also generally easier (and cheaper) to book a boiler service in the summer/autumn months, as heating engineers are spending less time on urgent, emergency boiler repairs.
 

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Is a boiler service a legal requirement?

If you're a landlord, then it's a legal requirement to get the boiler serviced every year. This is set out in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. ^[4]

If you're a homeowner, then it is not a legal requirement to get the boiler serviced every year. But remember - just because you don't have to - doesn't mean you shouldn't!
 

 

 

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Why should I get my boiler serviced?

1. Safety first

A boiler service is first and foremost a safety check. An unserviced boiler could be unsafe for residents at the home – think gas leaks, carbon monoxide, fires and - in the very worst case - explosions. Getting it checked over annually by a professional is the only way you can be sure that it's running effectively and safely.
 

2. Reduce boiler downtime

A serviced boiler is far less likely to break down - meaning that you won't be left without heating and hot water. A boiler breakdown is - at the very least - seriously inconvenient. But for some more vulnerable residents, being without heating and hot water in the winter months can actually be dangerous. 
 

3. Save money in the long term

Getting your boiler serviced is essential for keeping it in tip top condition and - although an annual expense - is bound to save you money in the long run. 

Boilers are expensive to repair or replace, and the annual service will ensure that issues are caught early - and often before they can become costly. It’s not uncommon for boiler repair costs to range from £100 right up to £1,000 - £2,000. So reducing the risk of major repair with an annual service is well worth it in the long run.

The cost of replacing a boiler is even more - at anything from £2,500 - £5,000 (or more!). And with regular servicing an essential step to elongating your boiler's lifespan - it's a real no-brainer.
 

4. Guarantee your guarantee

It’s also important to regularly service your boiler to ensure its guarantee is valid. New boilers often come with a guarantee of 1-5 years, but without an annual service it’s likely that the guarantee will be void.  
 

5. Efficiency is key

Last but not least, a serviced boiler will run more efficiently, which can save you money on heating and hot water. Plus it’s better for the environment.
 

 

 

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What’s included in a boiler service?

The exact tasks involved in a boiler service depend on the fuel type and model of your boiler. A boiler service typically takes anywhere from 30-120 minutes to complete and includes some or all of the below:

• A visual inspection of the boiler, fittings and pipework 
• Checking for any corrosion
• Checking for leaks
• Checking the pilot light (on older boilers)
• Testing gas pressure
• Cleaning the burner, condensate trap, heat exchanger & other parts (as required)
• Checking for any electrical or mechanical problems
• Checking primary flow temperature & primary flow rate
• Inspecting the flue condition and functionality
• Checking temperature controls
• Filling out boiler service card and/or issuing of a boiler safety report

Once complete, your boiler service may recommend repairs and your engineer should advise on whether the repair is economical. You can find a breakdown of whether repair is economical on the Ofgem website.^[5]

 

 

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Is boiler cover better value than an annual boiler service?

You shouldn't make the choice between either getting boiler cover or an annual boiler service. Boiler cover relies on a regular service to be valid and isn't always included for free within cover (so you'll still need to organise your own service).

Boiler cover is essentially an insurance policy for your boiler. Popular providers include Homeserve, British Gas HomeCare and Hometree.

What is and isn’t included in boiler cover varies by policy, but generally a boiler cover policy will include a budget for repairs and breakdown. You usually need to pay an excess to make a claim on the cover - which is normally £50 - £100.

More expensive policies may even include boiler replacement if something goes drastically wrong with a new boiler, or a contribution towards the cost when it’s time to replace an older boiler.

Prices for boiler cover normally range from as low as £3 per month right up to £25 per month.

Cheaper policies tend to have a higher excess (the amount you need to pay to make a claim) and lower repair allowances.

For your boiler cover to be valid, you normally need to be getting your boiler serviced annually. A boiler service may be included in your policy, but this often isn’t the case on cheaper policies. Some policies don't have a service as standard but instead allow you to pay an additional fee to bolt on the service . If you’re not sure whether your boiler cover includes free servicing, double-check the paperwork or call your provider for more info.

As for whether boiler cover is better value - it depends. When running the maths on any new boiler cover, take into account whether the annual service is included and - if it’s not - remember to budget the additional £70 - £120 you’ll pay on organising your own service.


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Where can I find an engineer for a boiler service?

You can find an engineer for a boiler service online, through your boiler manufacturer or through a recommendation - but there are a few points you should always bear in mind.

Boiler services require expertise and should always be carried out by a professional.

If you have a gas boiler, your service must be completed by an engineer who is Gas Safe Registered. 

While it might not be strictly necessary, it’s always a good shout to use a Gas Safe Registered engineer for your electric boiler – simply because almost all good heating engineers are accredited this way.

If you have an oil boiler, it's recommended that you use an engineer that’s on the OFTEC 'competent persons scheme'. It's super simple to find a registered engineer or check whether or not a business is OFTEC registered on their website.

If you’re looking to instruct an independent engineer, you can find a suitable pro on the Gas Safe Register’s online directory. If you choose to find a gas engineer elsewhere - for example from a recommendation or on Facebook, Nextdoor or Gumtree, you should check their credentials on the Gas Safety Register website to ensure they’re fully qualified. 

There are also heaps of established plumbing and heating companies who can help with a boiler service (including Housekeep, of course). 

If you’re based in London/the M25, click the buttons below to get an instant price for a boiler service with Housekeep.
 

 

Written by Henry Paterson

With years of experience in the industry, Henry is one of Housekeep’s home services specialists. He’s delivered talks at industry events including the Ideal Home Show and regularly features as an industry expert for publications including the Sun, Mail Online, Martha Stewart and many more.