Is it possible to get a decent Boiler Check?

rainio

I've been looking around to order a boiler check and found the Which? guide:


https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/boilers/article/getting-the-best-boiler-service


They tested a number of large companies serice and independents and found:


"Based on our research, you can't be sure you're getting a good boiler service."


None of hte checks were up to stamdard, they found, and the independents were the worst., which is a shame as I'd rather ask an indpendent for these sorts of things.


What would you recommend?


Thank you.

EssexExile

A local one man band or small company. You may not get a good one first time but when you do find a good one, be nice to them & keep their number safe.

bris

What exactly is a good boiler check? I service boilers all the time, it's pretty standard stuff and routine. There is either problems or there isn't.


It's like an MOT, you can only judge a boiler on it's condition the day you do it, we can't read the future. You can service a boiler one day and week later the PCB can blow. Does this mean it was a bad boiler service or just one of those things? The customer will blame the service of course.

rainio

"What exactly is a good boiler check?"


Which? have a checklist of the minimum things the boiler person should check. None of the people fulfilled the list, and the independents were the worst.


It's all there.

keith969

rainio wrote: »

"What exactly is a good boiler check?"


Which? have a checklist of the minimum things the boiler person should check. None of the people fulfilled the list, and the independents were the worst.


It's all there.

Which? are always going to find fault. That's their job, and how they make money. Who knows if their sample was representative - I've always used independents and had no issue.

nofoollikeold

There's a lot of difference between a check and a service. Below applies to gas boilers, I don't know anything about oil or electrical.

A check would, to my mind:
1. Involve the use of a flue gas analyser to ensure that the boiler was burning gas correctly, i.e. that the CO and CO2 produced were at the correct levels and in balance.
2, A check that gas was being burnt at the correct rate.
3. A visual check inside and immediately outside, the boiler casing and flue for leaks, signs of corrosion and anything which looks "odd".
A service would include all of the above, plus cleaning the burner assembly, cleaning out the condensate trap and renewing any heat linings and / or seals. The service would be done in line with the manufacturer's instructions, which don't always include burner cleaning.

thegasmon

All boilers are different. Its best practice to follow the manufacturers guidlines which can differ alot from one model to another. There is an issue with some service engineers who get into the lazy british gas method of mentallity of performing basic combustion readings and not touching anything else.



sometimes this could be all thats required but not very offten. assuming you want a proper service and not a basic safe check read your appliances instruction manual and you will see whats the min to be done.