Boiler making growling noises - no boiler cover

vitaminz

Hi I have a boiler that hasn't been serviced since 2017 and I have neglected to take out a boiler service plan (I know, stupid of me!). Recently, the boiler has started making a sort of intermittent ‘growling’ sound whenever it’s fired up. No other issues, but don’t want to ignore it

I’m wondering what the most cost effective way to get this sorted is, plus to sensibly cover myself for future problems. I’ve found that British Gas have a service where they will fix any boiler problem for £109 and £24.50 a month for 12 months which also provides 12 months cover. However, given the boiler is working...could I just get traditional, and much cheaper, boiler cover which includes a boiler service? And the boiler service would of course pick up any problems, but I imagine there may be issues given the ‘problem’ has been present a while.

Note though, my home insurance included ‘Home Emergency’ cover - but this seems to only apply to when the boiler actually doesn’t work, which is why it’s called ‘emergency’ cover I suppose!

Is there any advice anyone can offer?

Talldave

Find a local boiler engineer from word of mouth recommendation. 

Ectophile

What makes you think you need "boiler cover" at all?  I pay a local (Gas Safe registered) plumber to service the boiler once a year.  If it goes wrong between services, I pay him to fix it.  If it doesn't go wrong, I don't have to pay anything.  In the long run, it's a lot cheaper - the boiler doesn't break down every year.

Hasbeen

vitaminz said:

Hi I have a boiler that hasn't been serviced since 2017 and I have neglected to take out a boiler service plan (I know, stupid of me!). Recently, the boiler has started making a sort of intermittent ‘growling’ sound whenever it’s fired up. No other issues, but don’t want to ignore it

I’m wondering what the most cost effective way to get this sorted is, plus to sensibly cover myself for future problems. I’ve found that British Gas have a service where they will fix any boiler problem for £109 and £24.50 a month for 12 months which also provides 12 months cover. However, given the boiler is working...could I just get traditional, and much cheaper, boiler cover which includes a boiler service? And the boiler service would of course pick up any problems, but I imagine there may be issues given the ‘problem’ has been present a while.

Note though, my home insurance included ‘Home Emergency’ cover - but this seems to only apply to when the boiler actually doesn’t work, which is why it’s called ‘emergency’ cover I suppose!

Is there any advice anyone can offer?

Get a local engineer to give it a service. Ask around for recommendations,
And do not put your hands anywhere near it.  

Gerry1

Make sure you have a CO detector, preferably one with a digital display so that you get an early warning of any problem before it gets critical ! There can be adverse effects even at quite low levels.

macman

Growling? Do you mean kettling, from a cold start? Make, model, age?

tim_p

macman said:

Growling? Do you mean kettling, from a cold start? Make, model, age?

I’d expect it to more likely it’s the fan making a noise, possibly bearings gone. Happened to mine many, many years ago.  Quick and easy fix back then.