Boiler Service Before Winter: Why September Beats December

Nobody enjoys spending money on a boiler that appears to be working perfectly. That is exactly why it gets forgotten. Then the first proper cold spell arrives, the heating goes on every day and a small issue becomes a very inconvenient one.

Booking the annual service before winter is mainly about not getting caught out. It gives you time to deal with anything the engineer finds while the house is still warm and before everyone else is ringing with no heating.

You find problems before you are relying on the boiler every day

A boiler service gives the engineer a chance to inspect the appliance, check combustion and safety, and look for visible signs of wear, leaks or corrosion. It cannot guarantee the boiler will never break down, but it can reveal issues that are better dealt with as a planned repair than during a freezing week.

You have a better chance of getting the appointment you want

Once the first proper frost arrives, heating engineers across Sunderland, Durham, Washington and Houghton le Spring naturally spend more time dealing with urgent no-heating and no-hot-water calls. Booking before that rush gives you more flexibility.

Your boiler warranty may require regular servicing

Many manufacturer warranties include servicing requirements, but the exact terms vary by brand and model. Check the paperwork for your boiler rather than assuming. Our boiler warranty guide explains what to look for.

What a proper boiler service covers

The exact procedure depends on the appliance and manufacturer guidance. A service will typically include checks of the boiler, controls, flue and combustion, gas pressure or operation, safety devices, visible signs of leaks or corrosion, and internal components as appropriate. You should also receive a service record afterwards.

For more detail, see what is included in a boiler service and how much a boiler service costs.

Seven homeowner checks you can do before winter

You do not need to open the boiler or touch any gas components. Simple checks such as turning the heating on before you really need it, checking the pressure is within the manufacturer’s normal range, testing your carbon monoxide alarm and noting recurring fault codes can give you useful warning signs.

We have put the full checklist into a free homeowner guide. You can get it from our winter boiler service page.

Book locally

AR Heating & Gas services boilers across Sunderland, Durham, Washington, Houghton le Spring, Chester le Street and the wider North East. Local pages: Sunderland, Durham, Washington and Houghton le Spring.

Where to go next

Ready to book? See our main boiler servicing page. If your boiler is already faulty rather than simply due its annual service, use our boiler repairs page instead.

Not sure we reach you? Call 0191 540 2051.