How Often Should You Service Your Boiler? A Galway Engineer’s Checklist

The short answer: once a year, ideally before the heating season starts. A boiler that’s serviced every year runs more efficiently, breaks down less, and stays safe. Most manufacturers also need a yearly service to keep the warranty valid — and many home insurance policies expect one too.

What a proper boiler service includes

A service isn’t a quick look and a sticker. On a gas or oil boiler, David works through:

• Combustion check with a flue gas analyser — confirms the boiler is burning cleanly and safely.
• Burner, jets or nozzle cleaned or replaced (oil boilers get a new nozzle and filter).
• Heat exchanger inspected and cleaned where needed.
• Seals, flue and ventilation checked for leaks and blockages.
• Controls and safety devices tested — thermostats, pressure relief valve, overheat stat.
• System pressure checked and topped up, radiators and pump listened to.

You get a clear explanation of anything that’s wearing out — so you can plan a repair instead of discovering it on a frosty January morning.

Signs you shouldn’t wait for the annual service

• The boiler keeps locking out or showing a fault code.
• Pressure drops and you’re topping it up every week.
• Banging, whistling or “kettling” noises.
• Radiators take much longer to heat than they used to.
• Soot, a smell of fumes, or a yellow instead of blue flame (gas) — switch off and call straight away.

Gas vs oil: any difference?

Both need a yearly service. Oil boilers in particular benefit from it: the nozzle and filter wear, and a dirty burner wastes oil — money you can see going up the flue. External oil boilers also need their cabinet, seals and oil line checked for weather damage.

Book it before the rush

September to November is the busiest time for heating engineers in Galway. Booking your service early means you pick the day, not the boiler.

Ring David on 086 199 5980, send a WhatsApp message, or leave your number and he’ll call you back.