Do I Need A Boiler Service Plan?

Why on earth would you need a boiler service plan?  Let us explain…

What do ad-hoc trips to the gym, a cheap mobile phone, and a prepaid electricity metre have in common?

No, not the sense of underwhelming inferiority, but that they all use a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) service model.

Similarly, you can opt to look after your boiler on the same basis.

So is a PAYG model is right for you, or do you need a boiler service plan.

It’s not all bad

Perhaps my comment about inferior service models was a little harsh - there are indeed times where it makes more sense to opt for occasional boiler servicing and maintenance, and as good as they are, you may not need a boiler service plan after all; the service has got to work for you, your boiler, and your circumstances at the end of the day.

Before we look at the pros and cons of both types, let’s talk about the servicing itself - it’s important to know what to expect from either.

What to Expect From Your Boiler Service

Whether you opt for an all-encompassing boiler protection plan, or servicing as required, the activities involved are relatively uniform.

The main aim is to make sure that the boiler is safe to use and running efficiently.

Here’s a list of the usual boiler service tasks:

• A thorough visual inspection, to identify visible signs of wear, any damage or corrosion that may arise from leaks, loose connections, or other issues.
• Internal inspection, where the outer casings are removed. This allows inspection of internal components such as the burner, heat exchanger and controls. Again, a check for signs of deterioration or damage is carried out.
• Some components within the boiler may be cleaned, in particular the heat exchanger and burner, as they may accumulate a build-up of debris or soot. This cleaning isn’t for cosmetic purposes - it will help to extend the service life and optimise the boiler efficiency too.
• Gas combustion analysis, which checks that the burner is operating efficiently and is not producing excessive levels of carbon monoxide.
• A water pressure check and adjustment to ensure it is within the recommended range.
• A check of safety systems such as pressure release valves and thermostats.
• A control test, to ensure that the user controls function properly.

Pay As You Go Service vs Boiler Service Plan

To answer the question of whether you need a boiler service plan or not, it makes sense to look at the advantages and drawbacks of both pay as you go and subscription models.

Let’s start with PAYG servicing.

Pay As You Go Boiler Servicing

Advantages

A big advantage is that you have complete flexibility over when your boiler is serviced - you choose when to call the engineers in, and when they’ll visit.

This also means that you’re in control of when you spend money on your boiler.

Also, with a service plan in place, you may feel that the visit from the engineer is being carried out unnecessarily, for example if your boiler is reliable and problem free.

Indeed, if your boiler is less than a year or two old, it is unlikely to require any repairs, so having a routine may well be a cost you could avoid.

Arranging for a boiler service when you see fit avoids this potential source of concern, particularly for customers who are wary about letting people (boiler engineers!) into their home.

Disadvantages

One issue with opting for PAYG servicing is that you run the risk of forgetting to arrange the service, which can lead to neglect of the boiler - allowing issues to occur and deteriorate over time.

Without regular maintenance your boiler will be more prone to breakdowns, particularly in the winter months when it must work harder.

No-one wants to sit around in the cold waiting for an emergency boiler engineer to arrive, and this is all the more likely without regular routine servicing.

You may also not have the money saved for your boiler service or breakdowns during the expensive winter months when you have higher fuel bills and Christmas to fund.

Annual Boiler Service Plan

Advantages

There are lots of advantages to committing to a boiler service plan.

Firstly, you have peace of mind that your boiler is always in tip-top condition, due to being serviced regularly.

Parts are less likely to prematurely wear out and the overall performance will be efficient and reliable.

Most service plans are paid for on a monthly basis (ours start from as little as £6.50 per month) - effectively meaning that you can spread the cost of the annual service that you would be arranging on an ad-hoc basis anyway, over the course of the year, eliminating the lump-sum payment that you would otherwise incur.

As a fully paid-up service user, you’ll often receive priority attention should you ever need your boiler to be inspected, serviced, or repaired.

You’ll also enjoy additional benefits such as radiator bleed and checks, central heating repairs, and discounts on future work required.

Disadvantages

There aren’t many disadvantages to using a boiler service plan.

The main one is that you may end up feeling like you’re paying for something you don’t need, if your boiler is new or in good condition.

The reality, however, is that all boilers need to be serviced, particularly if you want to retain the manufacturer’s warranty which may well stipulate regular and routine servicing.

You may also find, depending who your contact is with, that your boiler service plan includes restrictive terms or conditions; you may also be charged for cancelling or changing your service plan.

The Crux

For a lot of people, cost is the deciding factor between choosing a service plan or paying for a boiler service as and when required.

So, what are the differences in cost?

A service plan can cost between £80 and £300 per year, with factors such as the age, size, and type of the boiler, as well as level of service, being influencing factors.

However, this is normally paid in monthly instalments which makes this easier to afford.

A service plan often includes cover for parts, labour, and even insurance should elements of your central heating system suffer catastrophic failure or damage.

Your monthly payment will also cover repairs and checks to other vital-yet-accident-prone parts of your home such as central heating and radiators.

Your average call-out service on the other hand can cost between £80 and £200.

Additional parts will add to this, and you’ll have to pay each time an engineer is required to attend your boiler.

So, if you have an ageing boiler, or it’s in high demand, this could become expensive quite quickly, and easily exceed the cost of even the most expensive boiler service plan.

With this in mind, it makes a lot of sense to opt for a boiler service plan for most homeowners.

Do You Need a Boiler Service Plan?

There are lots of factors that influence whether you need a boiler service plan, or if a PAYG service will meet your needs.

Your monthly budget, plus the age and condition of the boiler should be considered, as well as whether you’re a proactive person who won’t forget to organise the boiler service!

If opting for a PAYG service, you should also be aware of what to look for on your boiler, such as signs that it may not be functioning properly or is damaged.

Ultimately a boiler service plan offers you peace of mind through regular servicing, priority emergency response and knowing that any unexpected costs are covered.

It’s essential to weigh up all the pros and cons of both options and go for what works best for you.

If you’re unsure whether you need a boiler service plan, get in touch and I’ll happily point you in the right direction.