A boiler service is one of those jobs that's easy to put off until something goes wrong, usually on the coldest night of the year. A yearly service costs a lot less hassle than an emergency call-out mid-winter, and for gas and oil boilers, it also has to be done by someone specifically registered to work on that fuel type. Here's how often to book one, who's allowed to do the work, what actually gets checked, and when to get it done.
How often should a boiler be serviced?
Most manufacturers and installers recommend servicing a boiler once a year, gas or oil, whether or not anything seems wrong with it. An annual service catches small issues, a failing part, a dropping efficiency, a blocked flue, before they turn into a breakdown or, worse, a safety issue. It's also usually a condition of keeping the manufacturer's warranty valid, so skipping a year can cost you more than the service itself if something fails later.
Gas boilers: it has to be an RGI
If your boiler runs on gas, it's a legal requirement in Ireland that any work on it, servicing included, is carried out by a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). RGIs are listed on the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII), which operates on behalf of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. You can search the register by county on rgi.ie to check someone's registration before you book them, and it's worth doing that rather than taking a business's word for it. Service Connect doesn't inspect providers' qualifications itself, so ask for an RGI number in chat and check their registration yourself on rgi.ie.
Oil boilers: look for OFTEC registration
Oil-fired boilers fall under a different scheme. OFTEC is the competent person scheme for oil heating technicians across Ireland and the UK, and OFTEC-registered technicians are reassessed periodically to keep their registration current. OFTEC's own website lets you search for a registered technician or check a business's registration number before booking. As with gas, this isn't something Service Connect checks on a provider's behalf, so ask and verify it yourself.
What a boiler service actually checks
A standard service typically covers:
- Checking the boiler is burning fuel efficiently and safely
- Inspecting seals, joints and the flue for leaks or wear
- Checking pressure, and topping it up if the system needs it
- Cleaning or checking components that affect efficiency, such as the burner or heat exchanger
- A visual check of pipework and controls for obvious faults
- Confirming the boiler shuts off safely if something goes wrong
The engineer should talk you through anything they find, and flag separately anything that needs further work rather than folding it into the service silently.
Carbon monoxide alarms: check, don't skip
Under Irish building regulations (Technical Guidance Document J), a carbon monoxide alarm is required in the room containing a new or replacement heat-producing appliance, whether it burns gas, oil or solid fuel. If your home doesn't already have one near the boiler, or the battery hasn't been checked in a while, a service visit is a good moment to sort it. It's a small thing that matters far more than the price of the alarm suggests.
Best time of year to book
Late summer and early autumn, roughly August to October, is the best window. The boiler hasn't been under heavy use yet, so a fault found then is one you fix before the cold sets in rather than during it, and installers are generally less booked out than they are once the first frost hits and everyone remembers their boiler at once. Booking early also means more flexibility on timing rather than whatever slot is left in December.
What to ask before you book
- Is the price a flat fee for the service, or does it depend on what's found?
- Does the price include parts if something needs replacing on the day, or is that quoted separately?
- Roughly how long will the visit take?
- Will you get a written record of the service, useful for warranties and for a future buyer if you sell the house?
Booking a boiler service through Service Connect
Posting a job on Service Connect is free. Say whether it's a gas or oil boiler, the make if you know it, and when you'd like it done, flexible, this week, or a specific date, and registered installers covering your county can send you an offer. You'll see the full price, provider's fee plus buyer protection fee, before you confirm anything, and your card isn't charged until the installer accepts the job. The payment is then held until the service is marked done, so there's a paper trail if anything about the visit doesn't add up.
Ready to get your boiler sorted before winter? Browse plumbers and heating providers, check frequently asked questions, or get the Service Connect app to post your job.