Difference Between a Gas Safety Check and Boiler Service?

What is a gas safety check?

A Gas Safety Check, otherwise known as a Gas Safety Certificate, is to prove that any gas appliances are safe for use. This includes having an annual inspection by a Gas Safe Registered engineer to ensure your boiler and other gas-related appliances for your property are completely safe and that they meet the required standards. These checks are important since gas-related appliances can be potentially hazardous if not fitted correctly or maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 

The Gas Safety Check covers a range of safety aspects, including the tightness of joints, looking for signs of corrosion, ensuring the appliance is turned off and on correctly, checking and testing flue flow rates, examining the chimney or flue, and checking fuel pressure levels.

What is a boiler service?

A boiler service is slightly different from a Gas Safety Check. While a Gas Safety Check looks to ensure that your gas-related appliances are adequately maintained and safe to use, a boiler service is an annual inspection to keep your boiler healthily running. A boiler service helps to identify potential faults within the appliance, while also helping to prolong its life expectancy. 

Boiler services cover a range of maintenance aspects that go beyond general safety. These include checking for wear and tear on components, the wearing down of seals, and the overall condition of the flue, checking all the connections, making sure the PCB is operating correctly, and ensuring the thermostat is calibrated correctly. It also involves a comprehensive cleaning of the burner and heat exchanger, as well as changing any defective parts with genuine spares. 

What exactly is the difference?

A Gas Safety Check is an annual inspection of the gas system in a property to ensure it meets all standards and remains safe to use. The aim of a Gas Safety Check is to spot any potential problems so that they can be rectified before they become a hazard.

On the other hand, the main purpose of a boiler service is to identify any underlying issues that can cause a fault in the boiler. During a boiler service, the engineer will look for common problems such as airlocks, kettling, and leakage to make sure they can be addressed before they lead to a breakdown. As such, a boiler service helps to extend the life of your boiler. 

What is involved in a gas safety check?

As mentioned, a Gas Safety Check is carried out annually to ensure that all gas-using appliances in a property are safe and compliant with the latest regulations. During a Gas Safety Check, the engineer will check the following:

•    The tightness of the joints around the gas pipes, ensuring there are no leaks
•    The correct operation of the flue flow rates
•    Examination of the chimney or flue
•    Test the appliance for gas leakage
•    Check the pressure of the gas
•    Inspect for corrosion of the appliance and the gas pipework
•    Ensure that the appliance is turned off and on correctly

What does a boiler service involve?

A boiler service is designed to check the overall performance of your boiler, identifying any potential faults that need addressing. When carrying out the service, the engineer will:

•    Check for signs of wear and tear on components
•    Checking all the connections
•    Making sure the PCB is operating correctly
•    Checking the thermostat is calibrated correctly
•    Cleaning the burner and heat exchangers
•    Replacing any defective parts with genuine spares 

By carrying out a boiler service on an annual basis, you can be reassured that your boiler is running smoothly while helping to prolong its lifespan.

In conclusion, a Gas Safety Check ensures that any gas-using appliances in a home are safe and compliant with the latest regulations. On the other hand, a boiler service checks the overall performance of your boiler and provides the opportunity to spot any underlying issues that could lead to minor or major faults. Knowing the differences between a Gas Safety Check and a boiler service is essential to help keep your boiler in top working condition.