Servicing your gas heated systems
/When it comes to Gas Safety, do you know your safety checks to your services. It is important to service and check your gas equipment at regular intervals, for compliance, for safety and for efficiency. We hope this blog will show you the benefits of both.
The difference between a Gas Safety Check and a Gas Appliance Service
The property owner is required to provide a Gas Safety Check with a certificate annually by Law, but this check does not equate to an actual appliance service.
A Gas Safety Check should involve all gas appliances, gas flues and vents to be checked by a Gas Safe registered Engineer, who will pass them as either in safe working condition or not.
Maintenance services
A service should keep individual equipment working at more than just safe condition, but at their optimum, this will cut running costs.
The service could include:
Positioning: ensure the gas is burning correctly
Suitability of location: easy access for regular checks
Physically stable: fitted correctly and connected to the gas supplier securely
Air supply suitability: making sure there is an adequate and permanent supply to the equipment
Flues, chimneys and vents: checked and certified
Safety: checking and making sure the safety components of the system are functioning properly
The inspection and cleaning of the appliance must be to the specifications of the equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Services that are carried out as specified will ensure the warranty of equipment remains valid. Whereas a gas safety check for a property is inclusive of all gas supply equipment, pipes and flues etc, a service is requested individually and the equipment is serviced as separate items.
What are the benefits in getting the equipment serviced?
A service will ensure your equipment is warranted by the manufacturer, it is often requested in the manual of your equipment that in order to keep the warranty, it must have been maintained and serviced at required intervals by a Gas Safe engineer.
It will ensure the condition of your equipment passes the gas safety check with flying colours, the last thing you want is an unfit for purpose boiler as a Landlord.
It will keep your boiler/ central heating system working at its most energy efficient level. A serviced central heating system could include a power flush at request, a deep clean that will improve the flow of heat carried around the system. This could mean you will have a more reliable heating system which could lower you energy bills.
It can give your equipment a prolonged life span, like any equipment, from air conditioning to cars, a good maintenance plan will keep the equipment working without straining. The harder a boiler has to work, the shorter its lifespan tends to be.
It could warrant any insurance claim, very often home insurance companies ask that you have your boiler service record for any boiler repair claims even if you have a boiler cover plan.
It will ensure the safety of the occupants: safety always comes first with us. Whether you are responsible for your tenants or you want peace of mind for your family, regular maintenance will help prevent any incidences. Keeping your property and family safe should be paramount, no matter how rare some occurrences can be #besafenotsorry.
Are you responsible for your buildings compliance?
If you are responsible for the statutory compliance of your building, you may be interested to read our eBook - A Guide to Workplace Compliance. You can download this eBook by clicking here.