Five things to know about your boiler

What our engineers want you to know about your boiler

We asked our engineers what they wish more people knew about their gas boilers. 

Here’s what they had to say. 

Top boiler tips from our engineers

Boilers do need annual checkups. You can’t ignore your boiler. Without regular maintenance, boilers can lose efficiency. A regularly serviced boiler will run more efficiently and save you money in the long run. 

An efficient boiler makes really hot water. If your water is lukewarm, your boiler could need servicing or replacing. 

Check your boiler’s pressure occasionally. It's best to keep it from getting low, which the dial will show. Topping up your system pressure is a quick and easy job. 

You can do a simple check yourself. Look for leaks, cracks or sooty marks and listen for clunking sounds. The flame should be a strong, clear blue colour. If it's yellow or smoky, it’s probably not working well.  

Regularly serviced boilers are likely to last longer. Engineers can spot problems and replace worn parts before they’re big problems. 

Book a boiler service

"What's the most economical way to run your gas boiler?"

Lower your flow temperature setting. Flow temperature refers to the warmth of the water going from your boiler to your radiators. The lower you set the flow temperature, the more slowly your home will heat. It might take a bit of trial and error to find the right setting for your home. Many experts recommend a flow temperature of 60°C, and even slightly lower if your home is particularly well insulated.

Does your boiler need an upgrade?

Is your heating system costing you more than it should? Feeling like you're constantly adjusting the thermostat but never quite comfortable? 

These could be signs your boiler is past its prime. Modern boilers are dramatically more efficient, saving you money on your energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint. Don't wait for a complete breakdown - upgrade your boiler today and start enjoying consistent warmth, lower bills, and peace of mind.

How to know when to replace your boiler? Find out on our boiler replacement and install service page.

Upgrade your home energy efficiency

Get a free quote and start your journey to a warmer, more energy-efficient home today.

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Frequently asked questions about boiler maintenance

To ensure a long life for your gas boiler, and to improve your boiler's efficiency, it's important to have it serviced annually.

You can book your annual boiler service online through our Services section. All of our gas boiler engineers are RGII-certified.

How much is a gas boiler service and how do I pay for this?

We offer a full range of gas boiler services from a standard service with Complete Boiler Care at €119, to 365 Boiler Care at €199 which includes a standard service with the added benefit of labour and parts cover up to €1200 in a contract year. To see our full range of gas boiler service offers, visit our Services section online.

The €119 for Complete Boiler Care covers the first 45 minutes on site. A charge of €25 for each additional 15 minutes of labour applies thereafter not including the price for parts if required.

In all cases, the Service Engineer will advise what parts are required. These may be carried in the van as part of general stock and will be fitted with your agreement - however, please appreciate that they can't carry all parts as the range of appliance types and models is too extensive.

If necessary, the Service Engineer will order the part(s) and call at a later date to fit the necessary part(s). In this instance, you'll be charged for the cost of the part and the time (labour) it takes to fit the part(s). You won't be charged a second call-out charge. The total cost of the Gas Boiler Service will be charged up front or to your Services account unless you book online where you can pay upfront using your bank card or monthly by Direct Debit.

How to Pay: The cost of the gas boiler service can be paid by the following methods: prepayment by debit or credit card, monthly direct debit installments or via your Services bill*.

*Please note that payment via the Services bill will need to be submitted by the due date set out.

If your boiler was installed by Local Heroes, you'll need to have your boiler serviced every year by Bord Gáis Energy for the duration of your 10-year warranty. You'll have a 4-month window in which to have your boiler serviced.

You can check online whether your boiler is due to be serviced, but don’t worry, we’ll contact you annually to remind you.

The simplest and quickest way to check is by following the below steps:

  • Sign in to your online account. If you don’t have an online account, you can register in just a few quick steps.
  • Select your Services account.
  • If your boiler needs to be serviced, you’ll see a note confirming “Annual Boiler Service needed” and a link to book your service.

Our Service Engineer will complete 19 detailed checks and tests when carrying out a gas boiler service. All Visual Checks and Tests Applied are in accordance with Irish Standards 813:2017 as laid down by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for Domestic Gas Installations.

The following checks and tests will be carried out:

Initial boiler safety checks

1. Check the location of the appliance, its condition and electrical controls

2. Inspect flue thoroughly

3. Check ventilation meets legal requirements

4. Conduct electrical safety tests

Combustion component checks

5. Check accessibility, functionality and condition of isolating valves

6. Inspect / clean fan unit and evaluate performance and functionality

7. Inspect / clean heat exchanger as per manufacturer’s instructions

8. Inspect / clean / adjust main and pilot burners and injectors

9. Check / clean / adjust ignition and ionisation electrodes

10. Check flame picture

Boiler re-commissioning tests

11. Check temperature control

12. Check operation of boiler safety devices

13. Check appliance gas rating

14. Conduct burner pressure tests

15. Sample air intake analysis

16. Sample flue gas analysis to ensure safe operation

17. Conduct appliance gas safety tests

Final touches

18. Adjustment time and temperature controls as required

19. Complete RGII appliance conformance certificate and leave copy with customer

Please note: Our Service Engineers also conduct various other tests as required for specific types of gas boilers as per best practice and the manufacturer’s guidelines.

To book a Service online, please visit our online Services section.

If your boiler is in working order, please book a boiler service to avoid a cancellation or charge.

Troubleshooting Before Calling for Repair:

Before scheduling a repair, perform basic checks like ensuring your system's power supply and checking thermostat settings. For traditional boilers found in most Irish households, the below online troubleshooting guide and support video offer further assistance.

Before booking a repair with us, please ensure to check the following troubleshooting tips:

No heat or insufficient heat

  • Is the electricity supply to the system switched on? Check the fuse on the system isolator. If you change it, use a 3-amp fuse only.
  • Is the timeclock control set correctly?
  • If the boiler has a selector switch, have you selected 'heating'?
  • Is the boiler thermostat on the setting you require?
  • Have you reset your boiler? Always reset in accordance with the Manufacturers User Instructions.
  • If you have a room thermostat, is it set to the room temperature you require? When a room reaches the temperature set on the thermostat the radiators will cool.
  • If you have a wireless programmable room thermostat, do the batteries need replacing?
  • Is the natural gas turned on at the meter?
  • If you have a Pay As You Go meter, is your credit low?
  • If your boiler has a pilot light, is it lit? Always relight in accordance with the Manufacturers User Instructions.
  • If the radiator is hot at the bottom only, it may need to be bled.
  • If you have thermostatic valves fitted at your radiators, are they at the settings you require?

If you still need to book a boiler repair, you can book an appointment in our Repair section.

We hope you've enjoyed reading this quick boiler guide from our expert team of engineers and that it answered some of your queries. We've outlined some key aspects of boiler efficiency, potential issues, and the steps towards maintaining optimum efficiency for your home heating needs.

Understanding the best boiler setup for your home not only ensures your comfort but also plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions. This journey towards a more efficient and environmentally friendly heating solution requires regular maintenance, timely upgrades and an understanding of the nuances of boiler care.

For more information on home energy efficiency and products that can help reduce your carbon footprint and your energy bills, visit our Sustainability hub.

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Want to know more?

Learn three reasons why a boiler service should be part of your home maintenance routine.

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