On a new combi boiler what's most likely to pack-up in the warranty period? I'd say the diverter valve/actuator the cost of which would be <guessing> 2 years service costs and is a simple component to replace.
With gas boilers I'd suggest the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" is extremely appropriate.
Tehy're not like the olden-days water-heater boiler things that used to poison folks.
Why do people assume a "plumber" can service a boiler. An understanding of the control logic is needed - more akin to a washing machine in terms of logic and controls.
Devinately find someone who was trained by a boiler company.
We had a new boiler fitted (about) 15 years back and took out a 'whole system' service contract- which includes an annual service. We've had a few minor issues but one major one- the heat exchange leaked. We were in France at the time an middle daughter was house sitting- she noticed a puddle on the garage floor. She rang us and I told he what to do- it was summer and we have a back up electric immersion heater so it wasn't urgent. The company essentially replaced the boiler- all but the case more or less- plus the 'lock shield valves' as they were past their best, all included.
At the last service, a few weeks back, the chap who we've got to know as he has done most of them, commented it is in excellent condition and, all things being equal, should last several more years etc.
When we have had problems, they have always turned up promptly and fixed things quickly without any fuss. On one occasion the engineer hurt himself and had to go to the local A&E so they sent someone else to finish the job quickly etc.
The contract isn't cheap but I think it is worth it for the peace of mind. Oh, he also casts an eye over the gas fire in the sitting room to check it is safe. We have a CO detector etc.
My Worcester Bosch system boiler was installed nearly 16 years ago.
Just out of its 2 year warranty the PCB failed, and I had it serviced as part of the repair. Usefully, it was discovered that my incoming main gas regulator was out of spec, so a quick call got that swapped pretty swiftly.
No further work or, to temp fate, problems so far.
I was always a little sceptical that the cost of a mandatory annual service and/or early failure of a more complicated piece of kit, could easily exceed the value of energy saving.
When my Potterton Suprima was installed around 20 years ago I asked the installer about servicing and he said that he wouldn't bother. The closest it has come to a service was a few years later when the PCB needed replacing (which I learned about here) and I cleaned out the combustion chamber at the same time as replacing it.
My first boiler - a Potterton floor standing BE BF type did need a service once in a while. Otherwise it would soot up and stop working. I'd guess modern units burn more cleanly?
I reckon most these days don't need a service as such. Just a check they are working OK.
The one fault I've had with my Viessmann was a burst hose, and the water spill took out the gas valve. But don't think an annual service would have picked that up before it happened.
BTW, the gas valve getting soaked also took out a fuse on the PCB. A soldered in PCB mount type. A gas fitter fixing that would likely have just fitted a new PCB. And charged me for it.
I think I read somewhere condensing boilers tend to keep themselves clean thanks to the condensation produced which carries soot away? Could be nonsense.
Could be. Although the old boiler had a BF flue terminal which would have allowed in more muck from the air. The condensing one a fan assisted system so much smaller would have less air flow when not burning?
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