Annual Gas Boiler Service

creedp

Just checking re: annual gas boiler service as Bord Gais rang me up offering to do service for €99 including safety check. Anyone any comments re: this safety check or would I be better off going with an accredited independent?

A lot of money to pay for a €40 service, find a local who has time to do a full service.

coylemj

Always suspicious when they ring me, none of their business as far as I'm concerned. The cynic in me says someone in BG is getting a backhander for touting for business.

Who decides which crowd gets the business if I agree to get a service and why do they recommend A over B if they're both RGI approved? Definitely suspect.

Keano

I got one of those €99 services a few years back on a combi boiler. Guy came, took off cover and poked around it and got his little hoover out and was done in 15 mins. When he was done he said he does services on the side for €70!

DGOBS

Do not trust any service technician that does not perform gas soundness testing IMHO.
If they dont go to the gas meter and leak test your house for safety, I wouldn't trust anything else they do either

I am awaiting all the...'annex c says you dont have to do that,replies'....
It's a MINIMUM standard, soundness would be 'best practice'

A gas service primary goal should be safety first, correct function second, reliability third, efficiency fourth.

creedp

DGOBS wrote: »

Do not trust any service technician that does not perform gas soundness testing IMHO.
If they dont go to the gas meter and leak test your house for safety, I wouldn't trust anything else they do either

I am awaiting all the...'annex c says you dont have to do that,replies'....
It's a MINIMUM standard, soundness would be 'best practice'

A gas service primary goal should be safety first, correct function second, reliability third, efficiency fourth.

Agree but I was wondering if I was better off going through Bord Gais for this service or if I would be better off selecting an independent service technician. The service is required in North Dublin City Centre .

Joey the lips

I cannot see why in these days of increased knowledge someone cannot find an RGII service engineer on

www.rgii.ie

then again a lot of people i speak to say its the easy pay aspect. For this reason i would just borrow from my local credit union and rather repay them then the gas board.

I am not happy with the board gais service. I do not like the cheap 79 euro services either. But this is the problem. People do not know what they are getting for there money and they would rather be able to pay easy and say to the gas board if anything goes wrong that they serviced it.

I cannot see why the RGII does not get together with its members to launch a code of practice on how a service should be conducted.

DGOBS

Joey, that would be too much like joined up writing, we don't even have properly defined soundness test procedures for different types of gases and regulators!

Or even a risk sheet for at risk / potential / immediate hazards........it's madness

creedp

Joey the lips wrote: »

I cannot see why in these days of increased knowledge someone cannot find an RGII service engineer on

www.rgii.ie

then again a lot of people i speak to say its the easy pay aspect. For this reason i would just borrow from my local credit union and rather repay them then the gas board.

I am not happy with the board gais service. I do not like the cheap 79 euro services either. But this is the problem. People do not know what they are getting for there money and they would rather be able to pay easy and say to the gas board if anything goes wrong that they serviced it.

I cannot see why the RGII does not get together with its members to launch a code of practice on how a service should be conducted.

So basically Joey you are saying you are better off sticking a pin in the RGII list to select your service engineer than to go with the Bord Gais recommendation? I was just questioning what people on here normally do? I have got the Bord Gais guys in the past and it all went smoothly. I haven't a clue what the guy did but he messed around for 15 minutes and told me the boiler would be much more efficient now and off he went. I'm none the wiser! Surely you can see see why people just accept the Bord Gais approach as its easy and seems reasonably priced. Many people wouldn't even consider servicing their boiler until the are put on the spot by the telephone call. Instead of going on RGII list, selecting a couple of names at random, ringing them up, then selecting one on the basis of what criteria- presumably price only? and then fork out the cash on completion of task, everything is put on a plate and all you have to do is open the door.

In any case your advise is to go on the RGII website and select somebody so that's something I will try.

Joey the lips

creedp wrote: »

So basically Joey you are saying you are better off sticking a pin in the RGII list to select your service engineer than to go with the Bord Gais recommendation? .

Well it would be easier to stick a pin in someone in your area. But yes i am saying that i would not go to board gais esb or airtricity.

creedp

Joey the lips wrote: »

Well it would be easier to stick a pin in someone in your area. But yes i am saying that i would not go to board gais esb or airtricity.

Point taken.. I think it is a product of the easy approach to life .. which often or maybe always is not the best approach!

DGOBS

15 minute, dunt n clean with NO safety checking at all!!
You were robbed!

A proper service will take 45-60 minutes depending on the appliance and decent independents do a FULL service for around €90, so where is the value?

You pay BG €99, they pay a sub contract company, who pays a sole trader sub contractor as Gary says, roughly €40......robbed

deandean

OP here's another angle: you are wasting a lot of money with an annual service on a GFCH boiler. Gas is very clean burning. It's not like an oil burner.

About 13 years ago I got an Ideal Classic boiler installed. I never did a tap with it for about 8 years. Not one single problem. Eventually the fan bearing went (they all do) and I replaced the fan myself for 140 Euro.

Three years ago I got a new Ideal condensing boiler. I am gonna adapt the same principle: do nothing with it unless something starts to go wrong.

Now I am a handy fella around the house and can fix most things. I don't advocate this approach if you aren't a competent DIY-er.

Would you drop your car into a garage when it's running fine and ask them if they can find anything wrong with it (guess the mechanic's answer).

deandean

deandean wrote: »

Now I am a handy fella around the house and can fix most things. I don't advocate this approach if you aren't a competent DIY-er.

The trouble with people like you is you don't know what you don't know, but think you have it sussed, I work on boilers everyday and worry about safety on each and everyone, thats because i know how easy things can go wrong and how a simple mistake can lead to death or injury. I find it amazing how flippant people have become about gas safety including these 18 day wonders that are now RGI's, servicing a boiler shouldn't be rocket science and I'm not concerned if you feel the need to tinker, I call that natural selection, but I do get pissed off when i read posts like yours as the death's i'v been called to or know about would have been prevented by a simple "pointless" service.

Billy Bunting

deandean wrote: »

Now I am a handy fella around the house and can fix most things. I don't advocate this approach if you aren't a competent DIY-er.

Its handy fellas like you who end up killing yourselves, and other people.

deandean

Utter scaremongering.

thewintermute

What are the big risks? I assume a CO2 monitor eliminates a lot of the problem, after that what - explosions?

Billy Bunting

thewintermute wrote: »

What are the big risks? I assume a CO2 monitor eliminates a lot of the problem, after that what - explosions?

http://www.carbonmonoxide.ie/htm/safety.htm

Safety Precautions

• Ensure your appliances are correctly installed and SERVICED ANNUALLY
• Ensure that rooms in your home containing heating appliances are properly ventilated - NEVER BLOCK VENTS
• Make sure all chimneys are regularly swept and kept clear
• Use appliances only for the PURPOSE for which they were designed, e.g. do not use a cooker to heat a room
• NEVER use any appliance if you suspect it might be faulty
• If undertaking ALTERATIONS to your home which may affect the safety or efficiency of your heating installation (e.g. adding an extension, converting a garage, removing internal walls, changing a living room into a bedroom, double glazing / weather sealed doors) follow this safety advice:
  • Do not block or build around any existing air vents or flues
  • If creating a new living space, ensure it has ventilation in accordance with Building Regulations
  • If adding additional radiators ensure that your boiler can cope with the additional capacity
  • If you are altering or adding appliances to a natural gas or LPG installation, ensure that work is carried out to IS813:2002 Domestic Gas Installations
  • Get professional advice on ventilation and flueing before embarking on alterations to your house. Contact your fuel supplier for details of qualified personnel
• Use Carbon Monoxide alarms but remember these are no substitute for regular inspection and maintenance of appliances, vents, flues and chimneys. Check that the Carbon Monoxide alarm complies with the EN 50291 standard.

DGOBS

Gas boiler servicing is a little clean and a lot of safety checking, but hey, you know best

FYI to work on your own boiler in this country is an offence, with penalties of up to 3 years and/or €15000

When you replaced your fan how did you combustion test your appliance?
What carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide value is it producing?
Dangerous or safe levels?
How did you test the flue?
How did you soundness test the gas supply to it?
Have you flame lift or impingement?
Does the flame failure device operate correctly?
How did you test the combustion chamber seals?

Classic fans last considerably longer when serviced, if looked after properly

Re your garage analogy, so do you not service your car either until it stops on the side of the road?

Boilers don't kill people, stupidity kills people.

DGOBS

CO2 alarms....that kind of says it all...CO kills not CO2

We don't scaremonger, we understand.

Even the manufacturers of CO alarms such as EI electronics (the worlds largest) say CO alarms are no substitute for appliance servicing, but you know better!

Billy Bunting

DGOBS wrote: »

Even the manufacturers of CO alarms such as EI electronics (the worlds largest) say CO alarms are no substitute for appliance servicing, but you know better!

I dare say you may have a few freebies your willing to hand out

Cassidy28

Keano A Legend wrote: »

I got one of those €99 services a few years back on a combi boiler. Guy came, took off cover and poked around it and got his little hoover out and was done in 15 mins. When he was done he said he does services on the side for €70!

A chap I Know got his Gas Boiler serviced last week through BG. Man was in and out in 10 mins with his little hoover and dust cloth no u gauge in sight must be very busy, how many do they have to do per day now?

JohnnieK

Cassidy28 wrote: »

A chap I Know got his Gas Boiler serviced last week through BG. Man was in and out in 10 mins with his little hoover and dust cloth no u gauge in sight must be very busy, how many do they have to do per day now?

I wonder how they get around the new layout of the number 3 certs. You must input the test results of the flue gas test.

MiniGolf

JohnnieK wrote: »

I wonder how they get around the new layout of the number 3 certs. You must input the test results of the flue gas test.

Simples!
They don't issue them!!

JohnnieK

MiniGolf wrote: »

Simples!
They don't issue them!!

Are you serious? :mad: I know people who were hounded by a certain person in RGII for not issuing them for one reason or another (long story). I bet the not knocking on Board Gais (sierra) door.

DGOBS

lol, the 10 of them are long gone to the first 10 customers after the talk!

I was surprised as the first (non EI) overhead they used was nearly 100% mine!

IMHO new cert 3 is certainly an improvement, but I disagree that

A) they havent made FGA's a requirement to carry one yet
there is no competence required for usage of them (like CPA1 in the Uk)

Micky Dolenz

You don't need a hoover to service a gas boiler, (oil is different. :P)

A service person has to use a manometer and a flue analyser. A service can not be undertaken in under 40 minutes. not a chance.

jdq

Hi folks,

Had a boiler service from airtricity yesterday, just wondering why the tech would need to go to the boiler??? (the conspiracy theorist in me wonders seeing as he's from AT has he messed around with the meter so my bills are going to go up now!)

Apart from that he was here about 30/40 minutes, €79 and seemed to get the job done, and signed off on everything.

Cheers

Joey the lips

jdq wrote: »

Hi folks,

Had a boiler service from airtricity yesterday, just wondering why the tech would need to go to the boiler??? (the conspiracy theorist in me wonders seeing as he's from AT has he messed around with the meter so my bills are going to go up now!)

Apart from that he was here about 30/40 minutes, €79 and seemed to get the job done, and signed off on everything.

Cheers

Your worried about the wrong thing. It has been suggested over and over again on here that you dont use Bord Gais, ESB or Airtricity for a boiler service for the simple reason they apear to do the bear min.

No1J

Joey the lips wrote: »

Your worried about the wrong thing. It has been suggested over and over again on here that you dont use Bord Gais, ESB or Airtricity for a boiler service for the simple reason they apear to do the bear min.

Any chance of a PM for a couple of guys who would do a fair job.
The Baxi is only in 4 years, 2 years ago OH got a guy from a "big company" to give it a service, got in from work to find a bill for nearly €200, parts were needed.:mad:
I'm in D7/D15 area, if you had a rec for Kerosene services as well would be appreciated.
Thanks.

GASMANN

jdq wrote: »

Hi folks,

Had a boiler service from airtricity yesterday, just wondering why the tech would need to go to the boiler??? (the conspiracy theorist in me wonders seeing as he's from AT has he messed around with the meter so my bills are going to go up now!)

Apart from that he was here about 30/40 minutes, €79 and seemed to get the job done, and signed off on everything.

Cheers

really ?

Billy Bunting

Meter!

jdq

Yeah, I meant meter!!!:o

nudger

Bump.
Wefixboilers.com are doing a Groupon citydeal service 61% off only €39.
What do you think, any good? they say service could take 2.5 hours :eek: and you get a cert.

deandean

nudger wrote: »

Bump.
Wefixboilers.com are doing a Groupon citydeal service 61% off only €39.
What do you think, any good? they say service could take 2.5 hours :eek: and you get a cert.

Oh sweet Jeez the boiler service guy would get about €4.50 outa that.

Do yourself a favour and read this thread from the start.

Find a local RGI and pay him 90 or 120 or whatever for a proper system service.

Joey the lips

nudger wrote: »

Bump.
Wefixboilers.com are doing a Groupon citydeal service 61% off only €39.
What do you think, any good? they say service could take 2.5 hours :eek: and you get a cert.

I know who they are. I have used them in the past. I wont be using them again. I dont wish to comment any more.

TBH anyone who charges less than 100 euro is virtually working for nothing. I dont stand to make anything by these comments. It strikes me that i would rather someone who is making something service my boiler than someone who is not.

After that i am not advocating anyone. Just stick with

www.rgii.ie

and use they guy from your area. You cant go much wrong.

DGOBS

I really think RGII should be closely monitoring these type of operators, even as far as having a 'secret shopper' type setup to check safety is being adhered to

jdq

Boiler service completed from airtricity at the end of Dec, in the previous - few years no service completed at all (I know) and never any problems, last week boiler started making clicking noises - when I looked at it I noticed it was operating at a fair bit above the standard operating tempreture. Rang airtricity to say that they would need to send some one again only to be told that I'll be charged again and they dont garantee any work!!!!!

Went ape on the phone, no problems for years - got the service done as I should have and now 3 months later I was told that its serious and someone has to come out very soon! They put the engineer on the phone who asked me was there any water at the pipe outside, checked and the pipe is actually rusted from the amount of water!!! Surely this would have been the case when he was here and it should have been spotted?? Needless to say I would reccomend staying away from airtricity and will never be getting them again...

blueyedson

Grab one currently have an offer for boiler service for €37.

I wont mention the compnay here, but its on grab one web page...

My instinct wouyld be to get a detail breakdown of what the service includes before booking it...

Any thoughts ?

DGOBS

Sure, if you think your getting your safety at that price, go ahead. But IMHO. you'd be better off and safer not servicing at all!

Finish the proverb:

If it seems to good to be true.......

JohnnieK

blueyedson wrote: »

Grab one currently have an offer for boiler service for €37.

I wont mention the compnay here, but its on grab one web page...

My instinct wouyld be to get a detail breakdown of what the service includes before booking it...

Any thoughts ?

If you want to know how it's serviced and what's involved post the make and model of your boiler and I will post the manufacturers service instructions and along with Annex C of is813. That is what has to be done so you can present it to them.