Even Baxi Boilers Need To Be Checked

Summary

Evidence suggests that nearly 1 in 7 homes in Northern Ireland are not subjected to an annual boiler check. Why has the advice of industry professionals not been followed?

Even Baxi Boilers Need To Be Checked

Reports this week suggest that as many as 7 in 10 homes in Northern Ireland are at risk from a variety of hazards such as Carbon Monoxide poisoning, as they fail to have their boiler regularly checked. From Potterton Boilers to Baxi Boilers, in Northern Ireland between January 2008 and November 2010 there were as many as 31 carbon monoxide related deaths, with two of the victims being teenagers. Their deaths sparked a campaign in Northern Ireland for more carbon monoxide detectors in homes, but a simpler step would be to ensure that boilers undergo more regular check-ups. 69% of people surveyed by PowerNI reported that they had not had a check in the last 5 years, with 20% saying they had not even had one in the last 5 years.

It doesn’t matter the brand of boiler, whether Baxi, Worchester Bosch or Potterton boilers, or even which type of boiler it is, every one of them needs to be checked and maintained regularly. Whatever the advances in technology that have ensured boilers such as combi boilers have become very reliable, it is still essential to have the equipment checked regularly. There is little reason not to have this done. As Jenny Livingston, spokeswoman for Power NI said, "Skipping a service could lead to a false economy as ultimately having a boiler serviced can save money by ensuring the heating system is working efficiently, prolonging the life of the boiler and saving money in the long run."

Any short term gain by not paying for a boiler service will often result in a repair that will negate the saving later down the line. In many cases this can also mean days without the essential heating that the boiler provides, especially if one has the misfortune to suffer such a breakdown in the middle of winter. The majority of boiler breakdowns do happen in the winter, and it is not coincidence as the colder weather puts a strain on a lot of the mechanics of the boiler. Of course it has also been shown that in a small number of cases a faulty boiler can even be fatal from Carbon monoxide poisoning, or from the cold temperatures that many, especially the elderly, can be vulnerable to in the winter.

Full repairs and annual service checks can be guaranteed from British Gas and Npower for as little as £10 a month, so it is small expenses to pay for the peace of mind that comes with a guaranteed fully functioning boiler. Part of the reason for the lack of checks appears to be due to many of the respondents to Power NI’s survey being unaware that their boiler should be checked every year. Perhaps awareness is the most vital factor in ensuring that boiler checks are performed, and problems can be reduced with the occasional catastrophes averted. Carbon monoxide detectors would be a good addition to the home to help improve safety, but going to the root of the problem and ensuring the boiler is well maintained and can’t cause any other problems surely has to be the first priority.