My boiler has gone on the blink (Baxi). Its about 5 years old (7yr warranty) but i've just realised the last time i got it serviced was in 2023. Theres a big sign on the front saying without a annual service its invalid.
Is it even worth trying?
There's no harm in trying, but as a fellow Baxi owner it's one of the first things that they ask.
Baxi tightened their criteria up last year on heat exchanger blockages (we just dodged that one) and they now supply the 800 series boiler with a magnetic filter that must be used if you want the full 10 years
To keep your boiler warranty valid, please ensure it is registered within 30 days of installation, your installer completes the Benchmark checklist and that you arrange for an annual service, during which your heating engineer should check that the water in your heating system is clean and that sludge is not present and clean the magnetic filter https://www.baxi.co.uk/support/warranty/boiler-warranty-information
It's a bugger. Our ancient Baxi went 30 years with one big overhaul and no annual servicing. Our new Worcestor uses far less gas though and has far better controls. Unlike the old Baxi there is no pilot light to blow out any time there is high winds. The annual service is just another cost to keep the warranty. At least it is in a month where there's no car service/MOT cost or house insurance.
Boiler replacement was one of those things we just kept putting off. should have done it sooner but luckily did it just before the gas price spike after the Ukraine invasion.
Positive experience for me with an Ideal boiler a few years ago. I wasn't the purchaser (it was in the house when I bought it) and hadn't had it serviced for 2 years, but they agreed to fix mine under warranty if I paid them for a service. Service wasn't any dearer than my normal plumber. I can't remember what the problem was but it took a good few hours to fix and involved new parts.
Just had a new Valiant fitted along with the magnetic filter which my plumber said was part of the warranty requirements. He also said they're buggers for voiding the warranty if you don't service it every year.
Bought a Worcestor 7 years ago, had it serviced once then left it, so voided the warranty. Hasn't gone wrong so quids in on not paying for services, must have saved £500 - that will go a long way if it ever does need any repairs.
I bought a new boiler 10 years ago. Decided not to service, but saved £100 a year into the boiler savings account. Three months ago it started losing pressure, so a service and new valve (£120) and I am still £880 up in my savings account.
Bought a Worcestor 7 years ago, had it serviced once then left it, so voided the warranty. Hasn't gone wrong so quids in on not paying for services, must have saved £500 - that will go a long way if it ever does need any repairs.
As the owner of a 12 year old Worcester Bosch, I've got bad news for you sunshine. Main heat exchanger is about a grand fitted. And that's only one of the expensive repairs I've had done.
Bought a Worcestor 7 years ago, had it serviced once then left it, so voided the warranty. Hasn't gone wrong so quids in on not paying for services, must have saved £500 - that will go a long way if it ever does need any repairs.
As the owner of a 12 year old Worcester Bosch, I've got bad news for you sunshine. Main heat exchanger is about a grand fitted. And that's only one of the expensive repairs I've had done.
I never said I expected it to be reliable in the future. It would be out of warranty now anyway even if I had serviced it with the same risk of needing to pay for a heat exchanger.
Just had a new Valiant fitted along with the magnetic filter which my plumber said was part of the warranty requirements. He also said they're buggers for voiding the warranty if you don't service it every year.
Valiant refused my claim as they said someone coming out to take apart and fix their p.o.s boiler in the first year didn’t count as a service
Having seen what ash/ dust resides can build up in the heat exchanger air passages on a yearly basis on a Worcester Bosch boiler and talking to the guy doing the service, a boiler that hasn’t had that part of the service done regularly won’t be running very efficiently.