Your boiler is one of the most important systems in your home or business, especially during a Scottish winter. Yet many people only think about their boiler when something goes wrong. A common question we hear at Wright Gas, a trusted boiler repair and installation company in Glasgow, is:

“How often should you get your boiler serviced?”

The short answer: once a year.

The longer (and more important) answer depends on your boiler type, usage, age, and whether you want to avoid costly boiler repair, breakdowns, or even emergency boiler replacement.

This guide explains everything you need to know about boiler maintenance and boiler service, including costs, risks of skipping servicing, and when a boiler replacement or new boiler installation makes more sense.

What Is a Boiler Service?

A boiler service is a professional inspection and maintenance check carried out by a qualified engineer to ensure your boiler is operating safely, efficiently, and reliably.

A standard annual boiler service includes:

• Safety checks (gas leaks, carbon monoxide risks)
• Cleaning internal components
• Pressure and performance testing
• Inspection of seals, valves, and pipework
• Identifying early signs of boiler failure

This applies to:

• Gas boiler service
• Electric boiler service
• Combi boiler service

How Often Should a Boiler Be Serviced?

Once Every 12 Months (Minimum). For most homes and businesses, a boiler should be serviced annually.

Annual servicing is:

• Recommended by manufacturers
• Required to keep warranties valid
• Essential for energy efficiency
• Crucial for preventing winter breakdowns

If you skip servicing, you’re more likely to face:

• Sudden boiler emergency
• Expensive boiler repair
• Shortened boiler lifespan
• Invalid manufacturer warranty

Does Boiler Type Affect Service Frequency?

Gas Boilers: A gas boiler service should always be carried out once per year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Why?

• Gas appliances pose safety risks if neglected
• Carbon monoxide leaks are often undetectable without testing
• Legal requirement for landlords

Combi Boilers: A combi boiler provides both heating and hot water, meaning it works harder than traditional systems. Combi boiler maintenance is especially important, and annual servicing is non-negotiable.

If you own a:

• New combi boiler
• Combination boiler installation
• Annual servicing protects your investment and keeps efficiency high.

Electric Boilers: While electric boilers don’t burn gas, they still require inspection.

An electric boiler service checks:

• Electrical connections
• Heating elements
• Safety controls

Electric boiler servicing is recommended every 12–18 months, though annual checks are still best practice.

Manufacturer-Specific Servicing (Very Important)

If you own a branded boiler, servicing must follow manufacturer guidelines.

At Wright Gas, we regularly carry out:

• Vaillant boiler service
• Baxi boiler service

Skipping manufacturer-approved servicing can:

• Void warranties
• Increase repair costs
• Lead to early boiler replacement

What Happens If You Don’t Service Your Boiler?

Neglecting boiler maintenance often leads to:

• Higher Boiler Repair Costs: Small faults become major failures, especially in winter.
• Emergency Boiler Replacement: Older boilers fail suddenly when under cold-weather pressure.
• Increased Energy Bills: Poorly maintained boilers use more fuel to produce less heat.
• Safety Risks: Carbon monoxide leaks are silent and dangerous.

Many emergency call-outs we attend could have been avoided with a routine boiler service.

How Much Does a Boiler Service Cost in Glasgow?

Typical boiler service cost in 2026:

• Gas boiler service: £80 – £120
• Combi boiler service: £90 – £130
• Electric boiler service: £70 – £110

Compared to:

• Boiler repair: £150 – £600+
• Emergency boiler replacement: £2,000 – £4,000+

Servicing is one of the best ROI decisions homeowners can make.

When Should You Consider Boiler Replacement Instead?

Even with perfect maintenance, boilers don’t last forever. Signs You May Need a Boiler Replacement:

• Boiler is 10–15+ years old
• Frequent breakdowns
• Rising repair costs
• Poor efficiency ratings
• Parts are discontinued

At this stage, replacing boiler systems may be more cost-effective than constant repairs.

Is Annual Boiler Servicing a Legal Requirement?

For Landlords & Businesses. Yes. Annual gas boiler service is a legal requirement for rental properties.

Landlords must:

• Arrange annual safety checks
• Keep service records
• Ensure tenant safety

Failure to comply can result in fines and invalid insurance.

Best Time of Year to Book a Boiler Service

Late summer or early autumn. Why?

• Engineers are less busy
• Issues can be fixed before winter
• Avoid winter emergency call-out delays

Booking early also allows time to plan a new boiler installation if needed.

Final Answer: How Often Should You Service Your Boiler?

Once a year—every year. It’s the simplest way to:

• Reduce boiler repair costs
• Avoid emergency breakdowns
• Protect your home or business
• Extend boiler lifespan
• Save money long-term

Book Your Boiler Service Today

Don’t wait until winter, or worse, until your boiler fails.

Book your boiler service, boiler maintenance, or new boiler installation with Wright Gas today. Speak to our Glasgow-based engineers for expert advice and competitive pricing.