We will soon be digging out our knitwear and coats and wondering if it is chilly enough to sneak the central heating on (if we haven't done so already).
This is also the time to think about checking that the boiler is in good working order. After months of inactivity, firing up the central heating again can put a considerable strain on boilers. If there are any underlying mechanical faults, a rude awakening from the summer slumbers is often when problems are revealed.
It is not a pleasant experience when your boiler conks out during the first cold snap, far better to check for potential problems in advance.
In a recent consumer survey carried out on behalf of
Go Assist, 51% of people who took part said they had their boiler serviced regularly. A quarter said they did not get their boilers serviced, while 24% said they did not own a boiler.
If you are one of the 25% who do not have their boiler serviced annually, now is a good time to reconsider. Boilers are one of those things we don’t really appreciate until they stop working .
To cover or not to cover?
Even if you do the sensible thing and get your boiler serviced, that is no guarantee that something won’t go wrong during winter, particularly if we have a repeat of last year’s ‘Beast from the East’. As boilers are not included in your home contents insurance, it may be worth considering additional boiler cover insurance. You can also bundle in boiler cover with home emergency insurance.
According to the survey, less than half of homeowners (45%) currently have home emergency cover. But as well as protecting you for boiler breakdown and associated risks such as burst pipe replacements and leak repairs, a home emergency policy covers you for a wide range of other scenarios associated with adverse weather, from storm damage to roofs and windows to floods caused by overwhelmed drainage systems.
How to choose the best boiler cover
The Consumers Association brand 'Which?', can help you to choose the
best servicing cover, or decide whether you need it at all. Topics include:
Is boiler cover worth buying?
How much does boiler cover cost?
Types of boiler cover
How to get cheap boiler cover
Best and worst boiler cover brands
Should I have an annual boiler service?
How much does boiler breakdown cover cost?
Is there anything I should watch out for?
Be prepared for whatever the weather throws at your home.
