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boiler-warranty-guide
Is your gas boiler warranty still valid?
Updated 2022

There are a few things you should be aware of regarding boiler warranties to ensure you make the right choice. We'll cover most things you need to know in this updated guide, including what is covered and what to look for when selecting one.

As well as choosing the right boiler for your home, you need to make sure the warranty gives you the cover you need.



What's the difference between a Boiler warranty and a Guarantee?


Warranties:
A warranty is a formal written assurance stipulating a specific period for repairing or replacing defective equipment under ‘regular’ use.

It's intended to give reassurance that their business is prepared to maintain or repair the components or goods under typical conditions.


Guarantees:
A verbal commitment that the product will function as intended or can be returned for a refund is known as a guarantee. However, guarantees can vary from product to product and from manufacturer to manufacturer.


The terms within a boiler warranty


Many individuals must be made aware that specific requirements need to be met for your boiler warranty to remain in effect for the duration of the coverage period (1 - 2 years or above).

However, the truth is that in order to keep your warranty valid, the majority of boiler manufacturers specify a few essential conditions, which include the following:


  • The boiler must be installed by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
  • The warranty must be registered with the manufacturer within 30 days of purchase.
  • A boiler service performed by a Gas Safe Engineer annually.
  • Any faults within the warranty period should be referred to the manufacturers.


Typical duration of a gas boiler warranty.


There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to manufacturing warranties. Each boiler manufacturer will have its own tailored warranty. Some will be more attractive than others, so it’s worth doing some investigation to see which manufacturer offers the best one.

In today's competitive boiler market, most manufacturers provide a free extended warranty from 2 to 10 years (subject to conditions). All boiler brands typically include a standard guarantee of 1 to 5 years.


Boiler warranty periods.
Boiler Brand warranty Period
Viessmann 5 to 10 years of warranty
Worcester Bosch 5–10 years of warranty
Vaillant 5 to 10 years of warranty
BAXI 3 to 10 years of warranty



Does a new boiler come with a guarantee?


The majority of boiler manufacturers offer guarantees and warranties. For all boilers, a one-year warranty is typical; however, it may be extended. In fact, many boiler manufacturers and dealers offer guarantees and warranties that last up to 12 years (sometimes even longer subject to conditions).

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 is a law that offers protection for the consumer. According to the law, if a repair is unsuccessful after 30 days, the consumer is within their rights to ask for a free replacement or repair or price reduction.

Furthermore, Let's say a fault occurs within a period of 30 days to 6 months. If the supplier cannot provide proof that their product was fault-free at the point of installation, it will be assumed that the product was delivered with a pre-existing defect. In other words, you are guaranteed that if you buy a new boiler, it will be replaced or fixed within the time range outlined in the Consumer Rights Act.



Check your boiler warranty.
Every boiler has a standard one/to two-year cover, which depending on the model, may be extended. Understanding the warranty is essential to help avoid expensive repairs. Even boilers with a good reputation occasionally fail. Ask the salesperson/manufacturer if the boiler warranty will cover the cost of any repairs during the warranty period.


Does the warranty cover boiler repairs?
Examine your documentation/receipt/ paperwork to determine whether to make a claim. If you cannot find the paperwork, you can call the installation company or the Gas Council, who will be able to provide information on your boiler, i.e., when it was installed, the make and model, serial number, and the company/engineer who installed it. This document will also specify the time frame for the warranty as well as your rights regarding repairs, refunds, and replacements.


Making a claim against the warranty.
Depending on the manufacturer, the procedures for claiming within warranty may differ from company to company. You will generally require the following when making a claim:

  • The receipt (This is typically a receipt outlining the location and date of the transaction)
  • Copy of the Warranty
  • Information on the issue
How long is the warranty on my boilers?
Manufacturers have responded to market constraints in a competitive industry by offering differing warranties on various models. They typically have extended warranties considerably.

If a claim is made within the warranty/guarantee period, the manufacturer will send a professional to replace the boiler or failed part/s labour costs will also be covered. Any manufacturer's warranty or guarantee must be valid (not expired) in the event of a claim.


Maintaining the boiler warranty.
You must possess the following to validate a manufacturer's warranty or guarantee:

  • The boiler was installed by a Registered Gas Engineer (RGI).
  • An RGI-certified engineer has performed every Annual Boiler Service.
  • Your warranty registration is to be forwarded to the manufacturer within 30 days of installation.
Is the warranty still valid?
All brand-new boilers will be covered by a guarantee, which may range in length from 3 to 10 years, depending on the small print in the warranty. If something goes wrong during the warranty period, all repairs should be free of charge!

Always abide by the conditions in the warranty agreement to avoid disappointment. This will mean an annual boiler service as a minimum; if the service history is broken, it could invalidate the warranty.


Read your warranty thoroughly!
Since many people are reluctant to read their warranty agreement, they cannot determine whether they are taking the appropriate steps to maintain coverage. This means if the boiler breaks down, you might be faced with paying the repair cost - don’t be caught off guard.

The things to look out for in the boiler warranty
The boiler warranty is significant as it can cover the cost of repairs. Today’s gas boilers last 15 years or more, so it makes sense to have complete coverage for as long as possible.

  • The issues covered by the boiler’s warranty,
  • Including labour and components,
  • Cause the warranty to expire.
  • Can the warranty be extended?
Remember to register the boiler with the manufacturer after boiler installation; otherwise, the warranty may not be valid.

What if my boiler warranty has expired?
It could mean you are outside of any ‘free’ parts or labour costs - which means you will have to pay! Having your boiler regularly serviced is vital even if your warranty has ended or your boiler is no longer covered. This will maintain its efficiency and lower the likelihood of a breakdown.

Your new boiler will come with a warranty, giving you some peace of mind. Older boilers are more prone to faults, which might increase the risk of a breakdown. If your boiler breaks down, you'll be left with the repair cost. The length of the warranty will significantly affect your long-term maintenance costs; therefore, picking the right boiler warranty is key.

Contact Serviceteam if you need to install, repair, or replace your gas boiler. Our qualified gas-safe engineers are on call 7 days a week.