Insight

Brits “baffled by boilers”

• Almost a third (29%) of boilers failed to receive a scheduled check due to lockdown delays. One in ten did not receive a check at all.
• A quarter of Brits do not know that boilers require annual servicing, with a fifth (20%) of renters not knowing whether their boiler had been checked within the last 12 months
• 40% of homeowners do not realise that having their boiler serviced can save them money

Worcester Bosch has discovered some alarming truths among homeowners and tenants when it comes to boiler maintenance – something which has deteriorated during lockdown.

Almost a third of boilers were overdue on checks, with lockdown measures delaying these further. A significant 24% of those surveyed also admitted that they were unaware that their boilers should be checked every 12 months.

On top of that, one in five of those renting said they were unaware if their landlord had organised a gas safety check on their boilers, even though it is a legal requirement.

Ensuring a boiler is regularly serviced is an important and necessary procedure that every household should make a priority, not just for safety reasons, but also financial ones too. A boiler that is serviced on a regular basis will continue to run efficiently, saving money on energy bills. When asked, a massive 40% of Brits did not know that the two went hand in hand.

The company also found that a quarter of Brits believed a boiler would only last up to five years, when in fact with the correct maintenance, they can actually last up to two decades.

Martyn Bridges, director of technical communication and product management at Worcester Bosch, commented: “Our findings are alarming, however sadly not too surprising. Heating appliances such as boilers are regularly overlooked by homeowners, even though if they are not properly maintained, they can cause a number of issues.

“Having your boiler regularly serviced can ensure it is running efficiently and safely, as well as avoiding unavoidable – and sometimes costly – issues later down the line.”

www.worcester-bosch.co.uk