[Alcdrew]

I have a Ideal Isar HE24 combi boiler that is coming up to two years old. Should I get it serviced? What exactly do they service in a boiler? I have read somewhere ages ago someone saying it's not worth it has all they do is dust it (although this does sound bizarre to me) they must do more than that surely?

And what would be an average price for a boiler service, just so I have a rough idea and don't get ripped off.

[GetMeOuttaHere]

You need to contact this forum member, Seacam he's one of the experts on here in regards to boilers, plumbing etc. He'll be able to tell you all you need to know.

[fat controller]

They do a lot more than just dust it :-

- Remove cover
- Suck air through their teeth
- Tell you that your diddlyflop is looking worn, but you'll probably get another 6 months out of it
- Drink tea
- Spread tools out all over your floor
- Run the boiler with the cover off so you can be impressed with the pretty blue flames, and how brave he is for running it with the cover off
- Screw the cover back on
- Relieve you of two weeks wages

[CaptMcMallister]

Originally Posted by Alcdrew

I have a Ideal Isar HE24 combi boiler that is coming up to two years old. Should I get it serviced? What exactly do they service in a boiler? I have read somewhere ages ago someone saying it's not worth it has all they do is dust it (although this does sound bizarre to me) they must do more than that surely?

And what would be an average price for a boiler service, just so I have a rough idea and don't get ripped off.

Tells you exactly in the manual:

http://www.idealboilers.com/docs/pdf/isar_he_manual.pdf

page 34.

Cleaning and a few basic checks, which you'd know about if they were to fail like "Check the DHW filter for blockage" in the effect it would have on the hot water (or lack there of).

These boilers have quite a bad reputation, blowing PCBs and leaking heat exchangers, both of which are very expensive to replace. Might be worth getting insurance that includes a free service?

[seacam]

Originally Posted by Alcdrew

I have a Ideal Isar HE24 combi boiler that is coming up to two years old. Should I get it serviced? What exactly do they service in a boiler? I have read somewhere ages ago someone saying it's not worth it has all they do is dust it (although this does sound bizarre to me) they must do more than that surely?

And what would be an average price for a boiler service, just so I have a rough idea and don't get ripped off.

Hi ALC,

Read this.

If you want further answer on your boiler, let me know.

[seacam]

Originally Posted by fat controller

They do a lot more than just dust it :-

- Remove cover
- Suck air through their teeth
- Tell you that your diddlyflop is looking worn, but you'll probably get another 6 months out of it
- Drink tea
- Spread tools out all over your floor
- Run the boiler with the cover off so you can be impressed with the pretty blue flames, and how brave he is for running it with the cover off
- Screw the cover back on
- Relieve you of two weeks wages

That made me laugh Fats, .

I'm embarrassed by it but I suspect in so-so many cases, never a truer word spoken.

Some of us, here and on other forums are trying to make a difference, get consumers to ask the right questions and what to expect.

It's slow going and I'm afraid to say, you are right, the rip off, remove cover merchants are still out there.

[Tass]

Originally Posted by fat controller

They do a lot more than just dust it :-

- Remove cover
- Suck air through their teeth
- Tell you that your diddlyflop is looking worn, but you'll probably get another 6 months out of it
- Drink tea
- Spread tools out all over your floor
- Run the boiler with the cover off so you can be impressed with the pretty blue flames, and how brave he is for running it with the cover off
- Screw the cover back on
- Relieve you of two weeks wages

That sounds remarkably like my last boiler service, though to be fair they did run a vacuum cleaner over it too

ps I didn't even know he would be looking at my diddlyflop, that was soooo personal

[hawkwinddotcom]

make sure your diddlyflop is well trimmed and doesn't smell of fish before getting it serviced

[seacam]

Originally Posted by hawkwinddotcom

make sure your diddlyflop is well trimmed and doesn't smell of fish before getting it serviced

Real men don't allude to such things like that Hawk.

[fat controller]

Originally Posted by seacam

That made me laugh Fats, .

I'm embarrassed by it but I suspect in so-so many cases, never a truer word spoken.

Some of us, here and on other forums are trying to make a difference, get consumers to ask the right questions and what to expect.

It's slow going and I'm afraid to say, you are right, the rip off, remove cover merchants are still out there.

There are bad sorts in every industry, not just yours. Only this afternoon I was speaking to a friend that had been quoted £500 for a new TV aerial, downlead into one room, a three way distribution unit, and then downleads on to the three TV's. He lives in a two bedroomed semi, so unless they are using coax that has a solid gold core, then the pricing is beyond extortion.


The really sad thing is, that if those that are rip off merchants changed their ways and treated their customers properly, I'd like to bet that they would be busier than ever.

[seacam]

Originally Posted by fat controller

There are bad sorts in every industry, not just yours. Only this afternoon I was speaking to a friend that had been quoted £500 for a new TV aerial, downlead into one room, a three way distribution unit, and then downleads on to the three TV's. He lives in a two bedroomed semi, so unless they are using coax that has a solid gold core, then the pricing is beyond extortion.


The really sad thing is, that if those that are rip off merchants changed their ways and treated their customers properly, I'd like to bet that they would be busier than ever.

£500, good grief!, they just keep going untill they find someone, robbing bastards.

[Alcdrew]

Originally Posted by CaptMcMallister

Tells you exactly in the manual:

http://www.idealboilers.com/docs/pdf/isar_he_manual.pdf

page 34.

Cleaning and a few basic checks, which you'd know about if they were to fail like "Check the DHW filter for blockage" in the effect it would have on the hot water (or lack there of).

These boilers have quite a bad reputation, blowing PCBs and leaking heat exchangers, both of which are very expensive to replace. Might be worth getting insurance that includes a free service?

I did read that pdf before asking, it was actually one of the reason I asked, as it doesn't really list anything, basically check the gas flow if that's OK charge the owner loads of money and walk away, if it's not OK dust a few parts and charge the owner loads of money... Might be a bit more to it, but that's the way I read it

Originally Posted by seacam

Hi ALC,

Read this.

If you want further answer on your boiler, let me know.

Thanks Seacam, interesting reading in that link. Going by what you said to Creole, who also had an Ideal boiler a proper/ full service should cost about £170, this is a lot higher than anyone has quoted, so guess no one has actually quoted for a 'service' only a 10 mins check...

But according the money supermarket The average cost of repairing a boiler is £185, so seems this can't be a 'proper' repair either, in so far as they will replace the broken part but not (possibly) fix the cause, depending on the problem, but I would guess no cleaning out (de-sludging) etc...

Really makes me wonder whether any of it is worth it, I can pay £200 a year for break down cover which will include a 'check' and repairs that might happen, I can pay £170 a year to have it properly serviced, but this won't stop it breaking, or I can but £170-200 a year into a boiler savings fund to cover any repairs and or replacement in the future.

[seacam]

Originally Posted by Alcdrew

I did read that pdf before asking, it was actually one of the reason I asked, as it doesn't really list anything, basically check the gas flow if that's OK charge the owner loads of money and walk away, if it's not OK dust a few parts and charge the owner loads of money... Might be a bit more to it, but that's the way I read it



Thanks Seacam, interesting reading in that link. Going by what you said to Creole, who also had an Ideal boiler a proper/ full service should cost about £170, this is a lot higher than anyone has quoted, so guess no one has actually quoted for a 'service' only a 10 mins check...

But according the money supermarket The average cost of repairing a boiler is £185, so seems this can't be a 'proper' repair either, in so far as they will replace the broken part but not (possibly) fix the cause, depending on the problem, but I would guess no cleaning out (de-sludging) etc...

Really makes me wonder whether any of it is worth it, I can pay £200 a year for break down cover which will include a 'check' and repairs that might happen, I can pay £170 a year to have it properly serviced, but this won't stop it breaking, or I can but £170-200 a year into a boiler savings fund to cover any repairs and or replacement in the future.

Hello Alc,

You book your car in to a garage because you have an oil leak, sump plug charged, oil replaced and you are on your way, sorted, repair done.

You book your vehicle for its 50-60 thousand mile service, oil is clean, sparks are OK, vehicle is running OK but these things are changed along with filters and so on, you have not had a repair, you have had a service.

One takes an hour to do and all is well, the other, you loose your vehicle for the day and hopefully all will be well but you will still/maybe need further oil changes/repairs until the next service.

As I stated in my early thread, you can not service a boiler, check it efficiency and safety in 20 minutes.

As fats said, the cover can be removed, teeth sucked and a dusting job,---that can be done with in 10-20 minutes.

When ever you have a new boiler installed, some time between then and up to 15 years down the line it will need to be repaired and replaced.

Its always a good idea to put a bit of money away to cover boiler eventualities, I advice my clients and others to consider opening a boiler ISA.

But there are some makes of boilers/combies where it shouldn't be a consideration but a must.

A decent service contract will cover you against most repairs and include a service once a year.

End users should ask what is done in that service?