What is a boiler warranty and do I need one?

Every new boiler should come with a manufacturer-backed warranty as part of the package. It’s one of the things you should make sure you’ll get before going ahead with a boiler installation.

Let’s take a look at what it means to have a boiler warranty and why it might be important when buying a new boiler or moving home.

What is a boiler warranty?

A manufacturer's boiler warranty is an agreement to repair or replace your boiler if there’s an unexpected fault or breakdown – within a specific amount of time after installation. While timeframes might vary between boiler brands and models, all new boilers should have a warranty of at least 2 years, as standard.

If a Gas Safe engineer installed your boiler, then you should be able to extend it for an extra cost – if you want to. This will also depend on the manufacturer and whether your boiler meets specific requirements.

What will a boiler warranty cover?

Warranties vary between manufacturers, so you’ll need to check your warranty documents to see exactly what’s covered with yours. For example, one boiler manufacturer might only cover specific parts.

What are the standard boiler warranty terms and conditions?

While all warranties are slightly different, there are usually some common terms and conditions that come as standard. These include:

• A fully trained Gas Safe engineer must install your boiler. A boiler warranty will only be valid if the boiler is fitted by a professional who follows the correct health and safety procedures.
• When completing a repair on your boiler, a Gas Safe engineer will only use manufacturer-approved parts.
• Any boiler warranty will need to be registered with the manufacturer within the first 30 days following a boiler installation. If you are unsure of how this works, you should ask your manufacturer.
• You’ll have an annual boiler service by a trained Gas Safe engineer. This is essential, as it helps to make sure the boiler is being properly maintained throughout the year. There should be an official record of your boiler service in the manufacturer manual.

How long will my boiler warranty be valid?

While warranties might vary in length between boiler brands and models, all new boilers should have a warranty of at least 2 years, as standard. You also might be able to extend yours for an additional cost.

We also recommend checking whether your chosen manufacturer has a specific warranty guide. This may be on their website and/or in your boiler warranty documents. What’s the difference between a boiler warranty and a boiler guarantee?

While the 2 sound almost the same, they are different. The main difference between warranties and guarantees is that a guarantee is usually free and given to you by the manufacturer.This is a promise to fix or replace the boiler for free if something goes wrong — within a set timeframe. Usually at least 2 years. A guarantee will usually cover all and any breakdowns or replacements, no questions asked.

On the other hand, a warranty is usually something you buy extra, similar to an insurance policy. It will only cover specific manufacturing breakdowns or faulty parts for a set time period. You also might be able to extend your warranty for an additional cost.

Looking after your boiler

Without a boiler service from a Gas Safe engineer, you won’t be able to protect your boiler under warranty. That’s why we recommend having a reliable boiler cover in place for peace of mind, all year round.