What's the Difference Between a Boiler Service and Gas Safety Check?
A frequent question is "What's the difference between a boiler service and a gas safety check?" A gas safety check is the minimum requirement to carry out on any gas appliance every 12 months. It involves a licensed engineer who checks the general safety of the gas and ensuring that it's operating according to its intended purpose.
Peace of Mind
Having a boiler service can give you peace of mind that your heating system is safe to use. You can also save money by ensuring your heating system is operating as efficiently as possible. Regularly servicing your boiler will reduce the chance of it failing, which is a major headache and expense for homeowners.
A gas safety certificate, also known as a CP12, is an official document that confirms the safety of your home's gas appliances and installations. A Gas Safe registered engineer will typically issue the certificate following an exhaustive evaluation and inspection. The CP12 certificate will include information about the property where the inspection took place, as well as the name and registration number of the engineer who conducted the safety check.
While a gas safety certification is not required by law for homeowners, it is still highly recommended that you get one annually. This will ensure that your boiler is safe and you are not at risk of gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning. Certain home insurance policies require a gas safety certification before they will be able to honor the warranty for your boiler.
Landlords however are legally obliged to have an annual gas safety test carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer every year. It is crucial to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and fittings in a property can be used safely by tenants. If a landlord does not check their gas appliances and certified by a Gas Safe registered engineer, they could face charges or even prosecution.
A gas safety check will examine a wide range of things such as the pilot light on your boiler to make sure that it is not burning blue and not yellow, orange or red. The gas safety check will also examine the ventilation passages, to ensure that combustible gasses are properly ejected from your property. It will also inspect the pressure of the burner and the gas supply. do i need a gas safety certificate will also check the flues, to ensure that they're not blocked by combustible substances.
Legal compliance
If you're a landlord or responsible party for an industrial installation, meeting legal requirements is crucial to protecting the safety of occupants as well as workers. A key element of this is to ensure that gas appliances are safe and in good in good working order. This means having regular boiler service and annual gas safety inspections. Alongside ensuring the safety of your occupants as well as a good method to keep your system running efficiently and prevent costly repairs or replacements.
Landlords are required to have a gas safety inspection done on all gas appliances, fittings and flues in their homes each year. The safety check has to be conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and is designed to ensure that the appliance adheres to all legal requirements. Landlords are also required to submit the certificate of gas safety before tenants move in and keep records of each inspection.
The annual gas safety certificate is an excellent idea for homeowners, especially in the event that they plan to sell their home in the near future. This document proves that the boiler and all gas appliances have been checked and are safe to use. This is helpful when trying to sell your home or claim back warranty repairs.
It is important to know the difference between a gas safety certification and the boiler service. Both processes are used to check and maintain a gas boiler however, the scope, purpose and legal implications differ. The boiler service is a maintenance process, while the gas safety certificate is an official document that guarantees the safety of all the gas appliances and installations that are in the property.
Understanding the distinction between the two processes is crucial for homeowners and landlords alike to maintain safety, efficiency, and legal compliance. By being aware of the difference between these two documents you can ensure that your property is up to date with the latest gas safety regulations. With Tradify's ever-growing library gas certificates and forms, it's simpler than ever before to create the necessary forms, fill them out, and then sign and deliver these documents online, ensuring that you can meet your legal obligations quickly and easily.
Energy efficiency
A boiler service is a great way to keep your heating system in top condition. It will not only ensure the security and safety of your heating system but will also save you money on energy bills. Inefficient boilers use more fuel than they need which could increase your energy costs substantially. If you maintain your boiler regularly, it will run more effectively, which means you won't need the same amount of energy to heat your home.
A gas safety certificate is required by any landlord who owns properties with gas appliances and is a legal document that confirms that the appliances and installation in the property are safe for use. The certificate will also identify the engineer who carried out the inspection, and give the details of any issues that were discovered. This information is essential to ensure that any hazards that could be a risk are identified and rectified as quickly as possible.
It is essential for landlords to get an official gas safety certificate. It is recommended that homeowners get one. This will put their minds at ease about the security of their gas appliances and may even identify any issues early on before they become more serious issues. The gas safety check is offered as part of the boiler service, or it can be purchased separately.
gas safety certificate uk between a gas safety inspection and a boiler service is that a safety check for gas looks at all the gas appliances in a property, and ensures they are safe to use. This includes examining for leaks, determining whether the flues have been blocked, and ensuring that there is enough ventilation.
A boiler service is a more thorough inspection of the boiler, as well as its accessories. This includes taking off the front cover of the boiler, making sure that the inside is clean and making sure that the burners are working properly. The engineer will also take measurements of the gas pressure and flow settings, and ensure whether there is a visible blue flame for the pilot. They will also check for any damage or corrosion to the pipework and seals, as well as ensuring that there is enough air flow around the flue's terminals.
Safety
In the UK, it is legal for landlords to carry out a gas safety certificate and regularly service their tenants boilers. Regular boiler maintenance will help ensure optimal performance which can reduce energy costs and ensuring your heating system is functioning effectively and safely. It's also a requirement of some homeowners insurance policies.
An engineer will ensure that all gas appliances are safe to use. This involves looking over the boiler for indications of leakage or corrosion, and making sure the pilot flame is blue (a yellow or orange, red or purple flame could indicate a problem). The engineer will also check that the boiler is producing enough carbon monoxide, and has the proper gas pressure. They will also test the ignition system to ensure that it is strong enough to ignite gas and ensure that the burners are in good condition.
It is worth noting that a boiler service does not necessarily come with the Gas Safety Certificate, and an appointment needs to be arranged for this. Gas safety certificates are a more thorough inspection of all gas appliances that are in the home, including ones that don't require maintenance. It also covers bigger installations, such as central heating and fires.
To this end, landlords are legally required to carry out a Gas Safety Certificate before letting an apartment. The certificate will need to be provided to each of the tenants and stored in a secure location for reference should there ever be an issue with the appliance.

Some property owners prefer digital versions of their certificates, instead of conserving them on paper. This is a great option to increase efficiency, security, and storage. It's easy to locate if required, and is less likely to be lost or damaged during moving. It is also useful to have an electronic copy of the gas certificate if you're selling your home. This makes it much easier to transfer ownership. You can upload it to an online tenancy tracking system so you can show prospective purchasers an up-to-date Gas Safety Certificate.