Boiler warranties explained
A boiler warranty is a promise from the maker or installer to put right certain faults, on conditions you have to keep to. Keep your paperwork and servicing records in order and you stay on the right side of those conditions.
- A few quick questions
- No obligation
Warranties differ from one boiler and one installer to the next, so the paper that came with yours is the final word. What follows is how they generally work, what tends to cause trouble, and what to keep safe.
Who gives you a warranty
The boiler manufacturer
Covers the boiler itself against faults in parts or build, on the maker's terms.
- Backed by the company that built the boiler
- Usually tied to the boiler, not to who fitted it
- Often needs the boiler registered or activated
- May expect servicing and a qualified installer
The installer
Some installers cover their own workmanship, separate from the maker's cover.
- Covers the fitting, not just the parts
- One person to ring about the install
- Only as good as the firm behind it
- Terms vary widely, so read them
A third-party or extended plan
A paid cover plan from an insurer or service company, often bought separately.
- Can run alongside or after the maker's cover
- May include repairs and servicing
- Has its own exclusions and excess rules
- Easy to pay for cover you already have
A local installer who prices in writing
Ask us about your boiler and we will price the job, so you can compare it fairly with the others.
- A written price before any work starts
- No obligation to go ahead
- A local installer, not a national call centre
What usually voids a warranty
Most warranties set conditions, and breaking one can put the cover at risk. Common ones are:
- Fitting by someone the maker does not accept.
- Missed servicing, or no proof of it.
- Repairs or changes by anyone other than a suitably qualified engineer.
- Not registering the boiler when the maker asks you to.
- Damage from poor water quality, frost or misuse.
The exact list is in your terms, so read them early.
What to keep in a warranty folder
- The warranty document or confirmation email
- Proof of purchase and the installer's invoice
- The boiler's make, model and serial number
- Every service record, dated and signed
- Any certificate from the installation, such as the building regulations certificate
- Records of repairs, with who did them
- Contact details for the maker and installer
How to make a claim
Step 1
Stop and check
If you think the boiler is unsafe, turn it off and stop using it. Do not try to fix it yourself.
Step 2
Find your paperwork
Pull out the warranty, invoice and service records before you call.
Step 3
Contact the right party
Ring the maker, installer or plan provider named in your terms.
Step 4
Let an approved engineer look
Ask who they want to attend, so you do not void the cover by calling someone else.
Keeping your cover intact
Do
- Register the boiler if the maker asks for it
- Book servicing on time and keep the record
- Ask your installer what their work is covered for
- Keep all paperwork together in one place
Don't
- Let an unknown person repair or alter the boiler
- Ignore a fault that is getting worse
- Throw away the invoice or serial number
- Assume the warranty transfers to a new owner without checking
Common questions about boiler warranties
Is the manufacturer's warranty the same as the installer's?
No. The maker's cover is usually for the boiler itself, while an installer's cover, if offered, is for their workmanship. Ask for both in writing so you know who to call.
Does a missed service cancel my warranty?
It can. Many warranties expect regular servicing with proof. Check your terms, and if you have missed one, ask the provider before assuming anything.
Can I claim if someone else repaired the boiler?
It may affect the claim. Some terms only accept work by named or qualified engineers. Check the wording or ask the warranty provider.
Does the warranty pass to a new owner?
Sometimes, sometimes not. It depends on the terms. Ask the maker or provider, and keep the paperwork to hand if you sell.
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