What's the Difference Between a Boiler Service and Gas Safety Check?
Gas safety checks are required on all gas appliances every 12 months. It involves a certified engineer checking general gas safety and ensuring that the appliance is operating according to its intended purpose.
Peace of Mind
Having a boiler service can give you peace of heart that your heating system is safe to use. You can also save money by ensuring that your heating system functions as efficiently as it can. Regularly servicing your boiler will reduce the possibility of it failing which can cause a significant headache and expense for homeowners.
Gas safety certificates, also known by the abbreviation CP12 are official documents that prove the security of gas appliances and installations in your home. A Gas Safe registered engineer will typically issue the certificate following an exhaustive assessment and inspection. The CP12 will contain information about the property where the safety check was carried out and also the name and registration number for the person who carried out the safety check.
While a gas safety certification is not required by law for homeowners however it is recommended to have one annually. This will ensure that your boiler is safe and that you aren't 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 are legally obliged to be required to undergo an annual gas safety test carried out by a Gas Safe registered technician. It is important to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and fittings in a property can be safely used by tenants. If a landlord fails to have their gas appliances checked and certified by an Gas Safe registered engineer, they could be subject to charges or even prosecution.
Gas safety checks check various things, including the pilot light in your boiler to make sure it isn't burning yellow, orange or red. It will also inspect the passages for ventilation to ensure that combustible gases are effectively ejected from the building and will also examine the pressure of the burner and gas supply. The gas engineer will also check the flues, to ensure that they're not blocked by combustible substances.
Legal compliance
If you're a landlord or a responsible party for an industrial installation complying with the legal requirements is essential in ensuring the safety of both occupants and workers. This includes ensuring that gas appliances are in good working in good condition and safe. This means having regular boiler service and annual gas safety checks. Alongside ensuring the safety of your occupants, it's also a great method to ensure your system is operating at a high level and avoid costly repairs or replacements.
Landlords must have a gas safety inspection performed on all gas appliances, fittings and flues at their properties every year. The safety inspection is conducted by an engineer registered with Gas Safe and is intended to ensure that all legal requirements are in place. Landlords must also give a copy of the certificate of gas safety before tenants move in and keep records of every inspection.
The annual gas safety certificate is an excellent idea for homeowners, particularly in the event that they plan to sell their property in the near future. This document confirms that the boiler, and all gas appliances, have been tested and are safe to use. It can be helpful when trying to sell your home or request warranty repairs.
It is crucial to know the difference between boiler services and gas safety certificates. Both procedures check and service a gas boiler however, the scope, purpose and legal implications are different. The boiler service is maintenance, while the gas safety certification is a document that guarantees security for all gas appliances and installations inside a property.

Understanding the distinctions between these two processes will allow homeowners and landlords to maintain safety, efficiency and legal compliance. You can ensure that your properties are in compliance with the most current laws by knowing the distinctions between these two documents. With Tradify's ever-growing library gas forms and certificates it's easier than ever before to create, fill out, deliver and sign these documents online, which means you can meet your legal obligations quickly and easily.
Energy efficiency
A boiler service is a great way to keep your heating system in good condition. It will not only ensure the security and safety of your heating system but also help you save money on energy costs. Inefficient boilers use up more fuel than they need and can increase your energy costs substantially. If you maintain your boiler regularly, it will run more efficiently, which means you will not require as much energy to heat your home.
A gas safety certificate is required for all landlords who own properties with gas appliances, and is a legal document that confirms the appliances and installations within the property are safe for use. The certificate also identifies the person who performed the inspection, and also provides details of any issues that were found. This information is crucial to ensure that any hazards that could be a risk are identified and corrected as soon as is possible.
A gas safety certificate is essential for all landlords, and it's also recommended that homeowners obtain one too. This will put their mind at ease about the safety of their gas appliances and could even detect any issues before they turn into bigger issues. The gas safety test is available as part of a boiler service or on its own.
The main difference between a gas safety check and boiler services is that a gas safety check examines all gas appliances in a property, and ensures they are safe to use. This includes examining for leaks, checking to see whether the flues have been blocked, and ensuring that there is enough ventilation.
A boiler service On the other hand is a more thorough check of the boiler and its components. This includes removal of the front cover the boiler, ensuring that the inside is clean, and ensuring the burners are working properly. The engineer will also take measurements of the gas pressure and flow settings and verify whether there is a blue pilot flame. They will also inspect for corrosion or damage to the seals and pipework and ensure that there is sufficient air flow around flue terminals.
Safety
In the UK, it is legal for landlords to obtain a gas safety certificate and regularly service their tenants boilers. Regular servicing of your boiler will help ensure optimal performance which can reduce your energy bills and ensuring that your heating system works effectively and safely. Some homeowners insurance policies require it.
An engineer will check that all gas appliances are safe to use. The engineer will inspect the boiler for signs like corrosion or leakage and ensure that the pilot flame is always blue. The engineer will also make sure whether the boiler has the correct gas pressure and isn't producing excessive carbon monoxide. They will also test the ignition system, to make sure it's sufficient to ignite gas and ensure that the burners are in good condition.
It is worth noting that a boiler service doesn't necessarily include a Gas Safety Certificate, and an appointment needs to be scheduled for this. A gas safety certificate is a more in-depth inspection of all the gas appliances that are in the property, including those that don't require maintenance. It also covers larger installations, such as central heating and fires.
In this regard landlords are legally obliged to obtain an Gas Safety Certificate before letting a property. how much for landlords gas safety certificate will need to be handed out to each of the tenants and kept in a secure place for reference should there ever be a problem with the appliance.
Some property owners opt for digital versions of their certificates, instead of keeping them on paper. This can improve efficiency, storage and security. It's also easier to find the document when it's needed, and there's a less chance of it being damaged or lost during the process of moving house. A digital copy of your gas certificate is also useful if you intend to sell your property and simplifies the process to transfer ownership. You can even upload it to an online tenancy tracking website so you can present prospective buyers with the current Gas Safety Certificate.