ᐅ Is Regular Heating System Maintenance Really Worthwhile?

Brief explanation:

We have a gas boiler with a combination tank for hot water. It was installed and commissioned in November 2015. It was inspected by the chimney sweep at that time and then checked again by him in 2017 (every 2 years). When the boiler’s water pressure recently dropped to just above 1 bar (around 1.1), I wanted to have water added. I was advised not to do this myself because apparently you shouldn’t use regular tap water for it. Also, the pressure should not drop below 1 bar.

While researching online, I noticed that many people have their boiler serviced annually, and these tasks are performed during the yearly maintenance. From what I read, it seems to be a must and should definitely be done every year. So I called a local plumbing company and scheduled a service. It costs €95 net plus extra material... they also offered a maintenance contract to ensure annual service from now on.

Now my problem:
The plumber showed up shortly after 11:30 a.m. to service the gas boiler for the first time in 3 years (my wife was at home). I arrived at home at 12:00 noon (I took an early lunch break on purpose) — by then he was already gone. According to my wife, he only wiped off some dust... no water was added. I then called the company again and they confirmed that at 1.1 bar, there is no need to add water.

The invoice was already in the mailbox the next day — about €113 gross. For 20 minutes of dusting... now I’m starting to question the purpose of annual servicing... how is this handled for you?

Of course, you can refill the water yourself using tap water. What kind of isotonic miracle drink did your plumber want to use?

Yes, maintenance should be carried out regularly on an annual basis. Otherwise, there is no warranty, similar to a car.

I would only enter into a maintenance contract with a company that I know and consider to be reliable and professionally competent.
I believe, in our case, the technician was there for about half an hour. Dusting usually takes less than 20 minutes, so he probably did other tasks as well, such as checking seals. Yes, most of the maintenance involves inspections, and you can be thankful if nothing is defective, so that the specialist company does not charge a higher invoice.

Obstlerbaum schrieb:
Of course, you can refill the water yourself using tap water. What kind of isotonic miracle drink did your plumber want to use?

When the system was filled back then, the plumber used a water cartridge... I found the following about this:

"....For these reasons, manufacturers of heating systems require low-salt, alkaline water that complies with the specifications of VDI 2035....."

ypg schrieb:
Yes, maintenance should be carried out regularly every year. Otherwise, there is no warranty. Like with a car.

I would only sign a maintenance contract with a company I know and consider reliable and professionally competent.
I think the technician was here for half an hour. Dusting takes less than 20 minutes, so he probably did some other tasks, like checking seals, etc. Yes, most of a maintenance visit is just an inspection, and you can be lucky if nothing is defective and the specialist company charges a higher bill.

This is a new build, and we previously rented, so I have no experience with plumbing companies in our area. I asked around among acquaintances and trusted their experience.

And the situation with maintenance contracts and pricing seems to be the same with all companies in our region...

Hello,

we have had many threads here where people wondered about the 100 million kWh consumption.

Do you go to the dentist for preventive checkups?

Do you have your car inspected?

Then just get it done. Often, filters need to be replaced, and it's common to round up to full hourly rates. He also had travel time.

That also results in a significant amount (!) of white combustion residues, which are knocked out as powder, and various wear parts are periodically replaced as a precaution.