Data reveals the day your boiler is most likely to break down
- Meghan Blumsum
- Oct 31, 2024
- 5 min read
Key findings:
Sunday 15th December is when your boiler is most at risk of breaking down this year
Saturdays are the most common days for a boiler repair call overall
An annual boiler service can put you back £1001 on average
A third (33%) of Brits admitted to turning on their heating by mid-September. With this in mind, it's vital that homeowners are prepared for when and how their boilers may break down over the coming weeks.
The experts at Confused.com Energy are here to help. They’ve analysed years of search data for terms like “boiler emergency,” “boiler repair” and “boiler fix” to uncover which day your boiler is predicted to break down. They’ve also given tips on how to keep your boiler in working order.
The experts at Confused.com Energy commented:
“Turning the heating back on in winter exposes underlying issues that can restrict a boiler’s performance. For example, wear and tear, frozen pipes or condensation.
“Maintenance and regular care are key for a happy boiler. “And with December being the most popular month for boiler repairs, it’s a good idea to have your boiler checked, repaired or replaced before winter. This is because there might be a demand for repairs as the temperature drops, and as a result, higher prices.”
When is your boiler most likely to break down?
Rank | Boiler breakdown date | Search popularity (%) |
1 | 15/12 | 37.86% |
2 | 16/12 | 32.60% |
3 | 01/12 | 28.86% |
4 | 17/12 | 27.20% |
4 | 4/12 | 25.80% |
6 | 10/11 | 25.13% |
7 | 14/12 | 25.06% |
8 | 02/12 | 24.93% |
9 | 30/11 | 23.33% |
10 | 03/12 | 23.00% |
To access the full dataset, view here.
According to Confused.com Energy research, 15th December comes out as the most likely date for boiler breakdowns in the UK. On this date, lots of people searched for different terms relating to boiler issues. This was a peak time for these terms across a five-year period. These terms had a search popularity score of 37.86% overall. This suggests that almost two out of every five homeowners had experienced issues with their boiler on this date the most.
Although this important date falls on a Sunday, Saturdays are the most common day for boiler repair call-outs. In fact, 18 Saturdays feature in the all-time top 25 dates between 2020 to 2023, with an average increase in searches by 8.81% on Saturdays alone.
Average boiler service charge:
Type of boiler | Unit | Cost + VAT | Average cost |
Gas | One-off service cost | £80 - £120 | £100 |
Oil | One-off service cost | £75 - £110 | £92.50 |
Electric Combi | One-off service cost | £70 - £110 | £90 |
Commercial | Minimum call out fee | - | £95 |
On average an annual boiler service would cost £1001, but could range anywhere between £80 and £120 in general. With the festive season coming up, saving as many pennies as possible may be crucial for some households.
Servicing your boiler every year can help bring the bills down while still enjoying the warmth of your home. Your boiler should be running more efficiently after a service and the lifespan will likely improve. This could prevent larger payouts for a brand new boiler this winter. Here are some other easy tips and tricks to ensure your boiler stays ticking:
Five tips to a healthy boiler:
Pressure top up
It is extremely important to check your boiler’s pressure levels before turning it back on for the colder months. You can do this by checking the gauge. It should read around 1.5 bar if the pressure is at a steady and healthy state.
You should check the pressure at least once a month. While the pressure does fluctuate depending on the water temperature, you may need to take action if it falls below one bar. This means there is a chance that water has been lost from the system and will need replacing. If the pressure stands above 2.75 bar, you can bring this down by bleeding your radiators.
Remember to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific guidance on performing this task. It’s advised to only do so if you're comfortable, otherwise seek professional help.
Upgrade your insulation
Whilst paying out for upgrades can be costly, a cheap alternative is to cover your central heating pipes with easy-to-fit foam tubes that don’t lose heat. This can stop your boiler from working hard and in turn, save money on heating.
Insulating the pipes will keep your water warmer for longer, and you can buy the lagging at most DIY stores for as little as £1.20.
Install a smart thermostat
Try not to turn your boiler up high when you first switch it on - It might be costly. Most homes flicker between 18 to 21 degrees⁶ on average, and for those wanting a toasty feel this winter, a smart thermostat may be a good investment.
They’re capable of learning your heating preferences, keeping the costs low, and allowing full control over your heating system quickly and efficiently.
Bleed the radiators
A simple task which can improve your heating efficiency and reduce your bills is bleeding the radiators. An easy way to tell if they need to be bled is by checking if the radiator is colder at the top than at the bottom.
By simply releasing trapped air from the heating system by using a bleed key, a cloth and towel, your home can go from feeling like an igloo to a toasty furnace.
Keeping it clean
Regularly keeping your boiler cleaned and maintained is a key way to ensure the appliance is running as smoothly as possible. You should only clean the exterior though - your boiler maintenance person should clear the inside of your boiler during your annual service.
Dust build-up can lead to clogged pipes which can affect the performance of your heating system and result in higher heating bills.
Methodology:
Confused.com sought to find which day of the year was most popular for boiler breakdowns.
Google trends was used to track the daily trend score of different searches related to boilers breaking down. A trend score of 100 marks peak popularity of that time, a score of 50 means it's half as popular as the most popular.
https://towardsdatascience.com/reconstruct-google-trends-daily-data-for-extended-period-75b6ca1d3420
The following terms were searched: Boiler repair, Boiler emergency, Boiler fix
Data spanning across the period of 2019 to 2024 were collected. Data in 2024 was only available up to September.
All searches are for the UK only.
The average of each term for each day was calculated to give an estimate of which days boilers break down the most. The values were sorted and organised by overall, by year, and by weekday.
February 29th has been removed for 2020 and 2024.
All data is accurate as of October 2024.
Sources:
[1] - Checkatrade | How much does a boiler service cost?
[2] - Energy Savings Trust | When should I put my heating on?
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