Regular gas boiler maintenance can save up to €200 per heating season

As cold winter weather sets in, natural gas consumption rises sharply – everyone wants their home to remain warm and comfortable. However, during periods of intensive heating, it is particularly important to ensure that a gas boiler operates efficiently and safely. Regular maintenance under increased consumption conditions is not merely a technical formality – it can reduce gas usage and generate savings of up to €100–200 per heating season, while ensuring safe and reliable operation throughout the colder months.

According to data from energy company Elenger, regular gas boiler maintenance can lower natural gas consumption and result in savings of up to €100–200 per heating season.

Experts from Elenger and heating solutions provider SB Siltumtehnika explain the key benefits of gas boiler maintenance, what homeowners can do themselves, and when professional assistance is required.

Why Is Regular Gas Boiler Maintenance Necessary?

A gas heating boiler is a complex technical device operating at high temperatures and pressure. Over time, dust, soot, and deposits can accumulate inside the unit, reducing the efficiency of the heat exchanger. Sensors, burner nozzles, and the ventilation system may also lose precision. Regular maintenance ensures optimal and safe operation – without unnecessary gas consumption or combustion issues.

“Our experience shows that by servicing a gas boiler at least once a year, a household can save up to 10%, or approximately €100–200, based on average natural gas consumption during the heating season. This represents noticeable savings for a family budget throughout the cold months. Moreover, regular maintenance helps detect wear or defects early, before they lead to costly repairs,” says Dāvis Skulte, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Elenger, the largest private energy company in the Baltic and Finnish region.

“A properly maintained boiler consumes less gas, has a longer service life, and reduces the risk of breakdowns in the middle of winter, when heating is most essential. Taking this into account, I encourage everyone using gas heating to prioritize regular boiler maintenance,” Skulte adds.

What Can Homeowners Do Themselves – and When Is Professional Help Required?

There are several tasks that gas boiler users can perform independently:

• Regularly check system pressure and adjust it if necessary;

• Clean the exterior of the boiler and ventilation openings from dust;

• Monitor for unusual noises, odors, or signs of gas leakage;

• Ensure proper ventilation in the room where the boiler is installed.

However, any internal cleaning, burner adjustment, or diagnostics of automation systems must only be performed by a certified specialist. Non-professional interference may damage the equipment or create safety risks.

What Does Professional Gas Boiler Maintenance Include?

Professional servicing is far more than simply cleaning the boiler, emphasizes SB Siltumtehnika, a leading heating solutions provider in Latvia with more than 30 years of experience in heating and plumbing sales and installation.

Gas boiler maintenance includes a thorough inspection during which specialists:

• Clean the burner and heat exchanger from soot and deposits;

• Check draft and ventilation;

• Test automation and safety systems;

• Inspect gas pressure and combustion parameters;

• Evaluate heat output and efficiency;

• Prepare a technical report on the boiler’s condition.

“We observe that some homeowners only think about servicing their heating equipment when the boiler starts malfunctioning or stops working altogether. However, preventive maintenance is significantly cheaper and safer than emergency repairs. It helps avoid unpleasant surprises during the coldest winter days and prevents households from being left without heating,” explains Jānis Grašs, Heating Department Specialist at SIA SB.

“Even if a gas boiler appears to function perfectly, regular maintenance remains essential. A clean and properly adjusted burner ensures not only lower gas consumption but also cleaner combustion and reduced emissions. Meanwhile, a clogged heat exchanger – the component that transfers heat from combustion gases to the heating system water – or a faulty sensor may lead to excessive consumption and serious safety risks.”

What Are the Risks of Skipping Maintenance?

Failure to perform regular maintenance can result in several issues:

• Increased gas consumption and higher utility bills;

• Reduced heating capacity – insufficient indoor warmth;

• Incomplete combustion, which increases carbon monoxide formation – a highly toxic gas that may accumulate indoors if ventilation is inadequate or the boiler operates in a faulty mode, posing serious poisoning risks;

• Faster component wear and costly repairs;

• Potentially dangerous situations if the gas or ventilation system is damaged.

Annual maintenance is a small investment that ensures safe, efficient, and long-lasting boiler performance. Regular servicing reduces gas consumption and heating costs, extends equipment lifespan, improves safety and heating quality, and contributes to a cleaner environment.

If you notice unusual smells, detect a gas odor, or hear whistling or explosive-type noises, immediately switch off the boiler, close the gas supply, open windows, and contact a certified service specialist. Under no circumstances should you attempt to restart or dismantle the boiler yourself. Regular professional maintenance is the most effective way to prevent hazardous situations.

Elenger recommends servicing gas boilers at least once a year, preferably before the start of the heating season, in cooperation with a trusted certified service provider.