How Often Should You Service Your Gas Heater?

Most people only think about their gas heater when it stops working. The trouble is that a heater can look and sound perfectly fine while quietly running inefficiently – or worse, leaking carbon monoxide into the house. A regular service sorts both problems out before they become expensive or dangerous.

How often is often enough?

Energy Safe Victoria recommends having gas heaters checked by a qualified technician at least every two years. In practice, we suggest a yearly service for ducted heaters and space heaters that get used hard through a Bendigo winter, and every two years for units that only run occasionally. If your home has an open-flued heater – the type that draws air from inside the room – annual checks are the safer choice.

Why it matters

There are three good reasons to keep up with servicing. The first is safety: a cracked heat exchanger or blocked flue can allow carbon monoxide into your living space, and you can't see or smell it. The second is running costs – a heater with dirty burners and a clogged filter burns more gas for less warmth. The third is your warranty. Most manufacturers expect proof of regular servicing if you ever need to make a claim.

What a service actually includes

A proper gas heater service is more than a quick look and a vacuum. We check and clean the burners, inspect the heat exchanger for cracks or corrosion, test the flue and its seals, clean or replace filters, check gas pressure and the ignition system, test the safety cut-outs, and finish with a carbon monoxide test using a calibrated meter. You should get a clear rundown of what was found and anything that needs watching.

Signs your service is overdue

Book sooner rather than later if you notice a yellow or lazy flame instead of a crisp blue one, soot marks around the heater, a musty or burning smell that doesn't clear after 10 minutes, more condensation than usual on the windows when the heater runs, or headaches and nausea that ease when you go outside. That last one is the important one – turn the heater off, open the windows and call for help.

Book before the rush

Autumn is the ideal time. Once the first cold snap hits Bendigo, service bookings fill fast and nobody wants to wait a week with no heat. Getting it done in March or April means small faults get fixed while there's still time.

Need a hand?

We're a local Bendigo team and we're happy to take a look. Give us a call on (03) 5444 4677 for honest advice and a free quote.