Servicing your natural gas heating system

Looking after your gas appliances

If you own your home or provide accommodation, like a landlord, you're responsible for keeping the natural gas appliances and pipework on your premises safely maintained. Firmus Energy doesn't maintain or repair customer boilers or appliances, but we want to help you stay safe, so here's what's worth knowing.

Book a service every year

Regular servicing keeps your appliances safe, efficient and reliable. Have your boiler and gas appliances serviced each year by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer, in line with the manufacturer's guidelines.

If you're a landlord with gas appliances in your properties, it's your legal responsibility to have them serviced every year and kept in proper working order.

You can find a registered engineer in your area at www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

A few things to remember

• Only buy gas appliances from a reputable supplier, and check they carry the CE mark. Boilers and appliances must only be fitted by a Gas Safe Registered Installer.
• Read the instruction book that comes with each appliance, get to know how it works, and keep the booklet somewhere handy.
• Moving house? Leave the instruction books behind for any appliances you're not taking. Lost a booklet? Ask the appliance supplier for a replacement.
• Keep an eye out for soot, discolouration or yellow flames. These can be signs an appliance isn't working properly. If you spot any of them, call a Gas Safe Registered Engineer straight away.

If something isn't safe

Your engineer will run checks to make sure your appliances are working safely. If anything has been fitted unsafely, or isn't operating safely and can't be fixed on the spot, they'll follow the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) to make things safe. This is the industry's agreed guidance for dealing with unsafe situations.

Firmus care

If you own your home, you may be eligible for a free annual gas safety inspection through firmus care. It's worth checking if you qualify. You'll still need to arrange regular servicing as well, as the free inspection doesn't replace it.