Frequently Asked Questions

Got a question about our services, our process or how everything works? We have put together the answers to the questions we hear most often. If you cannot find what you are looking for, get in touch, and we will be happy to help.

1. How do I know if I need a new boiler or just a repair?
This depends on the age, condition and history of your current boiler. As a general rule, if your boiler is over 10 to 12 years old, has broken down more than once in recent years or is costing significantly more to run, replacement is often the more cost-effective option. Our engineers will always give you an honest assessment rather than pushing you towards a new boiler if a repair is genuinely the better route.

2. Which boiler brand do you recommend?
We fit Worcester Bosch, Vaillant and Ideal boilers to suit a range of budgets and requirements. Worcester Bosch is our primary recommendation for most homes, offering market-leading reliability and warranty terms. Vaillant is a strong mid-range option and Ideal provides excellent value at the budget end. Our team will help you choose the right brand and model for your home.

3. How long does a boiler installation take?
Most standard boiler replacements, where we are fitting a like-for-like combi boiler, can be completed within a single day. More complex jobs, such as converting from a regular to a combi boiler or fitting a system boiler with a cylinder, may take longer. We will always give you a clear timescale before we begin.

4. What warranty do I get with a new boiler?
Manufacturer warranties vary by brand and model. Worcester Bosch boilers come with warranties of up to 12 years when fitted by an approved installer and registered correctly. Our team handles the registration for you as part of the installation.

5. Do you offer finance on new boilers?
Yes. We offer flexible finance through Novuna for new Worcester Bosch boiler installations and Phoenix Finance for a range of eligible boiler and heating installations. All finance is subject to status, affordability checks and eligibility.

1. How often should I have my boiler serviced?
Every 12 months. An annual boiler service keeps your heating system safe, maintains efficiency and ensures your manufacturer’s warranty remains valid. It also gives our engineers the chance to spot any minor issues before they become costly problems.

2. Does my boiler need to be serviced to keep the warranty valid?
Yes. Most boiler manufacturers, including Worcester Bosch and Vaillant, require annual servicing by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to keep the warranty in place. Our team meets all the requirements for approved servicing.

3. What does a boiler service include?
Our boiler service covers a full inspection and clean of the key components, flue and combustion analysis, gas pressure checks, safety checks and a written report. We check everything that needs checking and let you know if anything requires attention.

1. What should I do if my boiler breaks down?
Get in touch with our team as soon as possible and let us know what is happening. An error code on the boiler display, if there is one, is always useful information. We will arrange a visit from one of our Gas Safe-registered engineers to carry out a proper diagnosis and get things working again as quickly as we can.

2. Can you repair any brand of boiler?
Our engineers have experience working across a wide range of boiler brands and models. Get in touch, and we can confirm whether we can assist with your specific boiler.

1. What is a powerflush and does my system need one?
A powerflush uses specialist equipment and chemicals to clean the inside of your central heating system, removing sludge, debris and rust that builds up over time. Signs your system may benefit from a powerflush include cold spots on radiators, slow heating, noisy pipework and a boiler that cuts out regularly. Our powerflushing service starts from £500 + VAT, with the final cost depending on the size and type of your system.

1. What is Pettifer Protect?
Pettifer Protect is our own home heating care plan, designed to give you the cover and peace of mind you need throughout the year. We offer three tiers of cover so you can choose the level of protection that suits your home and budget. Full details of each plan and pricing are available on the Pettifer Protect page.

1. Are you Gas Safe registered?
Yes. All our engineers are Gas Safe registered, which is the legally required qualification for anyone carrying out gas work in the UK. You can check our registration on the official Gas Safe Register website.

2. What areas do you cover?
We cover Enfield, Ware, Hertford, Welwyn Garden City and Harlow. If you are unsure whether we cover your location, get in touch and we will let you know.

3. Do you work on commercial properties?
Yes. Alongside our domestic work, we provide commercial plumbing and heating services. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

1. How do I know if I need a new boiler or just a repair?
This depends on the age, condition and history of your current boiler. As a general rule, if your boiler is over 10 to 12 years old, has broken down more than once in recent years or is costing significantly more to run, replacement is often the more cost-effective option. Our engineers will always give you an honest assessment rather than pushing you towards a new boiler if a repair is genuinely the better route.

2. Which boiler brand do you recommend?
We fit Worcester Bosch, Vaillant and Ideal boilers to suit a range of budgets and requirements. Worcester Bosch is our primary recommendation for most homes, offering market-leading reliability and warranty terms. Vaillant is a strong mid-range option and Ideal provides excellent value at the budget end. Our team will help you choose the right brand and model for your home.

3. How long does a boiler installation take?
Most standard boiler replacements, where we are fitting a like-for-like combi boiler, can be completed within a single day. More complex jobs, such as converting from a regular to a combi boiler or fitting a system boiler with a cylinder, may take longer. We will always give you a clear timescale before we begin.

4. What warranty do I get with a new boiler?
Manufacturer warranties vary by brand and model. Worcester Bosch boilers come with warranties of up to 12 years when fitted by an approved installer and registered correctly. Our team handles the registration for you as part of the installation.

5. Do you offer finance on new boilers?
Yes. We offer flexible finance through Novuna for new Worcester Bosch boiler installations and Phoenix Finance for a range of eligible boiler and heating installations. All finance is subject to status, affordability checks and eligibility.

1. How often should I have my boiler serviced?
Every 12 months. An annual boiler service keeps your heating system safe, maintains efficiency and ensures your manufacturer’s warranty remains valid. It also gives our engineers the chance to spot any minor issues before they become costly problems.

2. Does my boiler need to be serviced to keep the warranty valid?
Yes. Most boiler manufacturers, including Worcester Bosch and Vaillant, require annual servicing by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to keep the warranty in place. Our team meets all the requirements for approved servicing.

3. What does a boiler service include?
Our boiler service covers a full inspection and clean of the key components, flue and combustion analysis, gas pressure checks, safety checks and a written report. We check everything that needs checking and let you know if anything requires attention.

1. What should I do if my boiler breaks down?
Get in touch with our team as soon as possible and let us know what is happening. An error code on the boiler display, if there is one, is always useful information. We will arrange a visit from one of our Gas Safe-registered engineers to carry out a proper diagnosis and get things working again as quickly as we can.

2. Can you repair any brand of boiler?
Our engineers have experience working across a wide range of boiler brands and models. Get in touch, and we can confirm whether we can assist with your specific boiler.

1. What is a powerflush, and does my system need one?
A powerflush uses specialist equipment and chemicals to clean the inside of your central heating system, removing sludge, debris and rust that builds up over time. Signs your system may benefit from a powerflush include cold spots on radiators, slow heating, noisy pipework and a boiler that cuts out regularly. Our powerflushing service starts from £500 + VAT, with the final cost depending on the size and type of your system.

1. What is Pettifer Protect?
Pettifer Protect is our own home heating care plan, designed to give you the cover and peace of mind you need throughout the year. We offer three tiers of cover so you can choose the level of protection that suits your home and budget. Full details of each plan and pricing are available on the Pettifer Protect page.

1. Are you Gas Safe registered?
Yes. All our engineers are Gas Safe registered, which is the legally required qualification for anyone carrying out gas work in the UK. You can check our registration on the official Gas Safe Register website.

2. What areas do you cover?
We cover Enfield, Ware, Hertford, Welwyn Garden City and Harlow. If you are unsure whether we cover your location, get in touch and we will let you know.

3. Do you work on commercial properties?
Yes. Alongside our domestic work, we provide commercial plumbing and heating services. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Get in touch with Pettifer Plumbing & Heating if you have a question we have not answered here.

SPEAK TO OUR EXPERTS