What do heating services actually include?

If your radiators are slow to heat, your bills keep climbing, or your boiler throws up mystery error codes, it’s time to get familiar with heating services. This guide breaks down what’s included, when to book help, and how Pritchards Plumbing keeps home heating safe, efficient, and reliable year-round.

Heating services cover four pillars:

1. Installation – fitting new boilers, cylinders, pumps, controls, and radiators, plus pipework and system design.
2. Servicing – annual safety checks, efficiency tuning, and early-warning diagnostics.
3. Repairs – fault-finding and fixing leaks, breakdowns, and control issues.
4. Upgrades – smarter controls, cleaner pipes, better emitters, and boilers that use less energy.

At Pritchards Plumbing, we handle the lot, so you’re not chasing multiple trades.

Installation: getting the right system, fitted right

A good install does three things: it’s sized correctly, it’s laid out for even heat, and it’s built for easy maintenance later.

• Boilers: We match boiler output to your property, hot-water demand, and insulation levels. Oversized units short-cycle and waste energy; undersized units struggle in cold snaps. If you’re planning an upgrade, see our Heating Installation page for what’s included, typical timelines, and warranty details.
• Cylinders & pumps: Unvented cylinders improve hot-water performance; variable-speed pumps cut running costs and noise.
• Controls: Programmable room stats and smart TRVs let you heat spaces only when needed.
• Radiators & pipework: Correct pipe sizing and balancing stop “hot upstairs, cold downstairs” headaches.

A clean, well-commissioned install sets the stage for lower bills and fewer call-outs.

Servicing: small appointment, big payoff

An annual boiler service is the simplest way to protect your home heating:

• Safety checks: Flue integrity, gas pressures, and combustion are verified by qualified engineers.
• Efficiency tune: We check the expansion vessels, clean the condensate traps, and make sure the settings are right so that the boiler condenses properly.
• Reliability: Catching worn seals, sludge buildup, or sensor drift early prevents mid-winter breakdowns.

Ready to book? Check out our boiler replacement FAQs.

Repairs: common faults and how we fix them

Even a well-looked-after system can fail. Typical problems we see:

• No heat or hot water: Could be airlocks, pump failure, diverter valves, or control faults.
• Pressure drops: Often a leak, PRV issue, or expansion vessel problem.
• Kettling or banging pipes: Usually, limescale or sludge is restricting flow.
• Cold radiators (top or bottom): Air in the system or magnetite buildup.

Our engineers diagnose methodically, starting with controls and sensors, then flow and combustion, so we replace the right part the first time. If it’s urgent, call our emergency plumbing line; we prioritise no-heat, no-hot-water, and vulnerable households.

Safety first: use qualified engineers

Gas work must be done by Gas Safe-registered engineers, full stop. It protects your warranty, your insurance, and your family. You can check an engineer’s ID on the Gas Safe Register before any work begins.

What to expect when you book with Pritchards

1. Straightforward quote: We confirm scope, parts, and labour, no vague line items.
2. On-time arrival: We turn up ready to work, shoe covers on, dust sheets down.
3. Clear communication: We explain findings, options, and costs in plain English.
4. Quality parts: We fit trusted brands and honour manufacturer warranties.
5. Follow-up: You’ll get service reminders and simple guidance to keep things running smoothly.

If your boiler is on its last legs, we’ll be honest about repair vs. replace. If a small adjustment will do, we’ll say that too.

Quick wins to get more from your home heating

• Set flow temperatures sensibly: Lowering the boiler’s flow temp (while still keeping rooms comfortable) helps the boiler condense more and use less gas.
• Bleed and balance radiators: Air and imbalance waste energy. We can balance the system after a service or cleanse.
• Use schedules and zones: Heat the rooms you use when you use them.
• Mind the water pressure: Combi systems typically like 1.0-1.5 bar when cold; call us if it keeps dropping.
• Keep vents and radiators clear: Blocked emitters can’t do their job.

These Articles May Also Interest You:

Are Heating Pumps Really Worth It? A 2025 Guide

The Future of Home Heating: A Guide to Hydrogen Boilers

Energy-Efficient Heating Options: The Smart Choice for Commercial Properties

Ready to sort your heating?

Whether you need a brand-new system, a simple service, or same-day help, Pritchards Plumbing has you covered. Start here:

• Heating Installation – design, sizing, and fitting done right.
• Boiler Servicing – safety and efficiency in one annual visit.
• Emergency Call-Outs – rapid response when heat or hot water fails.

Have a question about your system? Send us a photo of your boiler sticker and radiators, and we’ll point you in the right direction. That’s what local heating services should feel like: clear, honest, and focused on better home heating.