The cost of servicing
An annual boiler service with us: £79. Over 10 years: £790 total.
The cost of not servicing
Boilers that aren't serviced are statistically 3x more likely to need an emergency repair call-out (average £200–£400 per call-out). Even one prevented call-out recoupes 5+ years of service costs.
Efficiency impact
An unserviced boiler loses efficiency through dirty burners and heat exchanger. A 5% efficiency loss costs around £75/year on an average heating bill — equivalent to a full service's cost each year.
Safety
Annual servicing catches carbon monoxide risks from cracked heat exchangers or incomplete combustion. CO kills around 40 people in the UK per year. A £79 service is a small price for this peace of mind.
Warranty
Skipping a service invalidates most manufacturer warranties. A single large repair (e.g., heat exchanger: £400+) that would have been covered under warranty costs far more than years of servicing.
Verdict
Annual service wins on every count: cheaper overall, more efficient, safer, and keeps your warranty valid. No rational argument for skipping it.