Heating

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Choosing a Gas Safe Engineer - What You Need to Know

14th January 2022

If your boiler breaks down, you will want to find a boiler specialist - here’s what you need to know about getting the right Gas Safe engineer to do the job.

It’s the time of year when our boilers are working hardest, so it makes sense that it is also the time of year that they are most likely to break down. If your boiler breaks down, you will want to find a boiler specialist – fast. It is critical that you find an engineer that you can trust, and who is gas safe. Here’s what you need to know about getting the right gas safe engineer to do the job.

So, what is the Gas Safe Register?

With so many different registers and accreditations, it can be confusing to tell the difference between certificates that show good practice and certification that is compulsory. Gas Safe Registration is compulsory, which means that all works have to be signed off by a registered engineer before they can be deemed as safe. Formerly known as CORGI, the Gas Safe Register is the official body for gas registration in the UK, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. It is a legal requirement for all gas engineers to be listed on the Gas Safe Register, which runs on behalf of the health and safety authority for each relevant area – Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. As well as being a central register for approved gas engineers, it investigates potential illegal and unsafe gas work.

Does Gas Safe registration mean an engineer can do any work?

Not all Gas Safe engineers are permitted to carry out all gas works. Some engineers can carry out the minimum work: “Pipework” while others are qualified to undertake a range of different gas works. The work that an engineer is permitted to do will be on the back of their Gas Safe ID card. If in doubt, you can enter the engineer’s unique licence number into the register’s engineer checking service to see what they are able to undertake safely.

What kind of work will a Gas Safe registered engineer do?

Most work involving gas must be done by a gas safe engineer. This includes any work with heating appliances that use natural or LPG gas, installing, repairing or servicing a gas boiler, gas fire, gas cooker or gas hob.

How do I know that an engineer is gas safe?

Finding a gas safe registered engineer is easy on Trust A Trader as we vet all of our applicants before they can be added to our register. This means that every gas engineer listed in our directory is appropriately insured, qualified and, of course, Gas Safe Registered. When your engineer arrives at your home, ask to see their Gas Safe Register ID. If your gas work is part of a bigger project, for example an extension, renovation or new kitchen, confirm with your builder or project manager that they will be using a gas safe engineer.

At Trust A Trader we are committed to keeping our customers safe while helping to protect the valued reputations of reliable traders. Join our community on Facebook or Twitter for more guidance.

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Looking for more heating advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common heating questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What is the difference between a combi boiler and a system boiler?

A combi heats water straight from the mains on demand - no cylinder needed, which makes it compact and ideal for smaller homes or flats. A system boiler works with a hot water cylinder, storing a ready supply that can serve multiple taps or showers at once without the pressure dropping - better for larger homes with more bathrooms. There's also the conventional boiler, which needs both a cylinder and a cold water tank in the loft - common in older properties. A heating engineer can help you figure out which suits your home best.
Is an air source heat pump right for my home?

Heat pumps pull warmth from the outside air (even when it's cold) and use it to heat your home and hot water. They work best in well-insulated homes, ideally with underfloor heating or larger radiators that work well at lower temperatures. In draughty or poorly insulated properties, the benefits are more limited. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers a grant of up to £7,500 towards installation, so it's worth getting a professional assessment to see whether your home is a good fit before committing.
How often should a boiler be serviced?

Once a year, by a Gas Safe registered engineer. It keeps the boiler running safely, catches small issues before they become expensive, and is usually a condition of the manufacturer's warranty. Some home insurance policies require proof of regular servicing too. If you're not sure when yours was last done, book one before winter - better to find out before you're sitting in a cold house!
Why is my radiator cold at the top but warm at the bottom?

This issue is almost always trapped air. Bleeding the radiator - using a radiator key to release the air - usually sorts it, and it's one of the few heating jobs you can safely do yourself. If bleeding it doesn't work, or if several radiators are having the same problem, it might be a pressure or pump issue. Worth getting a heating engineer in to have a look.
What are the signs my boiler needs replacing?

Keep an eye out for: frequent breakdowns, energy bills going up without using more heat, unusual noises (banging, kettling, or whistling), a flame that's yellow or orange instead of blue, and any visible leaks or rust around the unit. If your boiler is over fifteen years old and ticking any of those boxes, replacing it is usually the more economical choice - modern boilers are significantly more efficient.
Is underfloor heating worth it and do I need a professional to install it?

For a new build or a big renovation, underfloor heating is often a great investment - it heats rooms more evenly than radiators and can be more efficient, especially alongside a heat pump. Retrofitting in an existing home is more of a job, and how worthwhile it is depends on your floor types and how much disruption you're happy to deal with. Either way - wet or electric - it has to be installed by a qualified professional.
Why does my boiler keep losing pressure?

Some pressure drop over time is normal, but if you're topping it up regularly there's usually a cause: a small leak in the system (which isn't always easy to spot), a pressure relief valve that's releasing water, or air in the system after bleeding radiators. Topping it up via the filling loop is fine as a short-term fix, but if you're doing it more than a couple of times a year, it's worth getting an engineer to look into why it keeps happening.

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