#LifeInCzechia There is nothing like stepping into the warmth of your home after being outside in the cold weather. Does your household have a boiler? Then do not forget about regular boiler checks required by the law. It might not be automatically taken care of by the landlord. What do you need to do?
What is the difference between servicing and checks?
Legal framework
Do you have a gas or solid fuel boiler? You are legally obliged to carry out regular inspections or checks of the technical condition and operation of your heating equipment. The obligation applies to boilers with an input of 10 kW – 300 kW that are connected to radiators.
They mainly consist of adjusting and cleaning the boiler. The checks should only be carried out by a qualified person with a certificate from the Technical Inspection of the Czech Republic (TIČR).
Adhering to these regulations not only ensures the well-being of inhabitants but also prevents potential hazards associated with malfunctioning boilers.
Checks vs. servicing
Many people mistake these two. What is the difference?
Checks – a legal obligation in most countries and regions for all gas boilers. It is a regular and systematic check carried out by a qualified technician or authorized service agent.
Servicing – a preventative measure not to be taken lightly. It can increase the efficiency of your heating system and prevent any ailments that could arise from the boiler and endanger your health – for example, carbon monoxide leaks.
How often?
According to the law, the check is obligatory every 3 years without exceptions.
Do not mistake it for a servicing period – it can vary according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. However, those are not obligatory.
There are different requirements for boilers in a family house.
What is the process like?
During the inspection, the expert will carry out a thorough check of all key parts of the boiler, for example: combustion chambers, pressure systems, and safety valves. In the case of solid fuel boilers, the inspector checks the control unit, fuel storage, and verifies if proper fuel is used.
Measurements of the boiler’s performance and efficiency are also taken. Lastly, the technician checks that the equipment meets current safety standards.
Note – Do you live in a family house?
In addition to boilers, chimneys or flues should also be checked. For solid fuel boilers with a capacity of up to 50 kW (family houses), it is obligatory to clean the chimneys three times a year. If you only use the boiler seasonally, then it is twice a year.
For gas boilers, it is a legal obligation to inspect and clean the flues once a year. Note that these checks are carried out by a chimney sweep, not a service engineer.
Do you get a confirmation of the inspection?
After the check, you receive an inspection report. It serves as proof that you have actually fulfilled your legal obligation. Keep this document carefully – you will need it for your insurance company in the event of an accident.
In addition, it can be useful when it comes to arranging insurance – many insurance companies require a regular inspection as one of their conditions.
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Source: Kurzy.cz, PR.dennik.cz, SPP
