I would like to service my Ariston Micro Genus boiler. Can I do it myself?

Michael, December 2009

Well said Ian - but Gas Safe Registered engineers are just subject to the regulations - they are not necessarily experts on them. The Regulations are in the public domain and as such are open to interpretation by all - they are not the exclusive domain of the registered.

The Regs are sensible and promote safety... it will be cheaper and safer as you rightly say... but it's not illegal if he does it himself.

Unqualified Muppet, December 2009

yes, if you have the tools for the job i.e. multimeter, manometer, flue gas analyser and are qualified & know how to use them, but i'm guessing you don't. get a qualified engineer in to do it, it'll be cheaper and safer. the gas safety regs are there to protect people and are not open to interpretaion by unqualified muppets on internet forums.

Ian, December 2009

There are people on here - well meaning I'm sure - who will tell you that to service your own boiler is illegal and insist that you must be Gas Safe Registered to comply with the law to undertake this. They are wrong...

You must be Gas Safe Registered to accept payment for work on gas appliances but a householder only needs to be competent and the regulations do not define competence. Landlords doing own maintenance do break the law unless thay can provide a safety inspection document from a qualified specialist - an annual requirement.

This Wikipedia article helps understanding...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_Safety_(Installation_and_Use)_Regulations_1998

And the The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) regulations 1998 can be found here...

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1998/98245102.htm#1

As for the wisdom of doing your own service that is entirely another matter - it won't cost much to have a specialist do it - you can watch and take notes and do it yourself next time perhaps.

Good luck...

Peccavi, December 2009