Gas Ducted Heater Servicing Explained: What It Is, When to Book, and What It Costs
Not sure what to expect with gas ducted heater servicing? Don’t stress.
Gas ducted heating is one of the most reliable heating systems, but that doesn’t mean it can be ignored.
This guide is for you if you’ve recently installed a new system, are concerned about its performance, or are simply due for a check-up.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about servicing, including what’s involved, how much it costs, when to book, and why it matters.
Key Takeaways
- You should service your gas heater every 1 to 2 years, ideally before winter.
- A proper service checks everything from carbon monoxide levels to airflow and ductwork.
- Only licenced professionals can legally and safely service internal parts
- In Melbourne, a gas heater service typically costs around $350 plus GST.
Contents
What Is Gas Heater Servicing?
When hiring a professional to perform gas ducted heater servicing, you can expect a standard set of servicing tasks.
This includes:
- Inspecting and cleaning the burner and heat exchanger
- Checking for gas leaks and carbon monoxide levels
- Testing the thermostat and safety controls
- Inspecting ductwork for blockages or damage
- Ensuring efficient airflow and proper combustion
- Checking the fan motor, flue, and ignition system
At Thomas Air Conditioning, we undertake a comprehensive gas ducted heater service, considered the gold standard of servicing, aimed at optimising performance and catching issues early.
Our certified technicians perform carbon monoxide testing, as well as an overall assessment of every working component to evaluate the system’s lifespan.
Why It’s Different from a DIY Clean
We encourage all people to perform regular check-ups on their heating system, but don’t think of this as a replacement for professional gas ducted heater servicing.
This is because you won’t be able to safely and legally access internal parts.
You risk damaging your system and/or hurting yourself in the process.
What you can do at home:
| Task | Can You Do It Yourself? | Do You Need a Licenced Professional? | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wipe down the outside of the unit | Yes | No | It’s totally fine to dust and wipe the outer casing regularly. |
| Vacuum the return air filter | Yes (if it’s easy to access) | No | Many systems have a filter you can vacuum. Just follow the manual. |
| Clean around vents and ducts | Yes | No | Keeping vents clear helps airflow and improves efficiency. |
| Open the unit to look inside | No | Yes | Only a qualified technician should open the heater casing. |
| Clean burners or internal parts | No | Yes | Internal parts need careful handling and proper testing. |
| Check or touch any gas connections | No | Yes | Gas work must always be done by a licenced professional. |
| Test for carbon monoxide | No | Yes | Only a professional can test for CO safely and accurately. |
| Run a full safety check | No | Yes | This includes checking for leaks, pressure issues, and more. |
| Service the heater (every 2 years) | No | Yes | Book a licenced HVAC professional for a full inspection and service. |
Essentially to be able to do anything meaningful, you’ll need a technician to inspect and evaluate the system.
If you’re unsure about anything, get in contact with a licenced technician.
Why Is Gas Heater Servicing Important?
If you’ve stumbled across this article, and it’s been several years since your last service, you might be thinking, what’s the point?
Well count your blessings,
Just because you haven’t taken care of your ducted heater, doesn’t mean that it’s performing optimally or parts aren’t failing.
A gas ducted heater that would normally last 20 years can have its lifespan halved with a few years without servicing.
Efficiency, Performance & Lower Bills
With prices going up year on year, the same happens when you ignore servicing a gas heater.
Every year that you skip your heater service, it’s costing you more for worse performance.
This is because professional servicing inspects every working part and mechanism to find inefficiencies and problems.
If there’s an issue with the air filtration system, or the thermostat causing the system to overwork, we’ll find it.
Here you can find the approximate impact of not servicing your ducted heater over 10 years.
Safety: The Carbon Monoxide Risk
Known as the silent killer; Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is something to take seriously.
Being a colourless and odourless gas, only a licenced technician has the certified equipment and knowledge to find carbon monoxide.
It’s always a good idea to have CO alarms in your home.
Residents can’t find and detect gas leaks, so hire a professional to check gas connections, as well as CO level testing.
Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a real risk that you need to look out for.
Common symptoms that you’ve been poisoned include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
If you’ve had a very high level of exposure to carbon monoxide you could lose consciousness, and in worst cases die.
System Longevity and Manufacturer Warranties
It’s not ideal to be replacing your system frequently, as this is a large upfront cost.
Those small issues that aren’t found now, are often the reason for a system breakdown that leads to a ducted heating replacement.
To get 20+ years out of your ducted heater consider servicing, just like your car needs a service, you need to provide love to your gas heater.
Many manufacturers also require a certain amount of servicing to activate the warranty so make it a habit.
How Often Should You Service a Gas Heater?
You’re not wrong for wondering this.
Our recommendation is to service your gas heater once every year.
After a few harsh winters, your heater can take a beating, putting extra strain on components, so it’s best to have a technician service the system every year.
General Recommendation for Melbourne Homes
After 2 years of without servicing, we find that a few parts have failed and require replacement which is usually more than the cost of a service every year.
The maximum you should leave your heater without being serviced is 2 years.
This aligns with energy-safe Victoria’s recommendations.
So for safety and efficiency, every year or two will be sufficient to keep your system running well.
Seasonal Tips
Now you know how often you should service a gas heater, but when during the year is the best?
Because winter is too tough on the system, we recommend servicing before winter during the April-June period.
This allows your HVAC technician to find issues and ensure the smooth running of the heater before Winter.
If a part failure goes undetected through Winter, that could cause an unwanted, costly system breakdown.
Signs Your Gas Heater Needs Servicing
It’s important to be an informed gas heater owner.
If you can spot some of these early warning signs, it can mean that a certified professional has an easier time identifying and resolving any issues.
These are the most common signs your heater needs servicing:
- Bills going up
- Gas smells
- Airflow is not normal
- Dirty vents
- Not heating
If your Carbon Monoxide alarm goes off, turn off the system, step away, and contact a licenced technician to inspect the issue.
How Much Does Gas Heater Servicing Cost?
The typical gas heater servicing cost is $200-$500 in Australia.
The cost of a gas heater service has gone up in recent years as manufacturers have significantly raised their prices.
Anything outside these figures for a service, not considering parts, should make you sceptical of the company.
We always aim to provide quality work without breaking the bank.
What Factors Affect the Cost?
There are times when something is wrong causing the price to be higher than normal.
These factors will affect the cost of your next heating service:
- Call-out fee
- Hourly rate
- Quality of work
- Presence of issues
- Frequency of service
- Age of system
The most important factor impacting the cost of a gas heater service is whether parts need replacement.
To avoid a surprise, you should plan a yearly service, especially as your system ages.
Typical Pricing in Melbourne
In Melbourne, Australia you can expect to pay around $350+ GST as a starting cost.
Need an accurate quote? Book a gas ducted heater service with our HVAC professionals and we’ll inspect your system and give you a clear, upfront cost.
Why Choose a Licensed Technician for Gas Heater Servicing?
For starters, it’s a legal requirement to have a licenced technician conduct a service on your gas heater.
Not all technicians are created equal.
When undertaking your search for a registered technician, ensure high-quality Google reviews.
If the HVAC team you’re considering has a 4.5-star average rating then this is a good start.
Our team has countless 5-star reviews and is known for a high level of detail.
What Certifications to Look For
There are some crucial certifications that any HVAC technician should have that indicate a superior level of expertise.
- VBA Registered & Licenced.
Our team possesses all of these certifications, meaning we meet the highest standards of heating and cooling in Australia.
Always ask your technician for these before working with them.
If they don’t have them then, move on as you can’t sacrifice health & safety.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions to a service provider.
Here are some valuable questions you can ask a prospective technician:
- Do you have a workmanship guarantee?
- How much does servicing a gas heater cost?
- Can you come look at my system today?
- Will you check the system for dangerous gas leaks?
Is Gas Heater Servicing Worth It?
Out of all heating and cooling systems, gas ducted heating is the most important system to service.
Due to the potential for safety issues, and legal requirements, it’s a must.
Ensure that your system remains at an operational level that you’re happy with by organising a service prior to winter.
Our team at Thomas Air Conditioning has been servicing gas ducted heaters for decades, we go above and beyond for our clients.
If it’s been a while or you want to optimise your heating, book a service today.