Gas appliances, after installation, become part of the house and tend to be neglected and forgotten until something goes wrong or they stop working as they should. Like other machines, gas appliances become inefficient, unreliable and may even pose a safety hazard if not serviced regularly.

'For Safety's Sake', get it serviced!

To maintain their safe use and condition, appliances require regular servicing by trained competent servicing agents/licensed gas fitters.  Common problems where appliances are not regularly serviced are:

• Air filters, air ways, fans and burners can become blocked by lint and dust, leading to overheating and burner problems which can produce carbon monoxide.
• Safety controls can wear out and fail.

Always follow the manufacturer's service plan and note the date of service on the service sticker.

When to service

Manufacturers recommend service periods for their appliances and these should be observed.

Generally, it is recommended that appliances are serviced at least every two years.  If the appliance is more than 10 years old, they should be serviced annually.

Follow instructions

Appliance manufacturers are required to provide 'how-to-use' instructions with their products.  Always check that the instructions are provided and always read and follow the instructions before checking the appliance.

Preparing gas appliances for winter

Most gas appliances are used more during periods of cold weather. Checking appliances before the cooler weather arrives ensures that all your gas appliances are in good working order and you will be able to enjoy a warm and safe winter while reducing your gas bills.

Gas space heaters may not have been used since the last winter. To get the most from heaters, the following should be done in preparation for winter:

• Check the service sticker on the appliance, is it due for a service? Call a licensed gas fitter or service agent.
• When using a flueless heater, make sure that the room is adequately ventilated.
• Make sure that permanent ventilation openings are not blocked.
• Check flues are not blocked or obstructed.
• Make sure that roof insulation is not obstructing a heater in the roof space.
• Check the outer case of your space heater. Is it discoloured? Discolouration is an indication of a faulty flue and that it is time to have it checked by a licensed gas fitter.
• If you have difficulty re-lighting the gas appliance, call a licensed gas fitter or service agent.
• Check the heater - a yellow flame can indicate that your heater is not running correctly and needs servicing.