Has your boiler had its check?

OWNERS of boilers are meant, by law, to get them checked and adjusted by a professional each year, who should give a certificate to be kept for two years.

This concerns gas, solid or liquid fuel ones with a power from 4 - 400kw.

Insurers will ask to see the certificate in the case of a boiler accident and adjustment makes sure it is working efficiently and safely.

You can find a chauffagiste accredited by the Associa-tion Française du Bâtiment at www.ffbatiment.fr

Click on rechercher une enterprise, then pick bâtiment and then chauffage and put your department number in. The service costs about e80 upwards for a one-off, though firms often offer ongoing maintenance contracts which can be more cost-effective.

You should also get the boiler flue cleaned out once a year, which is usually on top of the basic service and check (ramonage de la cheminée).