Survey: Up to 40 percent of Czech households neglect regular boiler servicing

As many as 40 percent of Czech households neglect annual servicing of gas boilers, with 14 percent not having them inspected at all. Frequent failure to carry out mandatory checks of flues and chimneys is also a problem. This is according to a survey by IPSOS for energy company E.ON. It found that many people are not sufficiently aware of the safety risks associated with neglecting inspections.

Experts say regular servicing of boilers and so-called flue systems—that is, flues and chimneys—is important for safety and for keeping heating and hot water costs down. The risk of breakdowns and unnecessary expenses rises as the heating season approaches, the survey’s authors warned.

According to the survey, which 1051 respondents took part in during the first half of September, 60 percent of households in Czechia have their gas appliances serviced every year. Fourteen percent of people neglect inspections. Irregular checks are significantly more common among younger people than among those nearing retirement.

"Irregular boiler servicing can not only reduce the efficiency of the appliance, but also increase safety risks—especially the risk of fire, explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning. Neglecting inspections can also affect insurance payouts in the event of an accident," said E.

ON’s head of energy solutions for households, Lukáš Paur.

The survey also found that many people are not very familiar with the safety risks associated with neglecting inspections. Around six in ten are aware of them. Nearly half of respondents worry that an accident could result in a reduced insurance payout or the loss of cover. Around 29 percent of respondents also listed a fine from the authorities as a possible risk, although there is no such fine for gas boiler inspections.

Another focus of the survey was compliance with annual inspections of flue systems, which property owners are legally required to have. Seventy percent of respondents are aware of this, while 51 percent comply with the requirement. Nearly 30 percent of owners have an inspection every two years or occasionally forget to arrange one, and one-fifth do not have inspections at all.

"Inspections of flue systems are required by law, but many people either do not realise this or do not have a system for keeping track of the dates," Paur said.

According to the survey, university graduates are more likely to be aware of the requirement (74 percent) than people with primary education (52 percent). The share of inspections carried out is lower in large cities than in smaller municipalities.

In connection with compliance with inspection requirements, E.ON noted that suppliers can keep track of inspections and servicing for their customers. According to the survey, 26 percent of people use this service. A third of respondents are unaware of these services, 29 percent prefer to use their own technician, and 14 percent choose a cheaper tariff without additional services.