Neil Saunders, Sales & Marketing Director at Vokèra by Riello, Global Comfort Solutions Europe, Carrier, takes a look at what installers need to know about non-orginial spares:
The cost-of-living crisis will lead many of us to try to save money where we can, but that should not extend to buying non-original or refurbished components when it comes to boiler repairs. Installing non-original spare parts that have not been subjected to the same, strict certification process as the original component carries a very real safety risk. This is due to the ‘swapping out’ of non-like-for-like products, altering a boiler’s specification which can create additional costly outcomes.
Inevitably, through component wear and tear, a boiler will need maintaining from time to time. In these financially challenging times, a costly repair process is the last thing a homeowner needs. So, what’s the more financially-friendly alternative? While service prices of a skill engineer are fixed, is there savings from sourcing a spare part that is reconditioned or different from the original boiler component? In both the short and long-term, the answer to that question is an unequivocal, ‘No’. Householders and heating engineers could pay a much higher price later for swapping out original boiler components for cheaper alternatives during repairs.
Risk and responsibility
As a heating engineer, you take the responsibility of safety and performance when it comes to the boiler repair. Therefore, you’re taking ownership of a replacement component’s selection and how it’s installed. If a second-hand or non-original part is fitted in place of one specifically designed for the boiler being repaired, the risk of safety issues and further maintenance increases.
As most Gas Safe engineers know, fitting a boiler with a refurbished or non-original spare alters a system’s specification. In fact, Gas Safety in Use regulations state that original specification products should only be used in boiler repairs. This is because the boiler manufacturer’s replacement parts have gone through the same testing regime as their predecessor. It’s like a jigsaw – a replacement component should be of precise fit and function for a particular boiler model to perform as it should. Any difference, however slight, risks impeding a system’s safety and reliability.
Pressure to ‘swap out’
The temptation to specify cheaper component boiler parts when it comes to repairs is very real. And who could blame customers, many of whom may be feeling the financial pinch due to the current cost-of-living crisis, for applying a little pressure on their heating engineer to seek out spares that suit their budget but are not necessarily right for their boiler? But engineers, however difficult the decision might be, must stand firm. Each time a heating engineer carries out a repair, they put their reputation on the line. Ostensibly, ensuring a like-for-like replacement is fitted during refurbishment is a question of a service person doing the right thing for themselves and the customer.
Common sense also plays a part in selecting original spares for boiler repairs. Yes, a non-original part might carry a limited warranty, but can you be certain of how well it’s been tested? Is the firmware version the same? Highly unlikely. Furthermore, a component such as a pressure relief valve might look the same as its original counterpart, but will it function the same? Either way, the boiler’s specification will be changed, which will not only adversely affect any remaining manufacturer’s warranty, moreover the appliance will not operate as it was designed to at the point of installation.
It is also fair to say that reconditioned boiler parts negatively impact the environment, as well as a customer’s monthly outgoings. Installing a reconditioned pump or a flow switch on a boiler could actually damage a heating system’s performance. This is not only in respect of its capability for heating and hot water delivery, but also in terms of energy use in the form of increased electricity consumption.
Really, there is no excuse for replacing original boiler parts for inferior alternatives in relation to repairs. It’s malpractice in which ultimately, there are no winners. The only way to ensure a boiler repair is safe and reliable is to use an original, affordable spare part. It is also the most cost-effective repair strategy, as it will help increase the system’s lifespan and reduce the need for repeat maintenance.
