11351 Boiler servicing and the law

We bought a small apartment in Venice 4 years ago, only moved in full-time last August and just decided our boiler needs servicing. We are told that we should have a log book (No!) and could get into trouble with the comune. Does anyone forsee any serious problems once the gas engineer calls?

Category
Cost of living - Utility Services

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/07/2009 - 14:48

There is a requirement in Italy for central heating boilers to be annualy serviced.
A logbook for this purpose is now supplied with all new aplliances.
My advice is to use the boiler manufacturers approved repair agent for the service as he will be able to supply you with the correct documentation to get you back on track and register the boiler if required.

Regards

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/07/2009 - 15:00

The boiler in our house hadn't been serviced for at least 2 years and had no paperwork, our local (corgi equivalent) engineer serviced it and supplied all the new paperwork needed. Also bear in mind the district office keeps records and can fine you if you don't have the paperwork, we explained that we had only just bought the house, they accepted that.
They tend to visit about every 2-3 years but usually give a months notice so that you can get everything done.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 03:59

We also had no trouble being given a new log book by the technico. By law the emissions have to be checked every 2 years

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 08:20

I believe it is law to have your boiler checked every year (possibly 2 for low consumption?) for the emissions. This must be done by a qualified person who is registered for this kind of control as they will fill out a certificate in which one copy you should keep in your log book and one copy he / she will send to the comune.

I have heard that they do spot checks every now and again but to date have never actually experienced this.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 09:24

We have our boiler serviced every year and the first time we had no log book but that was not a problem. Now the service company notifies us the service is due.

We also pay €14 for the Bollino Arancione.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 10:21

Last year when the company called me to arrange their annual service check on my boiler I was told that I had to furnish the sqm size of the rooms, [U]plus[/U] the height of the ceilings [U]AND[/U] the gas meter readings covering that current year. :eeeek:

When I queried [I]why[/I] this was necessary I was told that it was a new check that the engineer was now required (by law) to do on the [U]efficiency[/U] of the heating system I had.

Luckily I had all the geometra's drawings for the house and so I worked out the total sqm. Checked my gas bills and got the total consumption for the 12 months. When he arrived and following the annual service, the engineer sat down with his tables and his calculator and worked out the total [I]cubic[/I] meter details required. He then completed this form:

[B]RAPPORTO DI CONTROLLO TECNICO PER IMPIANTO TERMICO DI POTENZA INFERIORE A 35kW[/B]

This form says that the report conforms with [B]ALLEGATO G del D.Lgs. n.311/06[/B]
which is available if you search via Google, but I didn't find a copy in English - sorry.

I did just notice though that his yearly report in my Service Manual asks if the BI-ANNUAL check on combustion has been carried out... he is marking that as a 'YES' every two years... the other years he just marks that the boiler (caldaia) has been been given a full service!

I don't know if any of this is of any use - but better too much info, than not enough - right?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 13:37

In England if we had to have these checks done we would probably be charged an arm and a leg! Are the charges in Italy high or not? :nah:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 17:40

[quote=borrini;107759]In England if we had to have these checks done we would probably be charged an arm and a leg! Are the charges in Italy high or not? :nah:[/quote]

My annual check (1h 20m) cost me a total of €80 last year. I extended my 'break down - emergency call out' cover for a further three years. Cost for that was €96 (€32pa) and that gives me 3 FREE call outs each year, which must be for different things. If two are for the same thing, then the second carries a supplementary cost of €20. I'm not complaining - and I can sleep easy knowing the boiler is in good condition and I'm safe.

I also had Carbon monoxide alarms built into the rooms with gas appliances when the house was rewired. The one in the kitchen can just be seen in the photo here in the corner near the ceiling. I don't think you can never be too safe when dealing with gas appliances!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 16:30

Need to get my boiler serviced next time I visit (Easter?). Have phone numbers to ring (Italian speaking) - what's Italian for "I need my annual service"

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 17:17

We have to replace the boiler as the one we inherited was faulty, the price i think is excessive, 2000 euros and we have been advised to get the local engineer to do the job even though the people in the next village are cheaper, also what paperwork will we expect from the person when the work completed, thanks Maureen.