Why is it important to service a gas heater before winter?

A pre-winter service ensures your heater runs safely and efficiently when you need it most. Faults found during summer servicing are cheaper to fix than emergency winter callouts — and pre-winter bookings fill fast.

When should I book my gas heater service in Melbourne?

Book your gas heater service in March or April before the winter rush. By June, licensed gasfitters in Melbourne's south-east are fully booked for weeks in advance.

The Importance of Servicing Your Gas Heater Before Winter

Christopher Unwin
Apr 12, 2025
2 min read

Updated: May 3

Why You Should Service Your Gas Heater Before Winter

Every year, ATC Plumbing handles a surge of calls in May and June from Melbourne homeowners who've switched on their gas heater for the first time since the previous winter — and found it doesn't work. The coldest week of the year is not the time to discover your heater has a fault. Here's why servicing before winter is so much smarter.

Catch Problems Before You Need the Heater

Heaters that have sat dormant over summer can develop faults that only become apparent when they're switched on. Dust accumulation on burners, spiders nesting in gas ports (a genuinely common issue in Melbourne), condensation in flue systems, and minor ignition faults are all things that can develop over the warmer months. A pre-winter service catches these before they leave you cold.

The Carbon Monoxide Risk Doesn't Wait

A cracked heat exchanger produces no warning signs — no smell, no noise, no error code. It allows combustion gases including carbon monoxide to enter your living spaces silently. The only way to detect it is a proper inspection by a licensed gas fitter. If your heater hasn't been tested in the last two years, it should be inspected before winter. This isn't alarmist — it's just sensible safety practice.

Avoid the Rush — Book in April

Gas heater service bookings fill up fast in May and June. If you wait until you need the heater urgently, you may find that the earliest available appointment is weeks away — right when you're freezing. Book your service in April or early May to get your preferred time slot and avoid the winter backlog.

Efficiency and Running Costs

A clean, properly tuned gas heater runs more efficiently than a neglected one. Blocked filters, dirty burners, and unbalanced gas pressure all reduce heating efficiency and increase running costs. A $200 service that reduces your heater's gas consumption by 10% pays for itself within a season. Call ATC Plumbing on 1300 282 758 to book your pre-winter gas heater service across Melbourne's south-east.