REGISTERED GAS ENGINEER | BENCHMARK
Benchmark Checklist apps now live You can now fill out boiler commissioning details via an app, as well as find the appliance’s servicing records and history, as Benchmark goes digital.
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he Benchmark Checklist is now digitised, with new apps that encourage a ‘whole-life’ approach to boiler care. The apps offer data storage and retrieval capability that can be accessed by both gas engineers and homeowners. Separate apps for gas engineers and homeowners act as online information repositories,
Billy Wilgar, deputy chair of the Benchmark Steering Group, says: “Benchmark has always been more than just a commissioning tool, but its digitisation enables both heating engineers and homeowners to access vital information about their boilers, plan service intervals and take a whole-life approach to boiler care. We believe this digitisation of
“The new apps will ensure that there is no more looking for bits of paper and no more figuring out what work has been done previously on a boiler.” providing details about the boiler installation, and its servicing history during the appliance’s lifetime. The apps will make it easier for gas engineers to register boilers after they’ve been installed, as well as accessing vital information about servicing and maintenance history before starting work. The consumer app helps to make sure that regular service intervals are planned in, ultimately ensuring that boilers remain within warranty and that heating systems are performing at their most energy efficient levels. It’s a kind of boiler passport for consumers to have the full installation and service history on their heating system all in one place.
Benchmark can play a major role in improving standards and the quality of service that heating engineers offer to homeowners. “The trade version of the app allows engineers to fill out the Benchmark Checklist digitally on their phone or tablet at the time of installation, with all information being immediately available to homeowners via their own app.” A major benefit of the consumer version of the app will be its impact on servicing. “One of the key issues for homeowners has been the servicing paper trail, which is vital in proving that regular servicing has been undertaken and that the boiler remains within warranty,” says Billy. “The new apps will ensure that there is no more looking for bits of paper, and no more figuring out what work has been done previously on
a boiler. All the information that engineers and homeowners need will be easily accessible in one place.” In addition, notifications will alert homeowners when it is time to get their boiler serviced, pointing them in the direction of the engineer who installed their heating system. Billy continues: “The apps will help strengthen the relationship between the homeowner and the heating engineer, generating trust and repeat servicing business for the engineer – ultimately ensuring that heating systems
are performing at their most energy efficient levels.” As part of the Benchmark app launch, engineers are being encouraged to ‘Make their Mark’, by registering their installations through the app, to demonstrate their work on each and every install and highlight a job well done. It is an opportunity for good and competent engineers to showcase great installations, to stand out and help raise the profile of the heating industry. ■ • You can find out more and download the free apps at: www.benchmark.org.uk
Recent research by the Benchmark Steering Group found that more than 3 million households have never had their boiler serviced, and that the boilers in more than 50 per cent of homes are out of warranty, which makes it even more important that homeowners know about and understand the importance of annual servicing. The checklist has been an effective means of demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations for boiler installation, commissioning and servicing since its inception in 1999.
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