Warm Front extra radiators needed

sparklegrrrl

I'm helping my father get his home's heating fixed. He gets pension credit so is entitled to free heating from Warm Front. However, they've only said they can give him five free radiators and a boiler - this will make his three storey terraced/town-house only partially heated.

The surveyor from Warm Front (Wales) said to get the house fully heated we'd need to buy an additional 4 radiators, which would cost around £1,000. His house is already fitted with a boiler and radiators - but they surveyor said the whole system is all blocked up and will need an entire refit.

I guess a £1,000 doesn't sound too bad to get the house fully heated, the only problem is I'll have to end up paying that since Dad could not afford that.

Should it cost £1k to get four radiators fully installed and plumbed in? If it should cost less then I'll just get the house partially heated and go elsewhere for the extra radiators.

Thank you

BARGAINHUNTER!

Would the boiler Warmfront are installing be powerful enough for the extra rads? If so, it might be worthwhile ringing a couple of plumbers to find out how much they would charge to install the extra rads. Unfortunately the Warmfront grant is only up to a maximum amount, and once that is spent, anything extra on top is payable, although how people low income are supposed to find extra £1k out of their benefit is beyond me!

sparklegrrrl

I'll have to check out what boiler they're using.

kate705

Hi,

My mum had this system and was told it comes as a package and therefore only the boiler and 5 radiators.

There were lots of complaints about Warmfront as people were told that they had been awarded a full grant. When it came to the installation though they were always told that they would have to contribute towards the cost. My Mum was told she had to give another £300. I can't remember all the details but she told them that she was on pension credit and that the whole point of the scheme is to award a grant.....it is supposed to help people that haven't got any money!

It was investigated by a consumers programme, I think it was watchdog and warmfront apologised for some of the charges that subcontractors were making.

By the way they said that my Mum didn't have to pay any extra.

Your situation is slighly different but make sure they don't overcharge you.