Shall I go with a BG sub contractor!!

loulou41

I just had my boiler serviced by BG this morning and was told it is an old boiler and it is costing me more to heat. Anyway, I was asked whether I needed a quote from BG, I told the engineer no as the quote from BG was too high. He told me, he is a sub contract from BG and he could do it much cheaper. Shall I go with him, he also asked if I want to replace the radiators with a modern one as mine is over 30 yrs old? Nothing wrong with the radiators now, I do not know what to do & do not want unnecessary expenses as it might all cost 5K with radiators and combi boiler. He also said I can cancel my homecare 400 as the Potterton boiler is guaranteed for 2 yrs. I have read somewhere the radiators and the pipes are not covered under the guarantee.

I would really appreciate some advice regarding this, I do not want unnecessary expenses but I do know the radiators will pack up and I like the idea that I can count on BG to come and fix it. I am wondering whether I could just replace the combi boiler now or wait for it to pack up and then have it replaced. If I do not change the radiators, I think I would like to keep my homecare 400 just for the radiators & pipes. Does this make sense to anybody? He has left his card and he is a corgi registered. Thanks

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: There is no need to replace a safe and working boiler:this fellow is trying it on. Btw...CORGI has been replaced by Gas Safe Register.

Start saving up now and when you do need to replace the boiler get 3 quotes from RGIs recommended to you by a source you trust.

HTH

Canucklehead

loulou41

Thanks, surely if he is sub contractor from BG, I could trust him to do the job!! Is Potterton combi a good boiler.

Canucklehead

loulou41 wrote: »

Thanks, surely if he is sub contractor from BG, I could trust him to do the job!! Is Potterton combi a good boiler.

Good morning: The fact that he is trying to flog you a boiler that you do not need speaks volumes (especially if it is a Potterton). Why spend out money when you don't have to...not a moneysaving strategy.

Canucklehead

jcorbygas

Perhaps BG would be interested in what this subcontractor is doing!
And as Canucklehead says if its still working OK stick with the existing boiler but maybe put some money aside each month towards a new one for the future. All this sales talk about a new boiler saving you money is just sales talk - ie spend over £2000 on a new boiler and it will take you around 18 years to recoup that cost on energy savings, and the boiler will not last that long!!

loulou41

Thanks both of you for your good advice. I will give it a miss and wait till boiler packs up, hope it does not do it in winter, it is an elan 2, 14 yrs old. Hubby is concerned if it does pack up in winter, how long will it normally take to have a new combi fitted esp in winter? I have also told hubby although the radiators are 33 yrs old, they are still in good condition and we have homecare 400 and I am going to leave them. He said they are so dated and it is costing more to heat. I just will not be able to put up through all the mess as I suffer from arthritis and am limited besides they are functional. If I change them I will have to redecorate. I know with the kitchen I will have to as I have been told the new combi will need to go in the airing cupboard. Thanks.

karlos848

Just for the record BG do not allow there employees to work outside employment. This chaps ID card and registration may be for BG and anything he does outside of official employment will not be legal unless he holds a seperate registraion.

HTH

karlos

loulou41

I am aware that BG do not allow their employees to do private work. This chap has his own business.

Pssst

Lets be fair..the guy wasnt saying the boiler was knackered,he was simply suggesting that a much more efficient appliance would cost less to run. The decision lies with the customer as always. There is nothing wrong with older boilers and its a cost /benefit analysis as to when to replace it. My trusty spacesaver 50 CF is hardly the height of efficiency but im in no rush as it lives in a little house. In a bigger house,it might be a different story. Its fully pumped BTW and rated down to about 38,000btu..!