Warm Front Grant saved me a fortune!

Brollie

Hi,
I thought I'd let you know my experiences.
Applied for grant 5 October 2007
Assessment 6 November 2007
Installation Engineer 19 November 2007 HES S!!!!horpe (I live in Berks)
1st quote 8 January 2008 grant £4000 contribution £757.25
Several errors and new quotes
4th and final quote 28 February 2008
Installation 28 May 2008
4 visits by Remedial engineers
Final work done 31 July 2008.
Now waiting final inspection by HES and Warm Front.

The last 9 months have been very stressful and the results were only achieved with 60+ phonecalls from me and my local MP's involvement.

Lessons learnt:
1. Chase everything.
2. Document everything especially phone calls. Note who you talk to what they say and what they promise.
3. If dates are missed or promises broken go up the management tree and keep Warm Front informed of the contractors performance.
4. Understand what is being done via the grant -what is included and what is not. If you don't understand ask for explanation.
I hope everything is going to be worth it when this winter comes and we see how the new boiler performs. Perhaps the oil price will drop before then.

Good luck with your warm front grant.

charlie555

AnnieP wrote: »

They have agreed to replacing it, but not with a condensing one as she has a large house, built in the mid 1970's and they say it wouldn't be good enough. Also they say she cant have it in the kitchen anymore and should be moved upstairs to the airing cupboard, which is directly over the kitchen and where the boiler is sited.
Anniep

I'm going to need my boiler replaced soon and the existing one is in the kitchen. Is there some new rule that says a boiler can't be in the kitchen?

charlie555

Danosaur wrote: »

Can anybody help me as I'm looking for some clarification. My Dad has been awarded a grant for a combi-boiler to replace his solid fuel immersion heater, due to poor health following a heart attack. The grant is for £3,200.
The contractor who is coming to do the work estimated it will cost £1,800. Now, the man who quoted this explained to my dad that the money that is left will be kept for 2 years for work needed after, then, if not used will go back to the government. I was just wondering what else this grant could be used for, because the house is not really bang up to date in energy efficiency.
TIA

Have I understood this correctly? Is the contractor saying he will keep the difference between the £1,800 and £3,200 for 2 years and then give it back to the government? If so he's having a laugh!

Rebob

charlie555 wrote: »

Have I understood this correctly? Is the contractor saying he will keep the difference between the £1,800 and £3,200 for 2 years and then give it back to the government? If so he's having a laugh!

Similar to my parents. The contractor had the cost of the boiler and the warm front kept the rest to pay for any future repairs and or servicing in the next few years.

oystercatcher

Do they assess your income for this grant if you are disabled?
We have applied and are waiting to be assesed as my husband recieves DLA however we do both work so now I'm worried we won't be eligble.

Oystercatcher

debidoodle

We have this year had our boiler replaced and extra radiators, also cavity wall insulation, our best freebie ever as our old boiler was about 35 years old and rubbish.

Gilly_H

Hi have not posted here before. Was assessed for w/f grant last week. Engineer came today was hoping for a combi boiler (No hot water cylinder) but said we weren't eligable could have condensing boiler (with hot water cyclinder). Can we query this with warm front????

stphnstevey

Nice thread

If you are on WTC, it says on their website you need a disability element - is this true or will WTC qualify?

Brollie

Hi Gilly H,
Warm Front Policy is to replace like for like; but if your house is not too large, a Combi boiler may be more economic.
As I said in my post above Query everything until you're happy/ understand.
So ring WF and talk to them. They're there to help and it's all taxpayers' money.

Brockworth_2

Brollie wrote: »

Hi Gilly H,
Warm Front Policy is to replace like for like; but if your house is not too large, a Combi boiler may be more economic.
As I said in my post above Query everything until you're happy/ understand.
So ring WF and talk to them. They're there to help and it's all taxpayers' money.

I would have thought a Combi boiler would always be more economic to the customer on anything but a large property,or did you mean more economic for Warm Front?.. I'm in a similar position in that the installer who came out to survey what work needed doing yesterday categorically refused to even discuss a combi boiler and said that all I would get would be a condensing boiler and that my hot water tank would have to stay in place.. I did'nt like the flannel he was giving me, so today I rang Warm Front and asked for a new installation company to be allocated,which they agreed to do.When the new installer turns up I am going to show him Warm Fronts own "What Can I Expect?" webpage http://www.warmfront.co.uk/what-will-i-get.htm which makes it pretty damn clear to me that they promise a Combi boiler.. I would be interested to hear your views and how you get on with your negotiations.. regards Brockworth