60 year old friend is freezing

undaunted

C_Mababejive wrote: »

What did people do before Warmfront?

Taxpayers take note..YOU are paying for free heating systems and boilers for the benefit of others.

Whilst they keep warm,you freeze and keep an eye on your thermostat !

In the case of the vulnerable and / or elderly they often died!

I can't believe some tax payers want us back in the dark ages


The Energy Advice line and others linked to below may be able to offer your friend some help and avice re grants etc.

http://www.mikeashworth.co.uk/2009/05/senior-citizens-help-with-heating-and-insulating-homes/

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_072688

Good luck

j2011

I can't believe some tax payers want us back in the dark ages

Especially some who complain when I say I started to leave my heating on all night.

If I want to live in a house with a temperature of 24 deg C why shouldn't I and if one more person tells me it is adding to global warming why is the temperature outside -6 deg C and I have frozen cans of coke in my garage.

Mojisola

j2011 wrote: »

If I want to live in a house with a temperature of 24 deg C why shouldn't I and if one more person tells me it is adding to global warming why is the temperature outside -6 deg C and I have frozen cans of coke in my garage.

Probably needs a new thread on DT but "global warming" means that the "globe" is warming overall but not that every place on the globe is going to be warmer.

Some places will be warmer, some colder, some much colder, many places will experience more extreme weather than previously.

By the way - j2011 - as long as you can afford it, I don't see why you can't heat your house to whatever level you need to be comfortable.

Back on topic - most people who are entitled will have received their winter fuel allowance. This is enough to get some emergency heating in while you wait for an engineer. They will all be busy at the moment so find ways of keeping warm in the meantime.

littleminxof44

My thanks to Kittie & Macman although I thought Kittie might be a bit tongue in cheek in suggesting I use some of the winter fuel allowance as this was hardly going help me find someone to repair or install a new boiler to replace the ever problematic Baxi combi we have currently!! Macman, you obviously know what you're talking about (forgive my old fashioned terminology for British Gas!!) and the good news is that I've instructed BG to install a new boiler - there is quite a good offer until 31st December. The engineer comes tomorrow and will also (d.v.) get some hot water running. Any recommendation re: best combi boiler for 3 beds end terrace (town house) please?
I'm very new to this site, so apologies for any errors.

Caroline73_2

littleminxof44 wrote: »

My thanks to Kittie & Macman although I thought Kittie might be a bit tongue in cheek in suggesting I use some of the winter fuel allowance as this was hardly going help me find someone to repair or install a new boiler to replace the ever problematic Baxi combi we have currently!! Macman, you obviously know what you're talking about (forgive my old fashioned terminology for British Gas!!) and the good news is that I've instructed BG to install a new boiler - there is quite a good offer until 31st December. The engineer comes tomorrow and will also (d.v.) get some hot water running. Any recommendation re: best combi boiler for 3 beds end terrace (town house) please?
I'm very new to this site, so apologies for any errors.

If it is an older terrace check that you have sufficient water pressure to supply a combi boiler. Many terraces are on shared supply and the older pipes can't always carry enough water in.

macman

littleminxof44 wrote: »

My thanks to Kittie & Macman although I thought Kittie might be a bit tongue in cheek in suggesting I use some of the winter fuel allowance as this was hardly going help me find someone to repair or install a new boiler to replace the ever problematic Baxi combi we have currently!! Macman, you obviously know what you're talking about (forgive my old fashioned terminology for British Gas!!) and the good news is that I've instructed BG to install a new boiler - there is quite a good offer until 31st December. The engineer comes tomorrow and will also (d.v.) get some hot water running. Any recommendation re: best combi boiler for 3 beds end terrace (town house) please?
I'm very new to this site, so apologies for any errors.

Only one problem-BG are probably the most expensive installers, anything up to 50% more than a local RGI. How much are they quoting you, for what boiler, and what does it include?
Why are you so keen to only use BG? And do you really need a new boiler (you can be sure that BG will tell you that you do)?

Mojisola

It's always worth getting more than one quote. I think you'll find that BG will charge you a lot more than a local installer.

hrafndot

I can thoroughly recommend the Vaillant Ecotec wall hung condensing combi. You will need a slightly higher output so I wont state the model. The boiler's a dream and has never had any problems.

Things to watch out for:

Establish with engineer that she insulates pipes with a potential for freezing in order to prevent freezing causing the boiler to shut off.

I am currently keeping an eye on boiler pressure which seems to go down if, for instance, I go away. Ask whether a filling loop is still necessary, I'm not sure whether this is necessary.

There will be a steam plume, so not pretty. Have a plume kit fitted and dont upset the neighbours!!! They causn object to planning if it is in full view even at the back of property.

Soakaway or drain needed for condensate, Soakaway has to be a required distance from a external wall so chemicals in the condensate don't seak down into the foundations.

Powerflush of entire system is advisable.
Rust inhibitor advisable.
Magnaclean is a kind of catalytic gizmo that attracts debris in the system so that would be good and protect boiler.

Wireless theremostat so that you can take your time working out where best to place it.

While you've got the engineer, it would be a good idea for her to check and replace rusty radiators; thermostatic radiator valves, usually best to just replace.

Watch out for engineer condemning your cooker during his mandatory gas safety check, they make a specialy of doing this and you've got Christmas coming up. Wrap up warm and be prepared to get it done before the VAT goes up, or negotiate a pre-rise deal!!!

What they are particularly keen on is cookers with glass lids where there is no cut out or cut out doesn't work.

Imagine this, Engineer comes in, fits boiler, condemns cooker!!! By 5pm I have come down with rampant Noro virus!! Yes that horrible horrible sickness Virus!!

No cooker, can't eat, can't walk because I'm so ill, my perfect nightmare, but at least it wasn't minus 5 degrees.

My only consolation was that the engineer came down with Noro virus, the next day.

Farway

hrafndot - odd how the female engineer does great job, male one condems cooker?

she insulates pipes ... good idea for her to check and replace rusty radiators ..condemning your cooker during his mandatory gas safety check

A filling loop of some sort is necessary, how else would you top up the water if it leaks out from your system somewhere? I know it should not, but cars should never break down & politicians should never fiddle expenses:D

hrafndot

Sorry, I turned the engineer into a female through not wanting to pander to stereotypes, plus it was the wee hoursand I was too tired to change all the references!!

This engineer was a man and he was good, but condemned the cooker.Sorry about the Noro virus mate! I met a female gas engineer this year and it was a refreshing experience so I jiggled aout with my story!!. My mind went blank about the filling loop

I related my case history because I felt that this would be useful and give a sort of framework for someone who is going at the process with no knowledge at all. I'm sure there are plenty of variables, i.e. water pressure problems, but Littleminx explained that she felt completely overwhelmed by the task!!

I would also state that it is usually mandatory to use condensing boilers in new installations but there are exceptional circumstances which can be explored with engineer if you are having problems.