British Gas 3* cover - HELP

Swindled_3

Firstly Hello - this is my first post! And im in urgent need of help/advice.

In december 05 i took out the above cover, i opted for the policy which covers central heating, plumbing and electrical, anyway, the engineer came out to assess the property and the heating system etc, called them out 4 times so far no problems, however, called them at the weekend as had no hot water, the engineer came, ordered a heat sensor, came back yesterday to fit it, doesnt work! he now suggests it may be the secondary heat exhanger (which apparently isnt covered under the small print) at a cost to us of approx £100! in addition to this it may need a power flush costing a further £635 (also not covered) the engineer told us that basically its our fault this problem has arisen as we didnt identify the system needed a power flush! ive asked him how we would tell, we arent skilled in this field thats why we took out the policy in the first place! he said its identified by cold spots on the bottom on the rads, like i would have known this! none of the engineers have ever told us this and they are expecting us to cough up the cash. ive emailed british gas but got no response. Any advise please?

tripled

Get a second opinion, if it does need a power flush your local Corgi engineer will probably do it cheaper and will tell you if you need a heat exchanger too. Using a different provider for work not covered under your 3* will not invalidate your cover.

Swindled_3

Now have hot water, and a bill for £110.23 (the cost of the heat exchanger) they let us have the o-rings free! Still not recommended the PF though, but the cost of the power flush is £635 because apparently it takes all day. My sister had hers done with a different company who charges half the price said it takes no longer than 2 hours depending on number of rads etc, hers took half an hour and her system is 15+ years old, mine is only just 2 and it was a whole new system pipes the lot when first instaled.

tripled

It would seem unlikely your system would need flushing if it's just two years old but I'm not an expert. Newer systems do need flushing more often than old ones though apparently.

Poppy9

I would take up with BG the £110 charge. I would also ignore the bit about the powerflush. They are told to sell this.

silvercar

there are other things that cause cold spots on the radiators, like they need balancing. I wouldn't have thought that a two year old system should need a power flush.

look on the "in my home" board for advice about cold rads, before shelling out for a power flush.

Swindled_3

The main issue is that we never knew to check this, and since we were told have been checking, and no hotspots founds. when the engineer left yesterday we asked if it needed doing and his answer was "dunno - up to you really" On none of the work sheets does it mention that this work is recomended either to avoid further problems!
I have no response from BG, so have contacted watchdog, trading standards and energywatch.

Lyndsey_2

I had problems with the British Gas 3* cover too..

They came out and serviced my boiler but because we had taken off a radiator in the front room to decorate and then put it back on we had breached the terms and conditions as a "3rd party had interfered with the system!" We had a bit of an argument about it but the outcome was in order to maintain within the terms and conditions you are not allowed to touch any part of your central heating system and this includes taking off radiators!!! If you do you invalidate your policy!!!

Not a very helpful company!

espresso

Lyndsey wrote:

Not a very helpful company!

So cancel your 'service' agreement with them!

I just can't understand anyone paying their inflated prices for such a pathetic service with far too much small print!

Swindled_3

Still arguing this charge! waiting for a contract manager to arrive to discuss.
Tried energy watch - they only cover supply of energy, as do the energy ombudsman.
No response from watchdog yet.

had 2 engineers come yesterday to change my light switch in the bathroom that broke last tuesday (seems there 24 hour, 7 days a week doesnt actually apply) not sure why it took 2 engineers and even then they had to borrow our torch once they'd turned the power off as they didnt have one

Stormy

Lyndsey wrote:

I had problems with the British Gas 3* cover too..

They came out and serviced my boiler but because we had taken off a radiator in the front room to decorate and then put it back on we had breached the terms and conditions as a "3rd party had interfered with the system!" We had a bit of an argument about it but the outcome was in order to maintain within the terms and conditions you are not allowed to touch any part of your central heating system and this includes taking off radiators!!! If you do you invalidate your policy!!!

Not a very helpful company!

Thats bizare! I have drained my system, flushed it, added sludge remover and inhibitor, changed rad valves to TRVs, changed a radiator AND taken every radiator off to flush and have been on a Homecare plan while I have done all this.

I have had numerous visits by BG engineers as I had a seperate problem with the boiler / tank. I have mentioned the work I have done and they have been both complimentary and NEVER told me it invalidates my cover.

They even told me the rad I changed WOULD have been changed for free under the plan. As they don't cover everything, ie putting TRVs on is not free I choose to do that myself and let the do the jobs I can't do.

Its the best of both worlds and so far I have not had the trouble you have had. I have had great service on Homecare and had numerous things replaced under the plan.

I guess it must be down to individual engineers.

Odd indeed.

Mike