Condemned bolier and a disabled child.

pumbaa

The Issue: Have a major problem with central heating boiler. Following a period of unreliability during the cold weather, I've had it checked out by a Gas Safe engineer and its been condemned. Basically, it was incorrectly installed over 10 years ago; basically whoever installed it has not connected the flue properly, so inlet and outlet gases are mixing in the flue, causing the boiler to cut out frequently (some times up to 30 times a day).

I have a two year old with Down's Syndrome. We've noticed he suffers more from sinus infections and coughs than comparable typical children, and are therefore concerned that this may be exacerbated by an inefficient heating system.

My question is this. Does anyone know of any grants available to help fund the cost of a replacement boiler? Obviously Warm Front would have been an option, however it would appear all the grants have been issued and don't apply if a child is disabled anyway. I approached my local council about a DFG, which was quickly dismissed. Are there any other routes I can investigate?

Indie_Kid

Not DFG, but have you asked your council about any grants for heating?

pumbaa

Yes. May be eligible for a £400 grant (means tested) and low interest rate loan (3% I think), but given the quotes to replace the boiler are in the order of £2500 upwards, its a dip in the ocean really.

C_Mababejive

Do you own the property and therefore the boiler?

If yes,then it is quite possible that it could be repaired economically.

pumbaa

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Do you own the property and therefore the boiler?

If yes,then it is quite possible that it could be repaired economically.

Yes. Interested to know more.....

C_Mababejive

pumbaa wrote: »

Yes. Interested to know more.....

If it is simply a misaligned balanced flue assembly or similar then surely all it needs is for someone competent to repair it or obtain a new flue assembly and fit same?

Do you know make and model?

Get second opinion as first guy might be trying to sell you a new boiler??

[Deleted User]

they would only be allowed to condem the boiler if it was unsafe to use

hobbledehoy.

C_Mababejive wrote: »

If it is simply a misaligned balanced flue assembly or similar then surely all it needs is for someone competent to repair it or obtain a new flue assembly and fit same?

Do you know make and model?

Get second opinion as first guy might be trying to sell you a new boiler??

Hello

Yes I would second that. It seems that the boiler itself is OK, it's just the balanced flue. That would make them condemn it!

Get another quote for the refitting of a new assembly. I've just had a quick look on the web and the kit should not cost much more than £100.

If I was you I would ask the next gas fitter if he could do a special price for you and your child. Be honest and tell him that you don't have a lot to spend but want it making safe for your child's sake.

Most guy's when faced with that will certainly try to come to an agreement. If he doesn't try another!

It doesn't matter how you get the job done and what you have to say, what is important is that you have heat and the whole thing is safe.

Good luck.

pumbaa

hobbledehoy. wrote: »

Hello

Yes I would second that. It seems that the boiler itself is OK, it's just the balanced flue. That would make them condemn it!

Get another quote for the refitting of a new assembly. I've just had a quick look on the web and the kit should not cost much more than £100.

If I was you I would ask the next gas fitter if he could do a special price for you and your child. Be honest and tell him that you don't have a lot to spend but want it making safe for your child's sake.

Most guy's when faced with that will certainly try to come to an agreement. If he doesn't try another!

It doesn't matter how you get the job done and what you have to say, what is important is that you have heat and the whole thing is safe.

Good luck.

Interesting....the boiler is a Worcester Bosch 24CDi, manufactured and installed around 1999. What I was told by the Gas Safe Engineer was that the flue was incorrectly installed, and this was the likely root cause of the boiler cutting out. He's recommended it be replaced and I'm using it 'at my own risk'.

I think my next move will to be to check out the Worcester Bosch website and see if I can find a local specialist engineer in the area to talk to. Thank you (and C_Mababejive) for your advice so far.

soolin

woodbine wrote: »

they would only be allowed to condem the boiler if it was unsafe to use

If it were BG then they condemn everything. We are frightened to let them in the house now as they just yellow tape everything and tell us it is unsafe and try and flog us expensive replacements.

In all cases we have done what someone has already suggested on this thread. Got another gas safe bod in for advice and usually effected a repair for a few pounds. In many cases the second bod has completely disagreed with the BG decision.

They condemned our last boiler and quoted us to replace it. Then surveryor refused to allow the boiler they wanted and it got very nasty with lots of different people in my house shouting at each other. In the end BG reinstalled the 'condemned' boiler and said they may have over interpreted the rules and the boiler went another 4 years before finally conking out last year.

soolin

Just remembered another incidence as well. Gas safe man condemned our boiler told us it was leaking potentially harmful gas and told us it needed replacement. Frightened the life out of me until I called a second man who pointed out that potentially harmful gas can be tested for, he put all sort of instruments against the boiler and nothing at all registered, he was so cross he got me to phone original bloke and get him back so he could confront him, but the original bloke guessed he had been rumbled and refused to come.

Incidentally, our old boiler was over 30 year sold, the new one is a condensing boiler and turns itself off several times a week..but we were warned that the new boilers are not as strong as the old ones.