Oil Fired Boiler needs replaced :(

scottishminnie

I have a Worcester/Danesmoor 20/25 oil fired boiler which was installed when the house was built (Nov 96). When the engineer came out to do the annual service last month he announced the water jacket was burst (puddle on garage floor below boiler) and the boiler would need to be replaced as this part can no longer be sourced.

I wasn't unduly alarmed as I've been paying more than £100 each year for the last 14 years on a heating and boiler policy however they have now informed me the Insurance Company will only pay £500 towards the cost of a replacement boiler and installation and Team Energy are quoting somewhere in the region of £2500-£3000 for the replacement:eek:

What would a suitable replacement be for this boiler (or do I need to give more details for anyone to give me a clue). The existing boiler has served us adequately however I don't see why I should be tied to the same manufacturer just because it suits the company who do my maintenance.

I have asked the insurance company if they would accept a quote from another party (to be honest if I have to get a replacement I'd rather give the work to a small business) however they couldn't tell me - I'm awaiting a call back.

macman

Sorry to state the obvious, but if you'd put that £100pa in a savings account, you'd have maybe £2,000 towards a new boiler now.
Have you checked that offer against the T&C's on your policy?
Have you got an alternative quote from an independent installer?

scottishminnie

macman wrote: »

Sorry to state the obvious, but if you'd put that £100pa in a savings account, you'd have maybe £2,000 towards a new boiler now.
Have you checked that offer against the T&C's on your policy?
Have you got an alternative quote from an independent installer?

Thanks - I'm absolutely mad about the policy not doing what I thought but was pretty sure if I stated that I'd have numerous people jumping on me saying I got exactly what I paid for.

The T's and C's state that in the event of the boiler jacket needing replaced they will make a contribution towards a new one. The insurers got really stroppy with me when I said that surely if a burst water jacket means a knackered boiler then that's what should be stated in the policy. Apparently, according to them, a householder should at very least understand enough about boilers to know the impact of a boiler jacket being non repairable. They also stated that since I owned a "geriatric" boiler I should consider myself fortunate that they insured it at all.

The engineers say that the boiler jacket cannot be replaced as the part is now obsolete, hence the new boiler. That's of no consequence to the insurer who won't budge.

I will be looking for other quotes, I'm awaiting a return call from the insurer however I don't see how they can dictate who I use to do the work as long as it's a bona fide tradesman.

There is absolutely no danger of me ever having another heating/boiler policy. I personally don't think it's worth the paper it's written on. The other gem of a comment they made was that if the claim wasn't settled by November (when the boiler is 15 years old) their offer would decrease to £200. That caused a bit of a meltdown on my part and amongst some other choice phrases I told them it would be an ombusdsman case straight off.

What I would like to know is what a comparable boiler would be. I don't want a combi (too many friends with too many issues) and am not having another Worcerster so would like recommendations if anyone has an idea. It's a 4 bedroom house, single storey with 14 radiators.

Thanks

YORKSHIRELASS

My sister was told that her gas boiler could not be repaired because it was so old that spare parts could no longer be found. She got a second opinion and another heating engineer repaired it and 3 years later it is still going strong.

All may not be lost. Get someone else to have a look at it.

michaels

How about an air source heat pump?

cddc

Would second that. There are plenty of heating companies who try to sell you new boilers when the old ones a prefectly repairable. Get two or three more quotes. Do not assume they are telling you the truth when they say the parts can no longer be obtained.

scottishminnie

I've been given 2 recommendations for heating engineers so I'll get them and possible another out to look at it. I'm certainly not taking the word of the Team Energy engineer. It's not him personally, I just don't trust anyone these days. Sad but true

cajef

Several years ago in a former property I was told that a part I needed for a boiler was no longer available from their suppliers and the boiler was obsolete by two different engineers, a new boiler was the only cure.

I rang the manufacturer myself and a very helpful lady informed me the part was still available and in stock, they sent it to me and I fitted it myself, the boiler was still working three years later when the property was sold.

macman

'The T's and C's state that in the event of the boiler jacket needing replaced they will make a contribution towards a new one'.
So, if the part is no longer available, that clause is now irrelevant. And even it was, 'a contribution' means that they could offer you £1. You presumably have a policy that covers an annual service and some level of repairs? These policies are not designed to give you a new boiler after 14 years of wear and tear from new. A £500 contribution seems very generous under the circumstances.
As already suggested by others, your best bet is to find an independent installer who knows your brand and see if they can obtain the parts.
This is another (extreme) example of why boiler/CH cover is rarely cost-effective.

scottishminnie

macman wrote: »

'The T's and C's state that in the event of the boiler jacket needing replaced they will make a contribution towards a new one'.
So, if the part is no longer available, that clause is now irrelevant. And even it was, 'a contribution' means that they could offer you £1. You presumably have a policy that covers an annual service and some level of repairs? These policies are not designed to give you a new boiler after 14 years of wear and tear from new. A £500 contribution seems very generous under the circumstances.
As already suggested by others, your best bet is to find an independent installer who knows your brand and see if they can obtain the parts.
This is another (extreme) example of why boiler/CH cover is rarely cost-effective.

If only it had covered an annual service at least I'd have had some benefit. The annual service was a condition of the policy and cost an additional £120 and the excess on any repairs was £100. Unfortunately I'm not blessed with the same level of blinding intelligence that many others have hence my abject stupidity in paying out year after year. Hindsight is a wonderful thing

macman

So the policy doesn't include servicing, and you pay the first £100 for each repair? Gulp.
What have you actually got for £3,080+ expenditure over 14 years, apart from the annual service?