British Gas Homecare 300 - replace radiator for free?

rabbitmumu

Hi all

Probably I am super paranoid but would appreciate some confirmation from members here please. I have a Homecare 300 contract for almost a year with Br Gas and have recently had an engineer checking the whole heating system before winter starts.

While checking the boiler etc, I mentioned to the engineer that we have a very old radiator (the previous owner had all 3 radiators changed following burst of whatever which resulted in flooding and had a combi boiler installed.. except ONE radiator for some strange reason) which has brown water leaking out from 3 holes on the panel very very very slowly but continuously....

ANyway to cut the long story short, he said that Br Gas can replace that old radiator for free as it may leak and flood at anytime.... I weren't even aware of that cover as all the documents only mentioned "repair" (i may not understand the documentation fully). But that guy confirmed that replacing the radiator is definitely free and further researches on various forums seem to suggest that Br Gas have been doing so (subject to different type of policies of course).

So I would like to double check that this is the case and I wouldn't receive any unexpected bills. Obviously the downside is that they may increase my future premium?

Many thanks in advance

notbritishgas

I have had a radiator replaced FOC under homecare (it was quite a few years ago though).
I think mostly radiators rust from the inside and initially just have pinhole leaks which you may have, so go for it.

Homecare 200 would also cover the radiators.

MoneySavingMole

I work at BG, and yes, as a valued HomeCare300 Customer, we would replace a damaged radiator for free.

There are some T&C's surrounding it, such as, as long as you haven't malicously damaged it etc.

And be prepared to be preached to about protecting your system etc. as the reason your existing radiator is in that state will be due to water quality & age...

Anticipate being quoted for a System Filter at least... it is no obligation, but they probably won't replace any other radiators if they find reason to believe you aren't looking after the current ones...

Spirotech Magnabooster2's are currently £50 off until the end of the month, so expect a quote in the region of £210 for a Combi system.

rabbitmumu

@ BlueMoonMole - Many thanks for your advice. That's very helpful and have put my mind at ease.

I do have a Magna Clean Professional for almost 3 years (installed by the previous owner) but i never fully know what it is for although i have to say at the back of my mind I always wonder how long that Magna thing is meant to last. I have just done a reseach on Youtube it teaches people how to clean it etc etc.

Do you think I can ask the BG engineer to clean it for me when he will be back next week to replace the radiator? Or it is something not included in Homecare 300? (if not included, can I at least borrow his tools to open the Magna + stop the valves and clean it myself?)

Another question - I always wonder why the previous owner only changed 3 radiators (instead of all 4) when one of his old radiators flooded the whole place... and from some forum someone suggested BG would only change 3 radiators... Obviously it could just be case specific but could it be because he was with BG too?

Thanks again

MoneySavingMole

I could not possibly answer the question regarding why one radiator was not changed, however, the HomeCare300 does include cleaning your filter...

Gerrard_8_lfc

Yes all the Rads in the home will be covered if they need to be replaced. Same with the TRVs on them (if they have them.)

rabbitmumu

thanks everyone