Gas Central Heating Inspection

HarriettPotter

Hi, I wondered if anyone out there has any experience in the following:

I am in the process of buying a house with my partner and we have had our survey done. It said that they know the gas central heating system needs repair or replacement and we should have it inspected. Do we just ring up British Gas to come and do it or can local firms do it? Also, does it cost and is it likely to be cheaper with a local firm if they do it?

Any advice gratefully received.

billyjojimbob

Ask around the neighbours to see who does theirs.

Anyone can service it, but must be CORGI registered.

My annual check & service is £25.

amboy

I must say £25 is very cheap for a check and service as they are both separate tasks.

Do not ask British Gas they will charge heavily, a competant corgi engineer will check it

pak2

British Gas do a 3 star cover, this includes an initial inspection.

Very useful if u set up 3* on DD, then use their inspection as a guide to the health and maintain ability of the boiler, if BG refuse to take it on, then u'll know it is in bad nick.

After inspection cancel the DD

Pak

Ruffchops

As a matter of interest British Gas called yesterday to service our 7year old Back Boiler and informed us that Back Boilers will be obselete in 2010. So don't let British Gas talk you into a new Back Boiler, unless you are prepared to purchase another in 6 years time!

pak2

Being able to tell you that the company that made your back boiler will discontinue it in 6 years time is damn good info.

You surely can't knock British Gas for giving 6 years advance warning?

Pak

cattie

The average efficient life of a domestic wall mounted boiler is said to be around 7yrs, so to hopefully get 13 years out of a back boiler sounds good!

Robert5988

The average efficient life of a domestic wall mounted boiler is said to be around 7yrs,

May I ask who said that?

hansi

The average efficient life of a domestic wall mounted boiler is said to be around 7yrs, so to hopefully get 13 years out of a back boiler sounds good!

If that is correct, then I am doing very well indeed with my wall mounted boiler still going stong after 19 years. I have it checked annually with BG 5* service and they tell me it's in perfect nick, so I would hope for a few more years yet.

chateau42

Use a trusted independant gas engineer, CORGI-registered, not a BG gas engineer/salesmen. If you use BG and  BG say anything about your installation that will cost you, check with your boiler manufacturer. Get a second opinion from a CORGI-registered gas engineer, not a commission orientated salesman. Our boiler is 20years+ with nil repairs, hope I have not spoken too soon!!!!!!!!! ::)

Robert5988

My experience is similar to Chateau and Hansi(mine is 16 years)

In fact a BG salesman called(at my invitation) and said that the efficiency savings on the new breed of boiler were marginal and advised that we shouldn't bother - in his experience most(Potterton)boilers would last 25+ years and with 5 star servicing the only problem would be if the spares ran out.