Free and Cheap Insulation Official Discussion

Richie-from-the-Boro

Completelyfreehomeinsulat wrote: »

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juliamarsh

Does anybody know if it is possible to get an oil fired boiler free under this scheme? The companies that are involved all seem to be gas companies and we can't get gas out in the sticks where I live!

Hillman800

I needed a new gas boiler, being a carer for my elderly relative both of us qualified.
I applied, I had two people come out to assess the property and see proof of income etc in order to apply for the grant on my behalf.
Within 3 weeks I was told that the grant had been 100% successful.
Four weeks later the boiler was installed.

The whole process was smooth, very customer orientated and excellent quality of work.
I'm very pleased as this will significantly reduce my gas bills and it has also saved me the cost of a new one... which I could not afford anyway.

ferrari042

I was cold called in early Feb by Nationwide Energy Services (NES) re a boiler. We discussed the criteria and we were eligible, since then NES have sent 3 seperate surveyors to my house to complete the same survey and after 5 months we still don't have an upgrade, everytime I ring them they claim they have no Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) which the surveyor should provide after the first visit. They have also taken 2 copies of our benefits statements to prove we were eligible and have now contacted me to provide them again. This company is a nightmare and have no grasp of what is happening to their customers, the call centre people are very polite and helpful (they are the ones on the BBC prog "The Call Centre") but only seem to be acting as a middle man for NES as each call ends with "I will have to contact one of my colleagues in another department". I hope the energy companies are better than this if you approach them direct.

steve6375

AFAIK the boilers are not free. I am not sure if this is the same scheme but beware!
I spent about an hour on the phone with a 'sales person' until I got to the bottom of it.
The gov have a scheme to replace old inefficient boilers with new ones. Companies can use that scheme to offer people new boilers.
They survey your house, boiler and bills and estimate how much your gas/oil/electricity for the boiler was costing you per year.
Then they estimate how much ££ a new boiler would save you over 10 years.
Lets say this would be £1000. So then they ADD this amount to your energy bills over the next 3 yrs (£1000/36 per month). This means you will see a surcharge on your energy bills (gas/electricity) every month.
It also means if you sell your house during that 3 years, the new owner will see that surcharge on their biils (the surcharge goes with the property NOT the owner).
(I forget the exact time periods now - I think it was 10 and 3 yrs but not sure).

nuneatonian

Hi all
Regarding these free boilers. I know it might be a silly question, but if you qualify for this and you don't already have central heating can you get your boiler free, if you decided to have central heating installed, and just pay for the rest of the installation? Radiators, pipework, labour etc.

mike_x1x

Hi
Does this offer apply if you do not have a Boiler?
We have never been able to afford central heating so we dont have any boiler.
cheers
Mike

Sorry. I see someone else had already asked this question

Tillydot

I appliedfor the British Gas loft and wall insulation scheme in June of 2012. I was aware the scheme finished in Nov2012. When I rang British Gas in the June I asked if I would be still be able to apply. They said yes and would organise a survey. Ithen had a letter apologising for the length of time it would take to send someone to surveymy home, the appointment was for Dec 2012.The survey was all okay and I was given a contract with the details. I never heard anymore so I rang on several occasions and wastold I would probably get the work done in the Summer but I said as long as itwas done for the Winter it didnt matter.

My house is very cold and I am on a small pension. I rang again today and outof the blue was told as the money from the Governement had run out in Nov 2012they didnt think I would be able to have the work carried out. I have acontract with them which was given to me by the lady who did the survey in Dec2012. I amgoing to have another freezing Winter and there doesnt seem to be anything Ican do about it! I notice British Gas are still offering their insultation but I cant get my deal. I dont understand it and think its totally shoddy.

choirister

I decided to apply for a free boiler as I receive pension credit and have an old combi boiler. I checked with the Energy Savings Trust and it was confirmed that I did qualify. As British Gas is my provider I applied to them and was told that as my boiler is working they couldn't help. I filled in forms online and was visited by a firm in the Midlands and was told that my boiler had to be G rated and mine was F rated. Told to apply to B&Q - they couldn't help as my boiler was working. I persevered and after seeing an advert on television by HelpLink, filled in a form online, received a phone call next day and a surveyor came the day after. He confirmed that I qualified and my new boiler is to be fitted next week. It took a lot of perseverance, but was worth it in the long run.

Lungers

Hi MSE,

I live in NI and wondering which energy suppliers are offering this scheme here? Many thanks, Leigh