Heat Exchanger - Will Homeserve/Worcester Bosch Help?

123sonny123

Hi all,

My mom has a 'Complete Cover' policy with Homeserve.
She pays just over £200 annually for this and has done so for around 10 years and has never made a claim. Her policy comes wth £50 excess and includes an annual boiler service. It is directly with Homeserve and not via another party. For example, it's not part of her bank account.

Recently, she has noticed the pressure drop significantly over the course of a day. Her system is 'sealed' and she has a 'conventional' Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30CDI Boiler running on gas. The pressure would drop from 1.5 right dow to zero. There were no other problems, such as radiators not heating etc. A friend of a friend is a very good heating engineer and he kindly had a look at it. He said the heat exchanger has gone; there was a leak on it. Currently, the boiler is heating the house but the pressure is dropping more.

My question is, do you think Homeserve will cover the cost of this part? The boiler is a few months away from being 7 years old.

I looked at my mom's Homeserve Policy and to my eyes it is not very clear. For example, on one page it says the policy does not cover "discharge of water from hot water cylinders or CH (Central heating) boilers". Whereas, on another page it says, "You are covered for a breakdown and/or failure of your domestic gas central heating".

The issue is, I found this on the Worcester Bosch Site:

http://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/homeowner/customer-service/register-your-guarantee/greenstar-gas-boiler-primary-heat-exchanger-guarantee

It says they provide a 10 year waranty for Heat Exchangers provided they are not used with a water softener. Now, my mother does have a water softener.

This is all a bit confusing as one of the world's most advanced water softener makers, Harveys, says soft water is no problem at all:

http://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/softened-water-faqs/can-i-use-a-water-softener-with-my-boiler-if-it-has-an-aluminium-heat-exchanger


I am flying out next week for a long-awaited mini break and would like to get this sorted for her as she is disabled and most importantly, I don't want her contending with any major issues, getting fobbed off/gettting worried.

I really appreciate your help on this matter. Posting this on MSE before I contact any of the aforementioned companies.


Sonny

ihateyes

123sonny123 wrote: »

Hi all,

My mom has a 'Complete Cover' policy with Homeserve.
She pays just over £200 annually for this and has done so for around 10 years and has never made a claim. Her policy comes wth £50 excess and includes an annual boiler service. It is directly with Homeserve and not via another party. For example, it's not part of her bank account.

Recently, she has noticed the pressure drop significantly over the course of a day. Her system is 'sealed' and she has a 'conventional' Worcester Bosch Greenstar 30CDI Boiler running on gas. The pressure would drop from 1.5 right dow to zero. There were no other problems, such as radiators not heating etc. A friend of a friend is a very good heating engineer and he kindly had a look at it. He said the heat exchanger has gone; there was a leak on it. Currently, the boiler is heating the house but the pressure is dropping more.

My question is, do you think Homeserve will cover the cost of this part? The boiler is a few months away from being 7 years old.

I looked at my mom's Homeserve Policy and to my eyes it is not very clear. For example, on one page it says the policy does not cover "discharge of water from hot water cylinders or CH (Central heating) boilers". Whereas, on another page it says, "You are covered for a breakdown and/or failure of your domestic gas central heating".

The issue is, I found this on the Worcester Bosch Site:

http://www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/homeowner/customer-service/register-your-guarantee/greenstar-gas-boiler-primary-heat-exchanger-guarantee

It says they provide a 10 year waranty for Heat Exchangers provided they are not used with a water softener. Now, my mother does have a water softener.

This is all a bit confusing as one of the world's most advanced water softener makers, Harveys, says soft water is no problem at all:

http://www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk/softened-water-faqs/can-i-use-a-water-softener-with-my-boiler-if-it-has-an-aluminium-heat-exchanger


I am flying out next week for a long-awaited mini break and would like to get this sorted for her as she is disabled and most importantly, I don't want her contending with any major issues, getting fobbed off/gettting worried.

I really appreciate your help on this matter. Posting this on MSE before I contact any of the aforementioned companies.


Sonny

you would think so, but dont be surprised to see them wriggle.

http://www.homeserve.com/insurance/~/media/policy-documents/gas-central-heating-breakdown-cover-with-annual-boiler-service-flexi/tac-HSIGCHPS-HS1479X.ashx

under section b, heat exchanger is covered, but opposite not unless boiler is beyond economical repair.

paying a local guy for this you could expect to pay £350-£500 this inc 2hrs labour.

the heat exchanger is the single most expensive part in a boiler. as long as the heat exchanger plate hasnt corroded, which they might say it is to worm their way out.

now this is where it gets tricky with homeserve.... their t&c;s

on PAGE 4 of the above link, about half way down there is a heading called general conditions, another sub heading underneath..... OUR REPAIR STANDARDS...... here is the 1st 2 sentences.....

Repairs are usually temporary in order to alleviate the problem. However, a permanent repair may be carried out if it’s as cost effective as a temporary repair

this is Homeserves get out.......... not many people notice this.

123sonny123

Thank you for your reply. I have been tearing my hair off trying to get some more info. Really appreciate your help.

I rang worcester bosch and they said, pre-2007 installations come with a 2 year 'Boiler Warranty' only. So, my mom's boiler has a 2 year warranty only.

However, they did say they offer a inspection and all parts and labour costs for a one-off £315. They can afford to do it at this cost because they make their own heat exchangers is what I was told.

http://www.potterton-parts.co.uk/worcester-heat-exchangers/worcester-main-heat-exchanger-87377017930

The Heat Exchanger is this one and costs £338

http://www.potterton-parts.co.uk/worcester-heat-exchangers/worcester-main-heat-exchanger-87377017930


I will ring homeserve and see what they have to say. Maybe I can ask them if I can use my own Gas SAFE engineer - do you know if they will charge the £50excess for his inspection?

123sonny123

I have decided to go with Worcester Bosch Call-Out (which includes parts and labour) for £379. This includes a one year warranty and any further call outs (including parts and labour) for 12 months.

Engineer will come tomorrow.