We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

New boiler advice

I'm usually pretty much on the ball with switching service providers & likewise but I've just discovered that I've been paying a small fortune for boiler insurance. I'm very embarrassed to say I'm paying over £20 a month to British Gas for a guy to come & service our ancient boiler (well over 20 years old at a guess!) even though theres not a complete range of parts available for it & my household insurance would cover us if it broke down!! OK confession over, my question is could I get a new boiler for the same price per month as I'm paying for this policy? I can't afford to pay out a lump sum but would be able to do a £20 a month payment plan. Any advice would be gratefully accepted :)
«13

Comments

  • Pincher
    Pincher Posts: 6,552 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    A typical replacement quote is £2,000+VAT
    BG will want £3,000+.

    £20 per month is £240 per year, which will pay off £2,400 in ten years with 0% APR.

    What a cracking deal. If you find one, let us know.
  • C_Mababejive
    C_Mababejive Posts: 11,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    what make and model is your "old" boiler?
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
  • Its a Glow worm Economy F. I dread to think how old it is :o
  • Hmm when I see an idea of what its going to cost I realise that £20 a month doesnt go far, So much for Johnny Ball & his do the maths advert, I'm assuming you get a crap boiler with that as you'd be dealing with a loan company rather than an energy company??
  • Wywth
    Wywth Posts: 5,079 Forumite
    As a moneysaving site, I guess the question you really have to ask yourself is do you need a new boiler at all?

    We've got a Glow Worm boiler, like yours it's over 20 years old and never been serviced as far as I am aware.
    We have no immediate plans to replace it. It still does the job we need it to.
  • I dont know how much money wed save if we replaced it, I'm guessing its not very economical. You have a good point though, I could cancel the £20 a month insurance & pay for someone to check it over once a year with the money I save.
  • jalexa
    jalexa Posts: 3,448 Forumite
    edited 24 September 2012 at 11:02AM
    I'm very embarrassed to say I'm paying over £20 a month to British Gas for a guy to come & service our ancient boiler (well over 20 years old at a guess!)

    This is NOT to endorse British Gas Homecare but ONLY to illustrate the range of prices.

    http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/boilers-and-central-heating/cover.html

    You appear to be paying OTT for just boiler cover and an annual service.
  • Omg thanks Jalexa, I'm on the phone to them now, I pay £21.22 per month for homecare 200!! I feel so stupid that I hadnt noticed how much we're paying, I go through everything else so carefully but just missed this :o
  • neilmcl
    neilmcl Posts: 19,460 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I dont know how much money wed save if we replaced it, I'm guessing its not very economical. You have a good point though, I could cancel the £20 a month insurance & pay for someone to check it over once a year with the money I save.
    Any "savings" will unlikely be realised for years to come once you take into account the cost of replacing it. If it still works and it does the job you need it to do then I'd leave it and just get an annual service done for around £50-£100. The old Glow Worm boilers are generally regarded as pretty good workhorses and last for decades.
  • Wywth
    Wywth Posts: 5,079 Forumite
    I dont know how much money wed save if we replaced it, I'm guessing its not very economical. ...

    Well based on post#2 you could save yourself in excess of £2400 by not replacing it ;)

    How much more economical do you think a new boiler would be and hence what payback period are you hoping for?

    As hinted at in my previous post, my approach is one of:
    "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"
    ...but your money, your choice :)
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 347.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 251.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 616.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.4K Life & Family
  • 253.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.