Boiler service has broken my boiler

MrsRC

I just bought a boiler service from Scottish Gas (they dont supply my elec and gas).The boiler was in perfect working order beforehand and since the engineer serviced it, it has started making a horrible sound while its running as though its on its last legs.

I phoned Scottish Gas to get them to come out but they've said I need to set up an account to book a repair and if the engineer decides its their fault I wont have to pay but otherwise I will have to pay for the repair at a minimum of £79 for half an hours work!

Is this really my only option or can I demand they come out for free?

good_advice

Set up the account and call them out.

MrsRC

But if I do that I am making myself liable if they dont decide it was their fault arent I?

They said I woul still be able to take it up with management if Im not happy with their decision but I didnt like the sound of getting myself into the situation where I technically owe them money because I agreed to them coming out under this arrangement?

good_advice

If it was just a boiler service and no onwards looking after the boiler cover. I would call them again and say you were not happy, they need to come back. Look at the terms of the contract...see if you can quote any thing.

Try and google the problem...for some answers....

unclebulgaria

MrsRC wrote: »

I just bought a boiler service from Scottish Gas (they dont supply my elec and gas).The boiler was in perfect working order beforehand and since the engineer serviced it, it has started making a horrible sound while its running as though its on its last legs.

I phoned Scottish Gas to get them to come out but they've said I need to set up an account to book a repair and if the engineer decides its their fault I wont have to pay but otherwise I will have to pay for the repair at a minimum of £79 for half an hours work!

Is this really my only option or can I demand they come out for free?

I understand that you aren't trained so can you describe the noise, when it happens, have you seen any warnings lit up on the boiler?
If you can give us more info it may help us to give you more ammunition for a complaint?

MrsRC

Hi,

It's much louder than normal and has a whine to it whereas it's normally just a quiet hum. It has now stopped making the noise so wondering if it's related to it first starting up. I have sent a complaint letter anyway but we're going to keep listening to it for a few more days to see what it does. Appears to be working fine still, it's just the noise but as I said its suddenly stopped so who knows! It certainly never did it before the service though.

Thanks for the help and advice!

Dave_save

It may be something as simple as a cover vibrating. However, it's something that wasn't there before and it's reasonable for you to ask for a recall to make this right, without cost to yourself. If you're still unhappy you'll probably find this in your service Terms and Conditions.

''The Agreement does not affect your legal rights under consumer protection legislation and under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. You can obtain advice about your legal rights from a Citizens Advice Bureau or Trading Standards Department.''

brewerdave

If its a condensing boiler then the whine could be the fan bearings-I noticed that the fan was quite noisy when we switched the heating back on a couple of weeks ago after two weeks holiday, but its much quieter now. Service plumber has commented on the fan being a bit noisy at the last two annual service visits - sooner or later it'll need replacing -hopefully later:)

ollski

Yep sounds like a little wear and tear on the fan, I think it would e difficult to apportion blame unless the noise was immediate on completion.

undaunted

Personally I think I'd have someone reputable and independant look at it if you're going to have it looked at & then seek compensation if they suggest it was due to a Scottish Gas error - I cant imagine many suppliers coming out and blaming themselves.

It may also still be cheaper if they believe it was not Scottish Gas' fault