New OIL bolier - any grants for 80+ pensioners

Justinr

Hi all,

My first post - and yes I know I should search a bit for answers already out there but I really am in a rush for this.

My mother in law is 86 and has oil fired heating / water that is at least 40 years old.

Nothing is actually wrong with the system other than age, however its efficiency must be almost non-existent so she was thinking of replacing for a newer one (still Oil - just a straight swap out). Are there still grants available? She gets state pension + attendance allowance.

Thanks in advance

Justin

sheffield_lad

https://www.gov.uk/warm-front-scheme/overview

try this she may need to be claiming pension credit though and you need to be quick!

colinsmithathome

Dear Jr,

don't assume the efficiency of the old system.
Get it checked
If the boiler is being serviced the efficiency should be measured with a probe in the flu IIRC.

I had an old oil boiler in my last house and the servicing chap (brilliant, are you anywhere near Bristle, if so I'll recommend him) checked the efficiency every service. It was close enough to a modern boiler that it would take, say, 10 years to pay back.
Also older boilers tend to be better made, simpler and thus more reliable. If it ain't broke etc

Far better to fit TRVs all round if you haven't already,

regards,
Colin

macman

Get an annual service and leave it be!
It would take a minimum of a decade to recover the capital cost of a new one.

Pincher

Qualifying for some kind of Benefit, aka Credits is almost a must.

My 80+ mother was just a tat too healthy, and her savings just a bit too much. The only thing I managed to grab for her was £400 in boiler scrappage allowance.

If she has around £15k in savings, it's better to go on a cruise to bring it down before you apply. If you apply and fail, and then spend it, they will say you deliberately made her poor and refuse again.

Justinr

Thanks for the quick response.

I agree with the payback, and again I was only assuming the efficiency was bad (it is with our gas boiler @ 60%, and a replacement condensing would be 90%+).

On further inspection the system doesn't have a thermostat. It comes on as programmed and pumps / heats and then switches off as programmed. Also it appears the timeslots for CH & HW need to be the same. The controller is a Potterton EP2002.

What I'm thinking is that installation of a Thermostat would make a huge difference. Or (if its possible) a more modern controller with independent CH & HW times coupled with the thermostat would probably be worthwhile. A wireless thermostat & controller would be perfect since the boiler is in the utility room and the necessary wiring won't be there.

Any suggestions?

Thanks all - and Happy Christmas!

macman

Yes, any system will benefit from the basic controls such as a room 'stat or digital programmer. Not expensive, and much more cost effective than a new boiler!