Oil Central Heating and Warranties

7roland8

In Wales we had a new boiler and oil tank fitted as I am disabled. The Firebird boiler was covered under the scheme for 2 years which is now up.

I am wondering about boiler and/or electrics cover?

I have been reading so many horror stories and do not know who to go with - also many only seem to cover gas boilers.

We have just had our second service so are now on our own - we have such a complicated system I dread if anything goes wrong.

Our boiler is outside and we have a timer in the airing cupboard - this has already gone wrong once and had to be replaced - which makes me worry it might happen again (its a Honeywell ST9400A programmer). No one seems concerned that parts where fitted that broke down after just 18 months.

I know some people just have the annual service and hope for the best - but I am worried that we might have expensive problems that we cannot afford to fix.

Reading threads on here it all seems to be negative about these boiler warranties with no one really recommending any.

Ideally I would like the boiler and electrics to be covered - but finding the money for anything will be a struggle.

Cardew

I would send an email to the boiler manufacturer and ask if they have approved servicing firms in your area, and/or ask neighbours iif they have recommendations.

My choice would be to put a little money away each month rather than take out a servicing contract.

Personally I wouldn't bother with insurance cover for electrics.

7roland8

Thanks Cardew - have been trying to sound out locals and will follow your suggestion to ask the manufacturers.
Cheers.

G_M

1) Open a savings account just for this. Find one (maybe an online savings account?) that pays a bit of interest.

Pay in £10 every month (less than you'd pay for a boiler insurance cover). After 6months you'll have a £60+ 'emergency fund' for breakdowns. After 12 months.....

2) Find a good local oil boiler technician. Ideally have him service the boiler every year - and keep his phone number so you can call him if there's a problem.

OFTEC is the organisation that registers and maintains the quality of oil teckies - use their website to find one.

3) house electrics really almost never go wrong (unless you start doing DIY electrics!).

As an alternative (or as well) some buildings insurance policies include emergency breakdown cover for heating, electrics etc. So when you renew your home insurance consider a policy with this. Bear in mind the cover is limited. It only covers real emergencies (ie NO heating), not minor repairs (eg boiler making a funny noise...), but the cover is either free with the house insurance, or very cheap add-on.