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New boiler, government scheme - confused

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jasper27
jasper27 Posts: 274 Forumite
Help..
At the moment I have gas central heating, controlled by a back boiler, I've heard about a government scheme where I might be able to upgrade to a combi boiler for free.. ?

I've had a look at the Help-Link website and The Green Deal website and I'm confused.. If I want to get a new boiler will I have to pay approx £150 for an assessment? How do I know who is the best provider to go with?

I'm on a low income and get WTCredits, I have no savings and couldn't afford to pay out any large amounts of money.

I'm on pre-payment meters for both gas and electricity (British Gas for both) Would I be better off with a new boiler or just stick with what I've got?

Thanks in advance :)

Comments

  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The Green Deal is a loan scheme, not a grant. You pay back the entire cost over 10 years via your utility bills, plus 7% interest.
    If your existing system works well thern why change to a combi, even supposing that your property is suitable for one?
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • jasper27 wrote: »
    Help..
    At the moment I have gas central heating, controlled by a back boiler, I've heard about a government scheme where I might be able to upgrade to a combi boiler for free.. ?

    I've had a look at the Help-Link website and The Green Deal website and I'm confused.. If I want to get a new boiler will I have to pay approx £150 for an assessment? How do I know who is the best provider to go with?

    I'm on a low income and get WTCredits, I have no savings and couldn't afford to pay out any large amounts of money.

    I'm on pre-payment meters for both gas and electricity (British Gas for both) Would I be better off with a new boiler or just stick with what I've got?

    Thanks in advance :)

    - read this thread, 99% of what you need to know is there
    - you would be better asking your question in that Green Deal thread
    Disclaimer : Everything I write on this forum is my opinion. I try to be an even-handed poster and accept that you at times may not agree with these opinions or how I choose to express them, this is not my problem. The Disabled : If years cannot be added to their lives, at least life can be added to their years - Alf Morris - ℜ
  • Ecodave
    Ecodave Posts: 223 Forumite
    edited 27 April 2013 at 10:44PM
    You won't have to pay for a green deal assessment as the scheme that you are referring to is the Energy Company Obligation. There will have to be an assessment of your property to establish likely carbon savings, but you shouldn't be paying for it. The energy companies need to provide measures such as boiler replacement to meet their obligation targets, so they should be paying for the assessment.

    There are lots of companies offering boiler replacements currently, Help-link at least have been around a while, and boiler replacement is what they do. I would be asking questions of whichever firm you choose with regards to the financing of ancillary works, such as replacing radiators (if that is necessary?)

    You may want to consider the wisdom of replacing a working boiler, but where the new one is free, and significantly more efficient, then I would be biting their hand off.

    Ps I would imagine you could have a modern regular boiler rather than a combi if that was what you wanted?
  • ollski
    ollski Posts: 943 Forumite
    If you ring bg as they are your provider and ask if they can find someone to give you details on the 'affordable warmth' scheme they should eventually be able to point you in the right direction.
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