Official Free Boilers and Insulation guide discussion

karenr

I have read this thread with some interest and would like to add my tuppenceworth. A year or so ago i contacted Energy Savings Trust (Scotland) who advised that our boiler was not deemed as being eligible for replacement, so this was left to lie. Mid July this year, I received out of the blue a phone call from this department advising that the rules had changed slightly and we may now be eligible. After a fairly lengthy (but very informative) conversations, very pleasant chap said that we would be eligible and would only need confirmation from DWP about the benefits we were on. This would take approx 7 - 10 days. within the week we receive a phone call to confirm that we would be eligible and that a British Gas person would call. They would need to see proof of benefit entitlement (in this instance ESA and Higher rate DLA), proof that we owned the property, a utility bill and proof of who we were. Given the amount of people trying to "buck the system" with fraudulant claims, we did not consider this an intrusion of our privacy and could see why this information was needed. Meeting with the British Gas rep went very well. All rooms were measured, questions asked re insulation, additional heating we required to supplement the GCH etc. All this was fed into the computer and it was then deemed that we qualified for this help. A few days later we received a phone call from a subcontractor of BG asking for a site survey. This was done, all rooms would have the radiators replaced (with the exception of the bathroom, but the fairly recent towel rail would be reconnected) and of course the boiler. The surveyors report would be fed back to BG and a date would be arranged for the install. 2 Days later we receive a call and a date (within the week) was arranged. 2 Days prior to the install, the subcontractors call to confirm that what we had agreed had been done prior to the install (in our case a cupboard from our kitchen temporarily removed and access to upstairs).
We were advised the engineers would be on site for 8:00 and they arrived promptly. The work took 1 1/2 day, workmen excellent. Very detailed paperwork and full instructions in the use of the new controls - easy to use. we have had a further inspection from both the subcontractor and British Gas regarding the install to ensure that everything was done properly and to our satisfaction, which it was. All in all a very straightforward but much appreciated help in securing a new central heating system. From start to finish, it took less than 4 weeks, roll on the winter :-)

whyleric

Just wanted to have a bit of a moan really. Why should this offer be just for people on benefits? I have a non efficient boiler but I can't afford to replace it. Both myself and my wife work full time but we live pretty much hand to mouth with no disposable income at the end of the month.

ballon

Informed that I can have the new boiler fitted next week, as long as I pay them £500 on the day for the flue!!!!

Richie-from-the-Boro

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Scottishmummy

Well, I am happy to say we now have a shiny new boiler and shiny new radiators.

Guys arrived at 7.30am, I walked them through the house pointing out everything they needed to know. We left just before 8.00am, returned at 4.00pm. They talked us through the controls. I walked through the house to make sure I was happy with how things had been left. All the old boiler, radiators and pipework had already been removed by another company and they had tidied everything up apart from where the radiators had been standing outside there was some black sludge on the driveway that we needed to hose down.

The hot water is much quicker in heating up. The hottest it can get to is 60degrees but that is more than hot enough. For the first time I had to add cold water to the bath. The central heating was on when we first arrived back and was working well. It is off now as not needed yet. It took a little longer from start to finish for us than others I think but that is because we chose to have an extra radiator replaced that wasn't covered by the scheme and had to wait on the cheque clearing. All in all though we have been very happy with everything since the first contact with the Energy Savings Trust, the contact and updates from Scottish Gas and all of the guys we dealt with from the sub-contractor too.

And for those of you that have been worried about personal info/paperwork being taken/photographed the EST dealt direct with the DWP to check if we qualified and the first guy from Scottish Gas just looked at our mortgage statement, my driving licence, our council tax bill and my baby's birth certificate and ticked various boxes on his sheet. No photographs taken whatsoever and no paperwork has needed to leave the house.

Scottishmummy

ballon wrote: »

Informed that I can have the new boiler fitted next week, as long as I pay them £500 on the day for the flue!!!!

Which scheme are you going through as mine has just been replaced and the flue was part of it? Or does yours need to be moved and extra long? £500 is extortionate for a flue.

ka7e

We had our EPC assessment done yesterday, by friendly chap from Dyson Energy. It took over 2 hours as we have a complicated layout - basement, loft room, unheated conservatory which contains a heated wet room. He took external and internal pictures, photographed our deeds and Pension Credit enittlement letter, drew a detailed floor plan with ceiling heights (to work out heat loss potential) and checked all the light fittings. He advised that we came out as a G rating so would qualify for a new boiler.

I know the company does external insulation for older properties, but he said it was unlikely to be suitable for our house, so I hope we don't get a sales pitch as part of the follow up!

We should hear from one of their heating engineers in the next few weeks to arrange a site visit to check what is required and whether the boiler will have to be re-sited.

ballon

Scottishmummy wrote: »

Which scheme are you going through as mine has just been replaced and the flue was part of it? Or does yours need to be moved and extra long? £500 is extortionate for a flue.

at moment I have a back boiler with flu going up chimney, new boiler going in airing cupboard so flu just out through the roof. I think it a rip off .

haz25a

Scottishmummy wrote: »

Well, I am happy to say we now have a shiny new boiler and shiny new radiators.

Guys arrived at 7.30am, I walked them through the house pointing out everything they needed to know. We left just before 8.00am, returned at 4.00pm. They talked us through the controls. I walked through the house to make sure I was happy with how things had been left. All the old boiler, radiators and pipework had already been removed by another company and they had tidied everything up apart from where the radiators had been standing outside there was some black sludge on the driveway that we needed to hose down.

The hot water is much quicker in heating up. The hottest it can get to is 60degrees but that is more than hot enough. For the first time I had to add cold water to the bath. The central heating was on when we first arrived back and was working well. It is off now as not needed yet. It took a little longer from start to finish for us than others I think but that is because we chose to have an extra radiator replaced that wasn't covered by the scheme and had to wait on the cheque clearing. All in all though we have been very happy with everything since the first contact with the Energy Savings Trust, the contact and updates from Scottish Gas and all of the guys we dealt with from the sub-contractor too.

And for those of you that have been worried about personal info/paperwork being taken/photographed the EST dealt direct with the DWP to check if we qualified and the first guy from Scottish Gas just looked at our mortgage statement, my driving licence, our council tax bill and my baby's birth certificate and ticked various boxes on his sheet. No photographs taken whatsoever and no paperwork has needed to leave the house.

That's great news! So glad it all went well for you.:):undecided Is your boiler now attached to your outside drain/down pipe or did they use another method. Apparently there are three different ways to do it? :undecided

Unfortunately, a week later, I still have no hot water or central heating so have an appointment with my MP on Monday.

Scottishmummy

haz25a wrote: »

That's great news! So glad it all went well for you.:):undecided Is your boiler now attached to your outside drain/down pipe or did they use another method. Apparently there are three different ways to do it? :undecided

Unfortunately, a week later, I still have no hot water or central heating so have an appointment with my MP on Monday.

We were told by the technical surveyor they would have a pipe going to the same outlet as the washing machine but what they have actually done is plumb it into the drainage pipe under the sink.

That is not so good for you though. :mad: Have you tried Potterton direct or the sub-contractors?