Official Free Boilers and Insulation guide discussion

midge*

Hi
I applied back in February to Insualation and Boiler Grants for a new boiler as my boiler is 14 years old and I also get the relevant benefits. It was at least May before they sent the surveyor round and June when the fitter came to see us. After many phone calls I was told that they had handed over to Euro-Energy to do the work. We were then passed over to Carillion. A big company I thought so there shouldn't be any problems. They asked for £500 as we required the boiler moving and changing to a combi-boiler. Having been promised many times that the work was going to be done in the next 5 days and that Premier Energy Solutions are now fitting the boiler, we still haven't progressed. Will I be able to get my money back and who is a reliable company to apply again to?

haz25a

Scottishmummy wrote: »

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?

Mmmm, that's interesting. Scottish Gas keep harping on about how Potterton insist that they installed mine in the way they did. That's obviously not true and I've check the installation manual and it says "It is strongly recommended to discharge internally into the household drainage system. If connecting to a rain water drain, that drain MUST discharge into a foul drain."??

At the end of the day my contract is with Scottish/British Gas, so the responsibility lies with them so resolve the matter. Might contact Potterton if need be re installation recommendations though.

Let's hope my MP can help speed things along tomorrow. They are taking the case on as the boiler was installed under a government backed scheme.

haz25a

Hi,

Can I just ask people who have successfully had a new boiler fitted under the Affordable Warmth Scheme, how their drainage pipe was installed (if you know??).

If you've read my previous posts you will see that mine was installed using my outside rainwater pipe which meant the first time we had significant rainfall the water backed up through the boiler flooding my living room:eek:
Any info, if you have it, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

frames1_uk

haz25a wrote: »

Hi,

Can I just ask people who have successfully had a new boiler fitted under the Affordable Warmth Scheme, how their drainage pipe was installed (if you know??).

If you've read my previous posts you will see that mine was installed using my outside rainwater pipe which meant the first time we had significant rainfall the water backed up through the boiler flooding my living room:eek:
Any info, if you have it, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I think mine was joined to the washing machine drainage pipe, but I'm presuming that's how the old boiler worked too.

haz25a

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/62951717#Comment_62951717

This link provides another thread on here that some of you might find interesting.

peterth125

We contacted EDF and EON about 6 weeks ago to enquire about the free boilers and to date have had no one out from EON but have had first inspection and 2nd survey by EDF followed by phone call asking if we wanted to go ahead with the new boiler.

Unfortunately we had to decline the offer as they could only fund the boiler but we would have to pay for all new radiators and pipework and our laminate floors in most rooms would need to be taken up. That will be too expensive for us at the moment as we are on Pension Credit
As our existing boiler is in good working order (even though it is 37 years old ) we will just have to take a chance on it keep on going for a few years longer.

When we eventually hear from EON I think they also use Dyson and therefore will probably get only the boiler funding again.

nnik

I applied through EON months ago. Eventually got a phone call on 13th August, answered lots of questions and was told we'd qualify. Was given a job number and told that someone would contact us to arrange a survey. Last week, my partner had a call to arrange a date but was also told that we might not qualify as they are now only replacing broken boilers. Does anyone know if the rules have changed on this? Our boiler is really old but does still work and I thought this scheme was about fuel efficiency. I have had to contact my landlord and everything but it seems that I have just wasted mine and his time.

pumpkins123

My husband spoke to British Gas and EDF yesterday regarding the free boiler scheme and was told that he doesn't qualify even though he is registered disabled, and is classed as "a War Pensioner with higher class mobility", he was told the schemes not for disabled or people over 60 years. My husband is only 44 years old, maybe as hes classed as a "war pensioner" they thought he was over 60!

He advised them that it does say on the website one of the qualifying criteria is if someone is disabled in your house, which they totally denied and said if we were on Incapacity benefit, child tax credits then we would qualify but because he's disabled then we don't qualify.

Our boiler is over 20 years old and we are always being told by British Gas that they can't get the parts anymore, all we can hope is the boiler doesn't breakdown as we cannot afford £3k+ that BG has quoted us for a new boiler and then my kids will be without heating.

Has anybody else experienced this response? Any info/advice would be greatfully received.

boingsaidzebedee

pumpkins123---

The conditions to be eligible are many but would this be relevant to you----
"Child Tax Credits & have a household income of less than £15,860"

Or ---
"Working Tax Credit and has a relevant income of £15,860 or less?
Plus one of these
Parental responsibility for a child under 16 or under the age of 20 in full time education.
Is in receipt of a disabled worker element or severe disability element.
Is aged 60 or over."

If British Gas say that anyone over 60 can't have a free boiler then I'm in serious poo because I'm over 60 and had a new boiler installed yesterday.

Suggest you go to the Energy Savings Trust people to get the correct information.
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Take-action/Find-a-grant/Green-Deal-and-ECO




I ditched the big energy suppliers offering this scheme and went instead to a local company.From initial phone call to boiler fitted and up and running was 5 working days.Plus a personal service from local people,first class work and standards.You do not have to use the big energy companies and I recommend finding a local company who offer the scheme.
With some of the energy companies there would seem to be a lack of accountability and questionable time scale.As seen from the posts of some people who have gone down this route.

haz25a

pumpkins123 wrote: »

My husband spoke to British Gas and EDF yesterday regarding the free boiler scheme and was told that he doesn't qualify even though he is registered disabled, and is classed as "a War Pensioner with higher class mobility", he was told the schemes not for disabled or people over 60 years. My husband is only 44 years old, maybe as hes classed as a "war pensioner" they thought he was over 60!

He advised them that it does say on the website one of the qualifying criteria is if someone is disabled in your house, which they totally denied and said if we were on Incapacity benefit, child tax credits then we would qualify but because he's disabled then we don't qualify.

Our boiler is over 20 years old and we are always being told by British Gas that they can't get the parts anymore, all we can hope is the boiler doesn't breakdown as we cannot afford £3k+ that BG has quoted us for a new boiler and then my kids will be without heating.

Has anybody else experienced this response? Any info/advice would be greatfully received.

British Gas are all about sales, sales sales, money, money, money. They told me I would have difficulty getting parts the minute my Worcester boiler turned 10 years old! They can use generic parts.

I'm sorry I didn't do more research into condensing boilers before my installation, if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have bothered! My 12 year old Worcester boiler was working perfectly well, I got a Potterton boiler installed by British Gas on 6th August, connected to rainwater pipe and it backed up, flooding my property twice and the boiler is now knackered. British Gas are refusing to install a new one so the matter is now with my MP. I have had no hot water or central heating for two weeks now!

Old boilers were built to last. The average lifespan of a condensing boiler is apparently 10 years and most of the parts are plastic.

My advice is, if your boiler is working fine then leave the condensing ones alone until you absolutely have too. I wish I had!