Official Free Boilers and Insulation guide discussion

haz25a

boingsaidzebedee wrote: »

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.

I wish I had gone with a local heating company in hindsight.

pumpkins123

Thanks guys for your info, The only payment my husband gets is a disability payment from the Forces which most of these big Companies have never heard of. Thought it was a bit strange that you don't qualify if you're over 60 not that that is relevant to us.

I think I shall contact a local company who are probably more switched on to it all and see what they say.

Thanks Haz25a you're right British Gas just want your money and more and try scaring us each year into a new boiler and at the moment it's fine so why change.

Good luck with getting yours fixed

haz25a

pumpkins123 wrote: »

Thanks guys for your info, The only payment my husband gets is a disability payment from the Forces which most of these big Companies have never heard of. Thought it was a bit strange that you don't qualify if you're over 60 not that that is relevant to us.

I think I shall contact a local company who are probably more switched on to it all and see what they say.

Thanks Haz25a you're right British Gas just want your money and more and try scaring us each year into a new boiler and at the moment it's fine so why change.

Good luck with getting yours fixed

Thanks. The nights are getting colder up here in Scotland.

Loads of people have boilers over 20 years old. The BG engineers get comission for selling things like boilers, powerflushes etc.

Also, there is conflicting evidence about how much money you actually save with a condensing boiler when you take into account that parts are (apparently) more expensive, they are less reliable and their lifespan.

Regards.

boingsaidzebedee

haz25a---
They recommend connecting the pipework to the internal waste pipe to avoid the possibility of external pipes freezing in cold weather---pertinent in Scotland--as this causes the boiler to fail.
If fitted externally anyone with any sense would use a 32mm.pipe to lessen the possibility of the pipe freezing and blocking.Also if connecting to a rainwater pipe or drain where there is the remote chance of backfilling then some sort of failsafe should be fitted.This should be obvious to anyone--could just be fitting a smaller bore pipe into a larger bore--i.e.32mm.into 40mm.--in a vertical section and not completely sealing,leaving an air gap where backfilling water would flood out rather than flooding back into the boiler.
Hope your problems are soon resolved---just hang in there and good luck.

haz25a

boingsaidzebedee wrote: »

haz25a---
They recommend connecting the pipework to the internal waste pipe to avoid the possibility of external pipes freezing in cold weather---pertinent in Scotland--as this causes the boiler to fail.
If fitted externally anyone with any sense would use a 32mm.pipe to lessen the possibility of the pipe freezing and blocking.Also if connecting to a rainwater pipe or drain where there is the remote chance of backfilling then some sort of failsafe should be fitted.This should be obvious to anyone--could just be fitting a smaller bore pipe into a larger bore--i.e.32mm.into 40mm.--in a vertical section and not completely sealing,leaving an air gap where backfilling water would flood out rather than flooding back into the boiler.
Hope your problems are soon resolved---just hang in there and good luck.

Cheers mate. British Gas are adamant that they are not to blame and that the boiler was fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions, however the installation manual says different. They want me to pay for repairs as they are trying to say there is a problem with my drain. I've lived here for 13 years and have never experienced any problems with my drain. According to BG it is an "Act of God" :shocked: . One engineer was really helpful and suggested a "soakaway" but unfortunately the decision doesn't lie with him.

boingsaidzebedee

The pipe would come from the boiler probably in 21.5 plastic---did this continue all the way to the rainwater pipe ?

As I've said most people would slide a 32mm.on outside to prevent freezing--this would also give a point where pipe could flood if necessary.What size is your condensate pipe in ?

Love the "Act of God "excuse---why not counter with "Act of f*ckwit"

POLAR_BILL

I started applying for a boiler at the beginning of July. I was told by EDF energy that I met the criteria (working tax credit, eligible child, 2 over 60 age adults on low income) but my boiler didn't. My boiler, an Ideal Mexico is 25 years old and after making further enquiries a survey organised through N Power showed the boiler to be 65% effective. British Gas say parts are not available. The surveyor has said the boiler needs replacing so I am hoping for a good result. The process doesn't seem very fast though.

Richie-from-the-Boro

POLAR_BILL wrote: »

I started applying for a boiler at the beginning of July. I was told by EDF energy that I met the criteria (working tax credit, eligible child, 2 over 60 age adults on low income) but my boiler didn't. My boiler, an Ideal Mexico is 25 years old and after making further enquiries a survey organised through N Power showed the boiler to be 65% effective. British Gas say parts are not available. The surveyor has said the boiler needs replacing so I am hoping for a good result. The process doesn't seem very fast though.

British gas tell you everything is unavailable, forever, relentlessly, year after year after year - and eventually they wear you down and you give in and pay them twice as much as an indi for a newer boiler install. They do it to every customer - its what they do.

haz25a

boingsaidzebedee wrote: »

The pipe would come from the boiler probably in 21.5 plastic---did this continue all the way to the rainwater pipe ?

As I've said most people would slide a 32mm.on outside to prevent freezing--this would also give a point where pipe could flood if necessary.What size is your condensate pipe in ?

Love the "Act of God "excuse---why not counter with "Act of f*ckwit"

The outside pipe is 32mm and connects directly into the rainwater pipe. If the MP can't sort it out next week, I'll just have to keep escalating it, Chief Executive of Centrica, Trading Standards, newspapers, and Energy Ombudsman. Like I said, I had a perfectly good working central heating system before and now I'm left with a gubbed boiler. Not good enough BG. Will escalate with the Government as well if need be as it is a Government backed scheme.

haz25a

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

British gas tell you everything is unavailable, forever, relentlessly, year after year after year - and eventually they wear you down and you give in and pay them twice as much as an indi for a newer boiler install. They do it to every customer - its what they do.

Yep! The engineers actually have set targets to meet. They've been fined before for not dealing with customer complaints efficiently but they obviously don't care.