Official Free Boilers and Insulation guide discussion

writeaboutnow

... meanwhile, back at the boilerless ranch have had a few call-backs from local installers advising they're unable to help with funding as they're not registered with the Green Deal scheme - apparently, it costs £8k to register so that could account for why GD participants are a bit thin on the ground in the wild south-west... so as I've drawn a blank in that respect, I either sit tight, hold my fire and wait for British Gas to call OR find £600 for a company I have no faith in and want no further dealings with. The only other idea that was suggested to me by a local business with a good reputation, is that it might be just a part that needs replacing (heating exchange?) which would cost around £200+ with labour on top. I feel I could be throwing good money after bad... on the other hand, it might work and I'd be 'saving' £400. It kind of depends on how long British Gas take to get the ball rolling... any opinions out there on any of the above very welcome!

wishicouldaffordit

writeaboutnow wrote: »

... meanwhile, back at the boilerless ranch have had a few call-backs from local installers advising they're unable to help with funding as they're not registered with the Green Deal scheme - apparently, it costs £8k to register so that could account for why GD participants are a bit thin on the ground in the wild south-west... so as I've drawn a blank in that respect, I either sit tight, hold my fire and wait for British Gas to call OR find £600 for a company I have no faith in and want no further dealings with. The only other idea that was suggested to me by a local business with a good reputation, is that it might be just a part that needs replacing (heating exchange?) which would cost around £200+ with labour on top. I feel I could be throwing good money after bad... on the other hand, it might work and I'd be 'saving' £400. It kind of depends on how long British Gas take to get the ball rolling... any opinions out there on any of the above very welcome!

Who is funding your installation - I was asked to contribute, but emailed the CEO of E.On and the charge was removed. I think you should chase it up with whoever is paying.

clairea101

My 79 year old grandmother started having her boiler installed on the 11th February through this scheme. Over 2 weeks later she is yet to have hot water and is still having leaks. She has been told to contact tradesmen directly on mobile numbers that aren't answered or who promise to turn up and don't. Her and my aunt, who is registered disabled, currently have to carry kettles of hot water up the stairs to the bathroom. I'm sure companies are getting good bonuses for signing people on to the scheme but no one seems to want to help get it sorted for my poor, old nan.

writeaboutnow

wishicouldaffordit wrote: »

Who is funding your installation - I was asked to contribute, but emailed the CEO of E.On and the charge was removed. I think you should chase it up with whoever is paying.

Maybe I would if the installer wasn't so cagey about revealing anything other than what I have to pay them! Nearly everyone you talk to says that funding has been exhausted, or is about to be, other than the Energy Savings Trust who say no, no, no, it's all fine! This makes me think that the energy suppliers are now reserving all their funding for customers who apply directly to them, rather than dishing it out to Green Deal installers who are applying on behalf of their own potential customers.

writeaboutnow

clairea101 wrote: »

My 79 year old grandmother started having her boiler installed on the 11th February through this scheme. Over 2 weeks later she is yet to have hot water and is still having leaks. She has been told to contact tradesmen directly on mobile numbers that aren't answered or who promise to turn up and don't. Her and my aunt, who is registered disabled, currently have to carry kettles of hot water up the stairs to the bathroom. I'm sure companies are getting good bonuses for signing people on to the scheme but no one seems to want to help get it sorted for my poor, old nan.

This is exactly why I want to have faith in the company who carry out the installation and why I have also spent a lot of time calling local companies to see it they can help with funding. For me, it's as much about proper communication and a good after-sales service, as it is about getting a reliable boiler installed. It's a terrible state of affairs that your grandmother and aunt are having to do this, and that they are totally ignored as well. It seems you need to get angry to get any kind of attention with anything of this kind and even then, you have to fight your case. Perhaps a bit of public "naming and shaming" might get your grandmother the attention she deserves?!

OAP80wallace

clairea101 wrote: »

My 79 year old grandmother started having her boiler installed on the 11th February through this scheme. Over 2 weeks later she is yet to have hot water and is still having leaks. She has been told to contact tradesmen directly on mobile numbers that aren't answered or who promise to turn up and don't. Her and my aunt, who is registered disabled, currently have to carry kettles of hot water up the stairs to the bathroom. I'm sure companies are getting good bonuses for signing people on to the scheme but no one seems to want to help get it sorted for my poor, old nan.

I had a leak after my 'free' boiler was installed. I contacted Citizens Advice who told me to quote the Sale of Goods and Services act of 1982 and to write a recorded delivery letter to the Managing Director of the company giving them 14 days to reply. Swale Heating 'lost' the letter and photograph of leak and I had to fight them for 4 months as well as writing to my MP who sent my letter to the Dept of Energy and they are reporting it to Ofgem 'for their records'. Also contacted the Energy company I first went through, SSE, who helped. Hassle, Hassle, but you need to keep fighting on your gran's behalf if she is not up to it. You will win.(At 80, I like a good fight and this Forum helped a lot to keep me .going.) PS You may find another company won't touch it.

GrouchoMinx

Applied via eon in August. Survey completed and qualify (pension credit). I got lost/mislaid in system. Phoned eon today and have Orion Insulation coming tomorrow, hopefully to deal with cavity wall/loft insulation. Watch this space.

Problem is I live in a village where there is no mains gas. Eon says only gas boilers fitted. Says this is due to cost. Though I can't see how replacing an electric warm air heater (Potterton same age as house so 40+ years and not working at all) with another can be more expensive than a gas boiler/heater.

I'm having a dialogue on Twitter with eon at the moment ...

... I'm suspecting they only fund gas so they get customers on dual fuel levy ???

Not possible for me as electric only option. Am wearing layers of clothing, covering up with duvet in lounge, going to bed fully clothed and sparingly using small fan heater - not efficient, not ecological friendly and not cheap. Brrr - just as well we've had mild winter. Any other suggestions welcome :-D

iwant2savemoney

Thought I would share my experience......

Live in the Staffordshire area and the local radio (Signal 1) keeps playing a advert for Phoenix gas services for the free boiler scheme, filled the online form in about 2nd week of Jan 2014, 1 week later had a phone call to get a boiler inspection, this was done one week later and also photos of our paper work, 2 weeks after that someone else came to do a house survey, 2 weeks and 1 day after that and brand new Vaillant boiler fitted, also fitted a new magnetic cleaner and remote control panel. so from start to end 6 weeks.

OAP80wallace

iwant2savemoney wrote: »

Thought I would share my experience......

Live in the Staffordshire area and the local radio (Signal 1) keeps playing a advert for Phoenix gas services for the free boiler scheme, filled the online form in about 2nd week of Jan 2014, 1 week later had a phone call to get a boiler inspection, this was done one week later and also photos of our paper work, 2 weeks after that someone else came to do a house survey, 2 weeks and 1 day after that and brand new Vaillant boiler fitted, also fitted a new magnetic cleaner and remote control panel. so from start to end 6 weeks.

So glad there is another satisfied customer. It makes it more heartening for others. Never give up!,(as churchill said.)

POLAR_BILL

iwant2savemoney wrote: »

Thought I would share my experience......

Live in the Staffordshire area and the local radio (Signal 1) keeps playing a advert for Phoenix gas services for the free boiler scheme, filled the online form in about 2nd week of Jan 2014, 1 week later had a phone call to get a boiler inspection, this was done one week later and also photos of our paper work, 2 weeks after that someone else came to do a house survey, 2 weeks and 1 day after that and brand new Vaillant boiler fitted, also fitted a new magnetic cleaner and remote control panel. so from start to end 6 weeks.

You were lucky to get good service. I was happy with the outcome of my new boiler but it took close to five months and a lot of phone calls.