Official Free Boilers and Insulation guide discussion

Smiley_Dan

If you keep an eye on the brokerage as soon as you see lots to start selling thats when ECO will go back to delivering free installations. Essentially there is no funding until this starts to happen.

Unfortunately I can't see the brokerage, looks like you need a log in. Government transparency eh?

I would've thought that if the ECO companies are failing to meet the targets at the moment eventually they'll have to catch up... unless they intend on convincing government to reduce the targets again by putting up energy supply prices more.

captainhindsight_2

Smiley_Dan wrote: »

Unfortunately I can't see the brokerage, looks like you need a log in. Government transparency eh?

I would've thought that if the ECO companies are failing to meet the targets at the moment eventually they'll have to catch up... unless they intend on convincing government to reduce the targets again by putting up energy supply prices more.

Try this

That should get you straight onto the results page.

They are way off meeting CERO and CSCO targets, only met 17% of CERO and 33% of CSCO of their targets to 31 March 2014. But they have met 119% of HHCRO target to 31 March 2014.

Theres a couple of problems is IMO. HHCRO has been much cheaper than expected so they've only actually spent a fraction of the money that was anticipated and collected in the green levies to meet their targets.

And in regards to CERO and CSCO which is insulation, not enough people seem to want it even if its free. You'd be amazed how hard it is to try and give people free stuff.

And yes to meet the targets something has to happen soon!

Smiley_Dan

Thanks for that.

not enough people seem to want it even if its free

Well I want it!

Myrtolian

I think my first boiler post may be way back in the discussion but to update you I have a free working boiler, installed and up and running. No hidden charges.

Short story:

I would recommend you use the British Gas affordable warmth team 0800 316 1517 and get the surveyor they send round to do a full survey on the first visit EVEN if the surveyor insists your boiler is too efficient/not eligible for the scheme. I finally got one through being a vulnerable customer. Not sure all their criteria for classing people as vulnerable but having a child under 2 was mentioned. My 9 year old being disabled on the tax credits form seem to have swung it for me.

Long story:

Boiler modern and efficient by scheme standard but broken in January. PCB board gone which would cost a few hundred to replace for them just to find out the problem which would cost a few hundred more to fix.

Local plumbing firm assessed me for free boiler scheme but phoned back saying the scheme had finished. After providing them all my mortgage, tax credit docs and form filling for an hour. Deduced there was no money/incentive for them to fix my boiler and they were lying about the free boiler scheme finishing after a phone call to the national energy helpline who passed my details on my energy provider Scottish Power to assess me.

After the several weeks wait I chased Scottish Power with no joy and then back to the national helpline who said sorry SP had withdrawn from the scheme.

They then referred me to the tel number above and things moved really quickly. However the surveyor did a quick glance the first time at my boiler and told me even though it was broken it was not eligible as it was too modern and efficient (apparently no Ideal range boilers are) however the office send him back to do a proper survey as I am in the vulnerable customer range.

I had a new Valliant boiler and thermostat installed at no charge.

However the gas installer took one look at my gas cooker and condemned it/ disconnected it so I'm now a vulnerable customer with no cooking ability. Not sure whether to laugh or cry.

pippin18

pippin18 wrote: »

For anyone who has been following my post! a brief recap...our boiler packed up on 8th December 2013, contacted Boilergrants.co.uk on 12th Dec, they sent surveyor on 13th Jan 2014 to do survey, was told would get a call in 7/10 days from installer, after 3 weeks and several phone calls we were told sorry you dont qualify for a free boiler you failed on the ECO emissions score (somethink we were never told about) we needed a score of 900+ we had 876. Said we could have boiler through green deal scheme... 2 weeks later they said sorry no funding available this was 16th Feb. they said new funding might be available in 6-8 weeks! and they would call us. I rang Energy advice centre, they took our details, said they had to check with DWP regarding our benefits and as soon as that was done British Gas would contact us hopefully within 2 weeks. British Gas did ring and said they had the information needed from DWP and a surveyor would call us to come out and do the required survey. BUT in he meantime while waiting for the surveyor to call a guy knocked the door regarding the green deal scheme said he could get a surveyor to come and do a energy efficiency report the next day, we said ok ...as we thought it would be interesting to see how this report compared to the one done in Jan by Boilergrants.co.uk. The surveyor said we would get a copy of the report in the post in 2 weeks time, that was 24th March, so 2 week deadline is not quite up but have checked online and its not there yet either. Anyway today (3rd April) British gas surveyor came out... he said hes recommending we get a new free boiler as we are a grade 1 - having 2 children, no heating or hot water. He said although our boiler is 21 years old and not working it would be classed as a grade D efficiency. He said according to the calculations we would only be saving £28 a year, which he said was rubbish, he also said he was pretty confident that we would not have to pay anything towards the boiler but couldnt guarantee it. He said you will get a call from an installer and your boiler should be fitted in the next 2 weeks! He had a call from an installer while he was still at our house and they were going to fit a boiler for a customer who's house he had surveyed last week! He said because we were without heat and hot water ours would be quick too as we were priority. So watch this space!!!! Is it all too good to be true??

After a wait of 23 days since British Gas came out to do our survey we get a call........... This is what they said......... After having a survey done by one of our surveyors we would like to make an appointment for Wednesday 7th May to come and fit your new free boiler! RESULT!!!!! Will keep you posted!!!

pippin18

b!!!23 wrote: »

Ive been on the EST website and apparently we do qualify for a free boiler.

What is the role of the EST? Is it not better to just go direct to the companies??

Go direct to British Gas...we wasted 4 months tring to get a free boiler through 3rd party companies, first of all thru boilergrants.co.uk who when we done the online survey said congratulations you qualify ...only to be told after weeks of chasing them up and numerous phone calls that we didnt due to the fact that we failed on an Eco emmissions score by 24 points. We contacted British Gas who have checked our eligibility through our benefits at DWP, done the survey and given us an installation date for our new free boiler for next week, all within 6 weeks.. We have been without heating and hot water now for 5 months!

pippin18

Smiley_Dan wrote: »

Thanks for that.



Well I want it!

Theres people who want it alright but its getting someone to say ok you qualify that seems to be the problem!

Smiley_Dan

pippin18 wrote: »

Theres people who want it alright but its getting someone to say ok you qualify that seems to be the problem!

Not sure if you've noticed but as discussed above (and in the thread in the LPG/Oil forum) "normal" cavities and also loft insulation are now covered under CERO for everyone... see http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=64972442&postcount=521

But now also see: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=65406532&postcount=859

zebras-ark

Hi everyone:) first post. Saw the MSE header page concerning free boilers and checked it out. Filled out the online form with my energy supplier after checking eligibility criteria. Received reply within two days to say I didn't qualify (cynic in me would guess standard ploy).
Rang this morning to suggest I did qualify and after some time 'on hold' it appears someone 'misread' my online application.
So awaiting next step of confirmation letter regarding assessment.
Was strongly implied that boiler wouldn't be free unless my existing one is broken but am aware of scheme rules and unfortunately for the company I presently have a fair amount of time on my hands.
Will update as events unfold.

roobarbski

Back in February this year I applied for a free boiler (following MSE advice) by contacting the Energy Saving Advice Service - a bit of a long winded process (20 mins on phone) but eventually got there and then waited for British Gas to make contact.
A few weeks later we had a letter from the Energy Saving Advice Service saying that we didn't qualify - after a quick call to them they agreed that we did qualify and that British Gas would surely make contact soon - which they did, promising that a surveyor would call us to make an appointment.
Now, some 5 weeks later, British Gas have just called us.. blaming the government for changing the "rules" and advising that we did not now qualify for any help with a new boiler!

We are now back to square one! I don't know if I should try again for this "free help" - or start looking elsewhere for something that we can't afford but desperately need, along with the associated risks of a low cost solution?