Official Free Boilers and Insulation guide discussion

EastMidlandsUser

Hi, I'm trying to find out if there are any grants available for replacement of a solid fuel central heating boiler? Our boiler is 40+ years old, and our (detached) 1925 house is solid wall too. We think we would be able to make significant savings on our fuel bill if we could replace the existing boiler with a modern gas one, and also insulate the solid walls. I am in receipt of contributions-based job seekers allowance. We live in the East Midlands. Has anyone in a similar situation to our had any success in obtaining help with the purchase of a new gas boiler please?

vbrindle

CashisKing wrote: »

So disappointed after the energy assessor from British Gas visited today.

Apparently they need 35sqm of loft space to make it worthwhile and our loft is 10x2.9.

The cavity walls are not eligible either as 2/3rds of the area of them are not cavities, even though 3 out of 4 walls are cavity walls!

British Gas are the only firm I could find offering free insulation (unless on benefits). Does anyone know of any other firms?

I had a similar issue, they arranged the survey and the guy was only here 5 mins. He said there's problems insulating cavities of stone brick properties and because there's a loft conversion they couldn't insulate that.

Another cold winter coming I think...

captainhindsight_2

CashisKing wrote: »

So disappointed after the energy assessor from British Gas visited today.

Apparently they need 35sqm of loft space to make it worthwhile and our loft is 10x2.9.

The cavity walls are not eligible either as 2/3rds of the area of them are not cavities, even though 3 out of 4 walls are cavity walls!

British Gas are the only firm I could find offering free insulation (unless on benefits). Does anyone know of any other firms?

There are hundreds of companies offering free insulation, just go to the green deal participants register and search for a company that is certified to offer the insulation that you are interested in.

There is no requirement to be on benefits, you just have to have a cavity wall that is 'cost effective' to insulate to get it for free, so if your cavity is unusual or hard to treat you may have to make a contribution.

Blackknight_2

Greetings All
I trust that I will not bang on to much but we would appreciate some working advice.
My 85 year old mother lives on her own in her own house. In early 2013 and after reading much information about free boiler installation and that her boiler is also showing her age she contacted Climate Energy Ltd of Witham for help. She received a return call and a home survey by their rep in June of 2013. After examining every room and cupboard and after completing a detailed questionnaire the agent (Name Held) stated that she was entitled and eligible for 10O% funding and that the Company would contact her ASP. This did not happen. She attempted to contact them many time which failed.
The last time she contacted them was the 30 Apr 2014 but the normal "Sorry our Lines are Busy" story forced her once more to abort her call. However she did receive a return call on the 1st May 14. She explained her concerns about the lack of contact and activity from the company where the caller stated that they would look into the matter and get back to her. Yes you got it, They did'nt. I initiated an email to them on the 12 Sept 14 which must have prompted them to call her later that day. Although they denied receiving any email, convenient.
They now state that they run out funding for this project in Nov 2013 and that they could not help.
Why did they not call to inform her of this? They couldn't answer that. Why had it taken so long for them to initiate any action was also a question they couldn't answer.
They did say that she should contact her own supplier, which I believe is also advised on this site.
This she did today (15 Sep) but they stated that did not and have never participated in a replacement boiler service but did state that she could purchase one which would be invoiced on her monthly bills. No mention of the scrapage deal.

Unfortunately I am too far away from her to be on the ground (HM Forces in Germany) would I would like to be able to point her in the right direction. She lost her daughter to a brain tumor earlier this year so it has been hard for to concentrate on this important matter.

Thank you for your attention
BK

Anastas

Told on 6th July i was eligible for £1000 grant toward a new boiler. Details passed on to another company who arranged to visit on 29th July. Was told he Green Deal Home Improvement Fund had closed on July 24th and I would now have to pay the full amount of £3182.

Wasn't told it may re open in March 2015 or that the cashback arrangement was only valid where customers were willing to fit a new boiler in addition to a separate flue heat recovery system, with the latter increasing the initial outlay by around £700-800. As such, the cashback was largely designed to cover the cost of the additional device, rather than act as a £1000 rebate against the boiler itself. Before the deal closed If i had not chosen to fit such a device as part of the installation, i wouldn’t have qualified for any cashback under the GDHIF rules, but in saying that i would have saved myself the £700-800 additional cost that i would have to pay in order to qualify (hope this makes sense).

Anyway, new boiler fitted 3 weeks ago.
Buyer beware:-
1. Don't attatch a power shower to it. My fitter did and it blew all the seals apart. £85 emergency plumber callout and the cost of a replacemnt shower and tiling pending.
2. Combi boiler dropped my water flow so much had to have a mains water booster fitted - another £500.
3. Gas fire and back boiler completely removed - bill for new fire and remedial work pending.

Faults and concerns over fitting +++. Waiting for a Gas Safe inspection.

If you are going to get a new boiler please make sure your appliances, water flow etc are checked first. Please use a company yo know and trust - not just the one you are referred to by the Green Deal people.
Finally, if you are having your copper pipes and water tank removed ask if you can keep it. It's worth about £300 if you take it to your local scrap merchant.
Another lesson i learnt too late!!

Anastas

Hi BlackKnight
Not sure this will be of help, when Mum have her survey she had just applied for an assessment to see whether her property qualified for the cashback (which is calculated using an Energy Performance assessment) rather than for the cashback itself. The process would then follow , if her Energy Performance assessment had indicated she was entitled to claim a cashback (which it did) they should have advised her to apply for the relevant cashback voucher via the DECC website. I'm guessing by the offhand way they have dealt with her they were more interested in making a sale than helping her. The GreenDeal has closed for this year but may reopen in March 2015. May be worth asking Citizens Advice or Help the Aged if they could help her out.

captainhindsight_2

Blackknight wrote: »

Greetings All
I trust that I will not bang on to much but we would appreciate some working advice.
My 85 year old mother lives on her own in her own house. In early 2013 and after reading much information about free boiler installation and that her boiler is also showing her age she contacted Climate Energy Ltd of Witham for help. She received a return call and a home survey by their rep in June of 2013. After examining every room and cupboard and after completing a detailed questionnaire the agent (Name Held) stated that she was entitled and eligible for 10O% funding and that the Company would contact her ASP. This did not happen. She attempted to contact them many time which failed.
The last time she contacted them was the 30 Apr 2014 but the normal "Sorry our Lines are Busy" story forced her once more to abort her call. However she did receive a return call on the 1st May 14. She explained her concerns about the lack of contact and activity from the company where the caller stated that they would look into the matter and get back to her. Yes you got it, They did'nt. I initiated an email to them on the 12 Sept 14 which must have prompted them to call her later that day. Although they denied receiving any email, convenient.
They now state that they run out funding for this project in Nov 2013 and that they could not help.
Why did they not call to inform her of this? They couldn't answer that. Why had it taken so long for them to initiate any action was also a question they couldn't answer.
They did say that she should contact her own supplier, which I believe is also advised on this site.
This she did today (15 Sep) but they stated that did not and have never participated in a replacement boiler service but did state that she could purchase one which would be invoiced on her monthly bills. No mention of the scrapage deal.

Unfortunately I am too far away from her to be on the ground (HM Forces in Germany) would I would like to be able to point her in the right direction. She lost her daughter to a brain tumor earlier this year so it has been hard for to concentrate on this important matter.

Thank you for your attention
BK

The scheme HHCRO a part of ECO which paid for these installations ran out of money around that time.

I am sure that they had 100s of customers who they had spent time and money on to be told without notice they could not carry out the installations.

ECO2 is starting early next year, until then there are no 'free' boilers going.

When ECO2 starts, this same company will be able to carry out the installation or any other Green Deal Installer.

Anastas

Hi BK
Just a thought - if you are in the forces could SSAFA offer some sort of grant for your Mum toward a new boiler?

aggypanthus

Why would SSAFA fund his mums home improvements. ? Surely thats stretching their remit too far?

aggypanthus

Cpt H,

hi,
what, ! No boilers again. ?

I got gas into our 2 flats at last, and both tenants are still arranging home assessment visits from Sprint energy, they haven't been told,soz, no freebies.
Is the funding the same in Scotland. ?

Also, if we end up buying them ourselves, whats best make for a 1, and a 2 bed flat?
combi, but not condensing.
THANKS




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