Official Free Boilers and Insulation guide discussion

Smiley_Dan

If you're talking about CWI, the cost isn't that bad to get it done privately. I did and worked out about 4-5 year ROI.

There's also the added benefit that you can choose the best material e.g poly bead. Normally the cheap installs are done with blown fibre which are more prone to failure and installation !!!! ups.

Finally, also, at least you can be assured that with a full fill cavity your installed U values (covering cavity draughts) are better than you would have if it were done with batts.

captainhindsight_2

Smiley_Dan wrote: »

No there isn't. These schemes are-what-they-are, and great if you happen to be well informed. But don't think lip service and a few tenners they have found down the back of the sofa makes up a commitment to domestic energy efficiency.

This government has done more than the previous government did in 12 years regarding domestic efficiency. The only thing that has got in the way is politics, and ed millibands silly idea to freeze ener prices. If that was never mentioned as a genuine policy the obligated energy companies would not have pulled out so violently from their obligations and used this as a massive bargaining tool to reduce their obligations (with overwhelming support from labour and e media) because the media and labour didn't know what they were pushing the government into thus the position we are in today where Eco does not pay the full coast of replacing a boiler from the most vulnerable or even loft insulation. Thank god this government has carried the obligations onto 2020 so would should see an uplift early next year, if labour had their way this scheme would have disappeared a long time ago and would be replaced with cash going to the fuel poor so straight in to the bg 6 pockets because of the inefficient properties where as this policy costs less and saves the occupiers more money that labours proposals

Smiley_Dan

Well, I don't have a political point to make, but I would say look at the stats (https://energyprofessional.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/dukes-energy-efficiency/). The rate of increase of insulation installations have fallen significantly since 2012 when ECO replaced CERT; there's a clear trend. So your suggestion that the uplift will continue rather pales into comparison with the past. The uplift doesn't count for much when it barely scratches the surface.

I would say that I think involving the energy companies in this is ridiculous. The whole point of these schemes should be to damage their business. There's no point involving them because they want to water everything down. Read their responses to the ECO consultations. It'd be funny if it weren't so serious for the UK's energy security.

This government are also NOT serious about their obligations. For example, the recent announcement of cheap homes which needn't have energy efficiency built in. It's a crazy, short termist view. This government, and can I say again I'm not trying to be political here because I doubt the other side would do anything else, but this government are NOT serious about this. They are paying lip service.

MissPisces1962

I received my £50 gift card from BG after having loft insulation being done in June. When I first rang them to arrange for someone to come out to assess my loft I was asked if there was much stuff in the loft. I replied that there was a fair bit and was told I would be eligible for £150 towards clearing the loft. Was anyone else told this as I haven't heard anything else since then?

glen_moranjie

If this fits better in another forum moderators feel free to move it.

Let me recount my experiences with this scheme. (pull up a chair - this may take a while !)

In oct 2013 my elderly Aunt (79 years of age and living on her own) was contacted by unsolicited phone call by a company called 'Tivium' and was asked if she was interested in a new free replacement central heating boiler.

My Aunt is a widow on benefits. Her CHB is over 20 years old. Naturally but unwisely she said yes.

A young lady duly called round and after making my Aunt all manner of assurances in writing:-

(this without ever leaving the kitchen and seeing subject boiler)

" I can offer you the Premium Boiler Package for £199.00"
"Guaranteed top of the range Worcester Bosch boiler"
"Magna Clean (worth up to £180.00 fitted)"
"Top quality thermostatic radiator valves"
"Fully managed funding service"

My Aunt paid the lady £199.00 in cash and obtained a receipt for the "Tivium fully managed premium ECO service.

Some unsympathetic readers may say 'how silly' etc but this lovely lady has little experience of the 'hard_bitten' World most of us inhabit. Born/raised/always lived in the same rural village. Never owned a car. No understanding or experience of the internet. Auntie stills lives in a World where people tell the truth and can be trusted.

One year later she has nothing from this company and no follow up appointment to inspect her boiler.

I live 150 miles away from Auntie and unfortunately only heard this sorry story in june this year when we visited.

Online research shows Tivium are not Dept of Energy registered 'Green Deal Assessors' and despite taking money from 1000's of customers they have assisted in less than 1% of installations for these people.

I took this up on behalf of Auntie, I sent two recorded letters (1st ignored) demanding a refund. They replied to the 2nd letter stating that she had 7 days cancellation period from signing that had long expired so "we are unable to offer you a refund"

I had warned Tivium that I would resort to the 'small claims court' for redress and indeed had downloaded the necessary forms. Before doing this I spoke to Consumers Advice for their thoughts. Unbeknown to me they passed this on to North Yorkshire trading standards who phoned me out of the blue. A very helpful lady suggested I leave it with her.

Some 2 weeks or so later this same lady contacted me and said that Tivium had agreed a refund and we should receive it before october.

A couple of days later I received a email from Tivium:

" After a thorough investigation of your account I can confirm you are entitled to a refund."

So, result we thought. Auntie was overjoyed, £200.00 is a lot of money to her.

01 oct and no refund received.

We have now received a letter from Gateshead Council Trading Standards. (Tivium trades out of Newcastle/Gateshead and has offices in London I understand.) Gateshead had been contacted by North Yorkshire trading standards.

It appears Gateshead trading standards are well aware of Tivium's business practices and have been in regular dialogue with them in an attempt to get them on the straight 'n' narrow. It was this dialogue that prompted Tivium's offer of a refund, however the letter says:
"Gateshead Trading Standards are no longer in dialogue with Tivium and are therefore unable to pursue individual complaints or chase up any outstanding refunds"

I have spoken to Gateshead Trading Standards and it appears they are compiling a case report with a view to taking criminal and civil proceedings against Tivium. However Tivium are still trading and Trading Standards do not have the power to stop them at this time.

I am also aware of at least 15 people who have issued a small claims court summons against Tivium and won and none have received refunds !

Yes, I understand that we have the option of hiring Bailiffs to seize goods to the value of what we are owned but there is a possibility that Tivium are in hired offices etc with very little of value belonging to them.

So what a sorry state of affairs. From the Government scheme (no longer funded I understand) that is poorly implemented and regulated. Cowboy companies who use these Government schemes to take advantage of elderly and less well informed members of the public. Finally Trading standards who have been extremely helpful to me but whilst having comprehensive knowledge of wrongdoing do not have a mandate to stop rogue companies trading whilst investigations continue.

I hope this 'tome' prevents someone else having a bad experience with thoughts of a "Free Boiler"

captainhindsight_2

It is very bad what tivium is doing, but as you said they have nothing to do with the green deal or eco so don't let this put people off having work done under these schemes from genuine companies. What you must do is check the green deal participants register for real accredited companies if you want any work done under the green deal or eco.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Anyone know at which date point are electric storage heaters are going to be defined as as a “qualifying boiler” under the Green Steal, such that the repair or replacement of a broken or not functioning electric storage heater is subject to the same scoring mechanism as the repair or replacement of a current “qualifying boiler” ?

captainhindsight_2

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Anyone know at which date point are electric storage heaters are going to be defined as as a “qualifying boiler” under the Green Steal, such that the repair or replacement of a broken or not functioning electric storage heater is subject to the same scoring mechanism as the repair or replacement of a current “qualifying boiler” ?

It always has been...

They have to be replaced with fan assisted storage heaters, it's just that hardly any one has gone through the effort to be certified to offer it because hardly any one wants storage heaters....because they are terrible!

Also don't get the steal reference...

Thinker1511

Can I get insulation to fit my self. My loft has lots of stuff in and this seams to stop providers wanting to do the work. I am happy to do it myself but would like to get the insulation free is I can.

captainhindsight_2

Thinker1511 wrote: »

Can I get insulation to fit my self. My loft has lots of stuff in and this seams to stop providers wanting to do the work. I am happy to do it myself but would like to get the insulation free is I can.

no, it has to be fitted by approved fitters.

If you want to do it your self you are going to have to empty the loft anyway, so why not just empty the loft and let them do it for free?