British Gas Energy Trust Free boiler

Jamc4659

Hello,

Just wanted to see if any one has had any experiences with getting a 'free' boiler through the British Gas Energy Trust.

We applied for a grant a few years ago to help with with an energy debt from British Gas. Which we got. Yesterday we received a letter stating " In order to help customers of British Gas manage their bills going forward the Trust also offer grants to HOME OWNERS for new boilers to ensure the most efficient use of gas and to help customers save money on their energy bills. The British Gas Energy Trust considers applications from homeowners who can show evidence of a condemned or inefficient (F-G-rated or over ten years old) boiler. Evidence of vulnerability within the household will strengthen an application, e.g old age, chronic/terminal illness or disability, as will support from an appropriate professional confirming need/vulnerability." Then it lists what the application must include etc.

It sounds far too good to be true. We have lived in our house for over 10 years and have never replaced it. We have it checked yearly and it is ok. Never had it graded. But may consider applying and see what happens. I am just worried that we will end up with a more inferior boiler and have more problems with it as we have never had any problems with or current one. But we dread thinking about something happening. To be honest have very over average gas bills in the winter time, we cannot get insulation as British gas came out to assess and were told it wouldn't help us and would possible damage our house. We use the gas as little as possible and yet we still have £500-£600 quarterly gas bills in the winter.

We wonder if they are going to give us the something that will end up making our situation worse and with a disabled Child and husband and us paying over 22% of our income for gas and electricity, I just don't know what to do for the best.

Anyone who has had a new boiler through this scheme, I would grateful for your input. Any other comment appreciated.

Many thanks.

macman

Make and model of your current boiler? If it's running OK, parts available and annually serviced then why change it?
There's no guarantee of course that you would be offered a free boiler replacement-you simply appear to meet the initial requirements for application.

Jamc4659

macman wrote: »

Make and model of your current boiler? If it's running OK, parts available and annually serviced then why change it?
There's no guarantee of course that you would be offered a free boiler replacement-you simply appear to meet the initial requirements for application.

It is a Baxi Bermuda Inset 2- back boiler. Looks like it is an F rates boiler. Will need to get it checked out. Surely I can't be worse off could I?

macman

Depends what heap of modern junk they offer to install-you might get a Ferroli!
However you're presumably not obliged to accept the install by applying.

tomoulds

I looked into this, and found a company ( [www .NHEH.co. uk [/url] ) who told me that if your boiler is below 86% efficient then they can fit a brand new one through British Gas.
The government and energy companies are working together, it's called ECO, Energy Company Obligation means they will pay for it all if your on benefits. Google ECO deal

Scottishmummy

Get in touch with the Energy Savings Trust. They will talk you through the schemes that are available, work out if you are eligible and then they get in touch with the DWP to confirm that you are eligible. They will then get in touch with the energy company of your choice - doesn't have to be who you are with, to arrange a survey.

I have just had a new boiler, new radiators and top up of insulation via Scottish Gas. The boiler is a Potterton which is the one allowed on this scheme but some schemes are boiler only but are Vallient boilers.

If you don't ask you don't get.

Scottishmummy

Further experiences on this thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4689703

LJ1

Hi ....I am a British Gas customer ....i had a very old combi boiler in my house over 16 years old....which after breaking down a couple of times British gas told me that they were running low on spare parts so in future they might not be able to repair......after some research i discovered I might qualify for the ECO deal boiler grant....I made enquiries to a company called Sprint Energy - based in scotland....and am pleased to say i qualified for the grant and got my new boiler installed yesterday.....I have so far been pleased with the service i got from them...the boiler may not be the best on the market...but i am on my own, with 1 child and on a low income...so i am very grateful that I qualified and got the boiler,

Matthewfairley

LJ1 wrote: »

Hi ....I am a British Gas customer ....i had a very old combi boiler in my house over 16 years old....which after breaking down a couple of times British gas told me that they were running low on spare parts so in future they might not be able to repair......after some research i discovered I might qualify for the ECO deal boiler grant....I made enquiries to a company called Sprint Energy - based in scotland....and am pleased to say i qualified for the grant and got my new boiler installed yesterday.....I have so far been pleased with the service i got from them...the boiler may not be the best on the market...but i am on my own, with 1 child and on a low income...so i am very grateful that I qualified and got the boiler,

Hi there this company have contacted me about a new boiler and i have been giving it some thought. How is the boiler now?
Still working okay?

frugal888

Jamc4659 wrote: »

Hello,

Just wanted to see if any one has had any experiences with getting a 'free' boiler through the British Gas Energy Trust.


Many thanks.

Hi

Hope this helps, I applied through the EST (I'm in Scotland) and had my new boiler within three weeks. The guys, all six of them (one person each did a separate thing, plumbing, woodwork, outside, etc) and within a few hours it was all tidied up - by them - and bagged to be uplifted the next day.

So, I'm delighted, my boiler was 10 years old and I can already feel the huge difference in the heat coming from the radiators. Am a happy bunny except for the fact that despite ringing them several times they still haven't replaced the guard that goes on the outside of the flue at the back of the house.

Apart from that, I am thrilled. Thanks for the new boiler, folks! :T
As someone who just could not have afforded to renew it myself, I am deeply grateful.

P.S. My aunt had her new boiler installed last week after waiting two weeks, they had to uplift floorboards in all the rooms but were very polite and again, tidy, you wouldn't know they'd been there - except for the heat!