would I qualify?

gele

Hello all, Im wondering if I would qualify for a free boiler and all the other energy effiency stuff that's on offer. My situation isn't the norm although isn't that unusual either. I live with my husband, daughter who is 8 and dad lives with us in a small extension built for that purpose. He is 89. Our annual income is just over the £15k limit that seems to allow people to get this stuff free, but with dads age and the fact he gets pension credit I'm wondering if we would qualify. We own the house - not dad. Also I have been thinking about increasing my pension contributions [ need to build a bigger pot but that's another story]. If I did so, ensuring our net income falls below £15k would this make a difference to the situation re qualifying for stuff or is that cheating. Thanks in advance

Ecodave

You will qualify based on Dads pension credit alone, as long as he is registered as residing at your house. Your income and other circumstances are irrelevant.

gele

Ecodave, Thanks, that's great news. Things are never usually that simple! I expected the answer to be no because we own the house, pay the bills etc not dad. All the energy companies seem to offer these freebies whether you're a customer or not so I'll start ringing around. Is there any one company you'd recommend or suggest as best to go with?

Ecodave

I would probably search for a local installer, many of whom will be working under this scheme. I would also ask what model boiler the installer favours, what length of warranty the boiler comes with and whether or not your heating controls will be upgraded (if they aren't up to building regs already that is). If you want advice on the model of boiler, there are usually plenty of experts hanging around here who can help.

Good luck!

gele

We have a large [but not fancy!] end terrace and the boiler really isn't big enough for the number of radiators so I cant imagine its very efficient. However it isn't particularly old so whether we would get a free one I'm not so sure. Even if we got better loft insulation that would be better than nothing. I'll be looking into all the options asap because the way the weather is tonight our bills are going to start rocketing soon. Thanks again

Ecodave

If you post the make and model of your boiler I can look it up for you.

tillycat123

Just to say my Mum who is having a new boiler installed next week, fingers and toes crossed had several assessors out.
They all wanted some kind of proof she was the actual home owner.

EON - wanted copy of the deeds
Northern gas - letter accepted from solicitor when she moved in years ago stating she is now the owner and same for British Gas.

gele

Ecodave sorry for the late reply. Been really busy just lately and haven't had chance to do anything about this yet.

My boiler is a Halstead Ace HE 30. We seem to be having to regularly top it up with water at the moment too.

Tillycat thanks for letting me know re ownership.

We are going to start with the loft as I'm sure we will qualify for this. We have some insulation but I'm sure it wont be the required thickness. Part of the house is solid wall not cavity. Where we have cavity [the extension] I'm sure it'll be adequate as its only 7 years old. I'm not sure what happens with solid walls.
Re the boiler I'll make sure when we ask about the boiler they know dads not the owner and then we'll know where we stand.

Thanks