Connecting Gas for Green Deal

lucifersangel87

Hi all,

I just contacted EDF (My supplier) to try and action some of the points on our recent Green Deal Assessment.

One of the points is "install a gas boiler*" where the '*' is "pending connection to the National Gas Network" or something along those lines.

EDF Have said it is very difficult to get a new gas connection these days because of a gas shortage, and that they are gearing up all new-builds to be 100% electric. Is this true? I find it hard to believe that they're not setting up new Gas Connections at all.

What is my next course of action for this? Will I have to go to National Grid and pay them to get it all connected up ourselves?

Thanks in advance,

Martin

spiro

From my knowledge of Green Deal I don't think it covers the cost of getting mains gas installed. Lots of new builds have air or ground source heat pumps. A friend recently had his house rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire and he could no longer have oil fired central heating he had to have a ground source heat pump.

sbunny

Get a quote direct from local Gas Transporter for a connection to the gas network. Who you should go to in the first instance depends on your area;
National Grid 0870 903 9999: East of England, North West England, West Midlands, London.
Northern Gas Networks 0191 525 2600: North of England including Cumbria, Northumberland, County Durham, most of Yorkshire (except Barnsley / Sheffield / Doncaster).
Scotia Gas Networks: Scotland 0845 070 1432, South England 0845 070 1431.
Wales and West Utilities : 0870 165 0597 Wales, South West England.

Do websearch for 'new connection' and the company names above to see maps of their areas and much more details on new connections, including how to apply online.

They may offer help with cost if in a 'Fuel Poor' area or household.

Also if quote is high, you may be able to get cheaper via another company called a Utility Infrastructure Provider especially if you band together with neighbours.
Do a web search for 'Utility Infrastructure Provider' or come back here.

There are also lots of intermediaries out there with all the disadvantages and advantages that has: if they add something onto cost, and adding layer where additional things can go wrong / be miscommunicated / delayed but maybe their expertise in dealing with company who actual do the the work helps, or takes hassle out of shopping around UIPs for you.
Or they may have a name that you trust (or not) such as British Gas new connections on 0800 691 1707 .
I am not sure if EDF act as intermediary for individual domestic customers for new gas connections any more, but try them on 0800 068 8257. I am guessing they will just point you direct to those that will do connection.

captainhindsight_2

I would suggest to talk to a Green Deal Provider of your choice and they should be able to help you out with getting connected any costs involved and talk to you about what funding/grants are available if any (that's what there there for).

An alternative would be to take advantage or the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) instead of fitting a gas boiler. If you are able to fit a ground source heat pump, air source heat pump, biomass boiler or solar thermal. The RHI payments are very generous guaranteed for 7 years, not metered (if its your only source of heat) and just like the Feed in tariff it will probably drop significantly when people start signing up to it.

My ground source heat pump has a 2.5 year payback with the RHI not including the savings on the energy but i think the average is around 3-4 year payback. So definitely worth considering.

lemontart

edf are involved in producing electricity as well as being a supplier - perhaps that is why the fed you that total b.s. line - but hey made my day

lucifersangel87

Thanks for the responses so far.

none of the green deal providers I have spoken to are willing to help with connecting up the gas (so far).
We have gas mains in the street, and i've looked at the national grid cost estimator which says about £927 for the new connection.

The problem with renewable energy is that our flat is a Grade II Listed building above a church office next to an 1857-built church. We couldn't even get permission to have a tv aerial outside, let alone PV or Air Source Heat Pumps...
Not sure if Ground Source Heat Pumps would be any less constricted by the listing?

I'm going to go and ask British Gas what the cost of connecting up the Gas is, as a next step. Then I will go through some of the other phone numbers suggested above. If you have any other ideas, they'd be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Martin

lemontart

go direct to grid as bg may will add their cut to installation costs