Free Boilers

maureenbulman

I have seen numerous companies offering free boilers if your in receipt of certain benefits!! I have had 3 companies in to do surveys and each one came up with different things that needed replacing,and each one came up with additional costs of £250 then £430 and the last one which is advertised on the television with Jonny Ball (Helplink) quoted an additional cost of £740.88.
To qualify for a free boiler you have to be getting certain benefits(we do qualify),but how do these companies expect people to pay these additional cost when we are on benefits.

Does anybody actually know of a company who do supply (free)boilers for those people on benefits.

The boiler we are using now has been condemed by 2 of the 3 surveys we have had and have put (do not use) stickers on the boiler.

Thanking you in advance.

matelodave

A free boiler plus installation is a good deal, however if you have a non-standard or need other work done then that doesn't come under the free boiler deal. It's not unreasonable that anyone should contribute something towards it even if they are on benefits and not just expect everything to be paid for them.

Even a free boiler is a benefit and has to be paid for by those of us who are paying full price and a bit more. Indignant posts like this do annoy me when there is an expectation that everything should be paid for on top of the benefits that they are already getting. If you want a subsidised boiler then cut back on something else to help contribute towards it - that's what I have to do even though I'm also contributing towards your benefits as well.

captainhindsight_2

Hi as said above, the grant is intended to pay for the cost of a replacement boiler and not to upgrade a heating system.

Depending on your heating system it may need to be upgraded to be compatible with a new boiler (i.e. going from a low pressure system to a high pressure system could mean leaks etc depending on your existing system which would need to be resolved), these costs would need to be covered by the householder.

Also the amount of money available for a new boiler isn't the same for each household. A price is paid per unit of savings made by the replacement boiler, it could be that the amount of savings made is very low and/or the price per unit is low (which is currently is) as this changes every two weeks.

However, if the savings are high and/or the price per unit is high you may find a company will just do the lot for you for free

Phase 2 of part one of ECO starts in april so it could be worth contacting the companies again mid-late april and see if they can revise their offer.

captainhindsight_2

Hi I was trying to help explain how the grant works (I run a company which does these installations) and explain why your not getting it completely free and why different companies came up with different figures.

I am guessing one or all of the following:

-the savings from a new boiler are very low so the grant can not cover the cost of the installation. (there's not much you can do about this, other than top up the difference with some sort of loan if you havnt got the cash)

-the quotes you have received could be for 'upgrading' your system to a combi boiler (so a solution would be ask them to replace like for like to just upgrade the boiler if possible and not the whole system).

-at the time of applying the price per unit of saving was very low (this is just a matter waiting until the price per unit goes up which it is believed it is going to do so towards the end of april)

I hope this helps, I have no problem with your circumstances all sorts of people can become vulnerable and in need of benefits at no fault of their own thats why I was trying to help and give you more information about the Affordable Warmth ECO scheme and how it works so you have a greater understanding of the situation. So sorry for trying to help...

matelodave

I thought that was a nice mature response. With that sort of attitude I suspect that anyone would rather not get involved in "giving" a free boiler especially if they got a tirade like that when they suggested that there would be additional costs. My last word on the matter.

C_Mababejive

There is no such thing as free. Someone is paying for it.

undaunted

C_Mababejive wrote: »

There is no such thing as free. Someone is paying for it.

Obviously so, but if the person getting it isn't the one paying for it then there is such a thing as free for them & some people care nothing beyond that.

pippin18

maureenbulman wrote: »

I have seen numerous companies offering free boilers if your in receipt of certain benefits!! I have had 3 companies in to do surveys and each one came up with different things that needed replacing,and each one came up with additional costs of £250 then £430 and the last one which is advertised on the television with Jonny Ball (Helplink) quoted an additional cost of £740.88.
To qualify for a free boiler you have to be getting certain benefits(we do qualify),but how do these companies expect people to pay these additional cost when we are on benefits.

Does anybody actually know of a company who do supply (free)boilers for those people on benefits.

The boiler we are using now has been condemed by 2 of the 3 surveys we have had and have put (do not use) stickers on the boiler.

Thanking you in advance.

We have the same problem, we have been without a boiler since 8th december when ours popped, after being told we could have one then we couldnt by so many 3rd party companies advertising free boilers, I rang the energy advice centre who forwarded us to British Gas, who have been helpful...had a survey done yesterday, the guy said he doesnt see why we wont get a free boiler as we are a grade 1 priority...so just waiting for them to get back in touch. Surveyor said we should have the new boiler in place in 2 weeks max.

Wanttosavemoney

Lots of catches with this free boiler.

The houses which qualify are like this.

Must be end terrace or detached house.
If loft or cavity already done you'll not get it as grant for the installer is reduced, so no money in it for them to do it.
Boiler not broken, you'll not get it.
No qualifying benefit, or combined benefit, you'll not get it.
No proof of benefit, ie HMRC letter(all pages) you'll not get it.
No proof of ID, you'll not get it.
No proof you own the home, you'll not get it.
Back boiler, you'll not get it, as too expensive a job.

I worked for a company doing these boilers, and even the ones who did qualify, only 20% ever had it done as they were the easy to do boilers, ie straight swap boiler out new one in, with no other work, ie gas piping, required.

mick2me

We have gas CH/HW from a back boiler installed when the house was built in 1977. It works perfectly but is not efficient.

British Gas came and gave a quote, two guys came one armed with a computer. They measured up for replacing the back boiler with a relocated combi, running the original radiators.

I am retired but dont claim any benefits, so am not entitled to a free boiler.

After a load of sales speel, and explaining they were selling hundreds of boilers, but could book the job in within the next couple of months.

He then pressed the button on his laptop and up popped the final price... over £4,000!

As I showed them the door, I asked how long it would take me to recover the £4,000 by increased efficiency, and would the replacement boiler continue to work for 36 years like the old one.

I suppose if they are giving boilers away, they have to make profits somewhere.

macman

You are aware that BG typically quote 40% more than an independent GSR RGI for a boiler install? If they quote £4K, an independent can probably do it for £2.5K.