New boiler, not eligible for a free one

captainhindsight_2

CashStrapped wrote: »

But you did not correct the OP on the assumption of needing electric heaters with a heat only boiler!

A simple "there would be no need for electric heaters with a heat only boiler".

Again fitting a regular boiler to a regular system, for £900 is not "too cheap". It would have been the cheapest avaliable option in that scenario.

"Those quotes seem high for a straight Combi swap, and £900 sounds to cheap!"

You combine two differing scenarios into one sentance.

Keep digging :rotfl:

captainhindsight_2

elliep wrote: »

Thank you all for helping.

I think that was my misunderstanding about the heat only boiler. I thought that meant heating only and not hot water. not sure where I got that idea from, but I had previously considered a water heater in the kitchen because of the cooling that occurs in the winter with the water travelling so far. It's insulated in all the parts I can get to but unfortunately that leaves a lot not insulated.

I've been reading the information about the cashback scheme and it sounds like it'd involve waiting for something that may or may not happen. And if it does happen then the money might vanish before I can actually apply for it anyway.

I've had 2 different plumbers look at the boiler in the past and both times they have misdiagnosed the problems, charged loads and not fixed it but claimed that because they replaced the parts they told me they were replacing I couldn't have any kind of refund.
It's really old and inefficient, and I don't trust plumbers looking at it now. I'd rather find the money for a new boiler than pay another £500 for nothing. But I also don't have thousands of pounds waiting for this.

It regularly stops working, but until today has always started up again when switched off and on again.

Yes the cashback scheme is more for a planned replacement, rather than emergency replacements as you obviously cannot plan or wait.

But if it does fall in with the timescales of what you are doing, definitely worth taking advantage of.

It also can go very quickly, so need to be able to react quickly.

Sounds like dodgy plumbers, they should have just recommended a replacement. Call outs and repairs are a big money spinner for plumbers and unfortunately you have been a victim of that!

elliep_2

To be fair to the plumbers, the first one did recommend a new boiler. But I was in the middle of a divorce and had no chance of affording it at the time.

The second plumber was out to scam me I'm sure. It's made me nervous of trying a 3rd plumber though. The new boiler is more of an option now though still a huge stretch, and it feels safer than asking another plumber to diagnose the problem and fix it. I have no way of verifying whether or not they've diagnosed it properly.

Looks like the cashback scheme is unlikely to work for me because of the timescales.

It just seems very unfair that if I was on any kind of benefit then it looks like I could get an entirely free boiler. But because I'm not I have to pay full price. Makes it tempting to kick out a lodger and get someone on benefits in. (Obviously I won't do that, settled and positive lodger relationships are worth a lot). It's a lot of money to find and while I'm earning enough to not be on benefits and I have lodgers I still don't have a lot of disposable income because of the fixed outgoings following my divorce.

Briezzee

Shop around. I got my new A rated condensing combi boiler installed for £1428 in August. You'll obviously pay more for a bigger one, but when we changed my mums from her 16 year old combi she saved £400 in heating bills in the first year. Go through the boiler companies websites to get names of registered installers or use Which? Trusted Traders. Many companies were also offering manufactures warranties of 5-8 years when I was looking. Hope that helps!

captainhindsight_2

elliep wrote: »

It just seems very unfair that if I was on any kind of benefit then it looks like I could get an entirely free boiler. But because I'm not I have to pay full price. Makes it tempting to kick out a lodger and get someone on benefits in. (Obviously I won't do that, settled and positive lodger relationships are worth a lot). It's a lot of money to find and while I'm earning enough to not be on benefits and I have lodgers I still don't have a lot of disposable income because of the fixed outgoings following my divorce.

You'd have to wait even longer if you wanted a free boiler through hhcro, prob April next year.

elliep_2

captainhindsight wrote: »

You'd have to wait even longer if you wanted a free boiler through hhcro, prob April next year.

That's a good point, and makes me feel a bit better. Thanks.

Ray_Alexander

If your after a new boiler but are not eligible for a free one - have you thought about 0% finance options? Some firms do offer them, so it's worth a look You can PM me as I've used some in the past that were really helpful.