Have we been miss-sold a boiler?

Linsue

Can i please have some opinions on this.
We had a new boiler fitted by a major energy company who contracted the installation out to a local firm.
We knew exactly what we wanted and told the salesman. One thing that was paramount was that the boiler had to have an integral digital timer (not a manual one like the boiler we had as hubby has MS and hasn't got the dexterity to move the fiddly pins). The salesman agreed this.
The fitters turned up put in the boiler but it was only at that point that it was realised there was no programmer. As the fitters nor myself could get in touch with the energy company (wrong numbers/ answerphones) the installers took it on their own head to install an external programmer to tide us over while we sorted it out with the energy company.
After a month of constant phone calls trying to get it sorted we have been told that the company don't install programmers with the boilers and anyway the boiler they fit only take manual integral programmers. We have now been given the options of 1) keeping the external digital programmer which hubby can't use because the position it is in or 2) have a manual programmer installed in the boiler. Either way we haven't got what we requested.

Bogalot

Can they not reposition the external programmer, or have a wireless one?

wealdroam

Linsue wrote: »

Can i please have some opinions on this.
We had a new boiler fitted by a major energy company who contracted the installation out to a local firm.
We knew exactly what we wanted and told the salesman. One thing that was paramount was that the boiler had to have an integral digital timer (not a manual one like the boiler we had as hubby has MS and hasn't got the dexterity to move the fiddly pins). The salesman agreed this.
The fitters turned up put in the boiler but it was only at that point that it was realised there was no programmer. As the fitters nor myself could get in touch with the energy company (wrong numbers/ answerphones) the installers took it on their own head to install an external programmer to tide us over while we sorted it out with the energy company.
After a month of constant phone calls trying to get it sorted we have been told that the company don't install programmers with the boilers and anyway the boiler they fit only take manual integral programmers. We have now been given the options of 1) keeping the external digital programmer which hubby can't use because the position it is in or 2) have a manual programmer installed in the boiler. Either way we haven't got what we requested.

Have you anything in writing stating your requirements?

Linsue

The programmer cannot be relocated apparently. We have the contract which states which boiler. Problem is now it is our word against the salesman that he told us a digital programmer was in it

This wasn't the only problem we have had.
We were told the energy company provided a yearly service ... but they don't.
The inline filter was to big and cannot be fitted because the salesman got the measurements wrong.
I didn't mention those points because but i didn't want to bore you with it all! We have really had enough now what should have been a straight forward boiler out /boiler in has turned into a long drawn out problem

waamo

You may encounter some resistance. Could your husband manage an app controlled system? Some energy companies provide them free if you switch to them.

Linsue

A friend has just sent me the Consumer Rights 2015. "Goods must match description given to you or any models shown at time of purchase. I wonder if our problem would come under that.

wealdroam

Linsue wrote: »

A friend has just sent me the Consumer Rights 2015. "Goods must match description given to you or any models shown at time of purchase. I wonder if our problem would come under that.

Yes, possibly, but you have already told us that they are denying that you specified a integral digital timer.

Unless you can demonstrate that that was agreed, I fear you are onto a loser.

bris

They fitted an external one but it's not accessible, sorry but I highly doubt that.
Where did they put it, in the loft or something.

neilmcl

Can you tell us the make and model of boiler?

Hermione_Granger

bris wrote: »

They fitted an external one but it's not accessible, sorry but I highly doubt that.
Where did they put it, in the loft or something.

What an arrogant reply.
Have you forgotten the fact that the OP's husband suffers from Multiple sclerosis, something that could well mean that they have difficulty reaching a controller that is positioned where a fully fit person wouldn't encounter any difficulty.
Then again, maybe you think that the OP is outright lying.

abssorb

These days timers, programmers and thermostats are generally separate from the actual boiler.

Linsue wrote: »

The programmer cannot be relocated apparently.

That might be worth exploring. There is no valid technical reason for this to be the case. E.g. If the wire isn't long enough the installer should simply rewire.

There are a number of wireless solutions available but another thing to consider could be a programmable thermostat. This does away with the heating timer altogether and you set your times at the thermostat location, which should be somewhere accessible already.

Then all you'd need is water heating time if you have a hot water tank.