Boiler cover

Hutch100uk

Hi, this may be a stupid question so bear with me. I'm purchasing my first house (alone) and thought it would be sensible to get some boiler cover. Not sure how old the boiler is in the house but its not that new.

I've looked online and there are so many different types of cover including boiler, boiler & heating, boiler plumbing heating & electrical.

Its a minefield as some have call-out charges, some only offer a certain amount towards a 'new boiler'. I have no clue!!

Any tips on what I should definitely look to be included and if these things are worth having?

TELLIT01

Speak to your neighbours and ask if they know of a reliable boiler engineer. That is likely to be the most cost effective route unless the boiler is old and unreliable.

grumbler

My boiler is ~1995, very basic one.

I own the hose since 2002 and have never had any cover. Had two simple repairs - in both cases one of two solenoid valves failed. I think this cost me no more that £200 in total and that THIS is the most cost-efficient route.


By the way, I was thinking about replacing the boiler with a modern one. The last time I had the solenoid replaced I asked the guy about this. "No way" said he. Unlike modern boilers, the old ones are very reliable. The design is so simple, that there is almost no anything that can break/fail.
Yes, they are less efficient, but it will take years and years to return the money spent on the new boiler.

Hutch100uk

Thank you, I had also read that cover is sometimes not actually cost effective. Sadly I've just read the last service report done by British Gas and wish I'd read it earlier. The boiler flue needs some repair doing already before I even start!

southcoastrgi

I would get a independent engineer to look at your flue rather than relying on a BG report

G_M

What was the date of the BG service? Unless it was very recent I'd get it serviced yourself, using a local (ideally recommended) GasSafe engineer. Not BG. BG have a reputation for finding faults and condemning old boilers (the engineers get commission).


When he services the boiler quiz him about its general condition, likely future lifespan, availability of spares etc.


Then start puting £15 pm aside in a savings account. If you get a breakdown, call him back and pay from those savings. No breakedown? Have a night on the town or weekend away after a year or so!.

Hutch100uk

Thank you all. The service was done in June this year.

After having done some research, the regulations for boiler flue support changed apparently which is why the BG reports states: "Incorrect Flue support, 2 brackets needed".

I will get an independent to come and look first before I do anything. I'll ask him what he thinks of the boiler before I take out any cover!

I just read on another site that BG charged £230 to fit 1 bracket!!!

Thanks for the advice.

southcoastrgi

Flue should be supported at every junction or change of direction

G_M

But if the BG report did not class it as dangerous, no need to panic. No legal requirement to upgrade each time the regulations change.


I'd wait till you next get it serviced (plenty of time to get recomendations before next year) and ask the service guy to do it at the same time. Meanwhile put some money aside regularly but save on buying boiler cover.

Hutch100uk

G_M wrote: »

But if the BG report did not class it as dangerous, no need to panic. No legal requirement to upgrade each time the regulations change.


I'd wait till you next get it serviced (plenty of time to get recomendations before next year) and ask the service guy to do it at the same time. Meanwhile put some money aside regularly but save on buying boiler cover.

The report has the box ticked "At Risk" - your appliance or installation has a fault which could put you and your property in danger......... Our engineer has recorded that permission to turn off was 'refused'.

So owners have told the BG engineer not to turn it off (probably cos they were trying to sell). But then when I google this new legislation, apparently engineers are told to turn it off as a matter of course although whether its actually dangerous is another matter.

I'm going to get a local guy to look anyway!

RelievedSheff

Stop using BG. They are a rip off.

Find a local heating engineer to service the boiler and give it a check over.

Then put some money aside each month to cover repairs as and when they are needed. You don't need to give the likes of BG your money each month.