Anyone had any success using the ECO scheme to replace a broken Warm Air Heating System?

onesmallstep

Currently trying to find a way to restore heating to family member's flat who has had no heating for over a year, and is on means tested benefits. Looking into the ECO scheme but finding the whole process quite confusing tbh - especially as they have an old 1970s Warm Air Heating Unit in situ which does not appear on most drop down menus! There is no issue with eligibility or age of broken boiler, but I'm rather at a loss as to whether this counts as 'Central Heating' (which means that they are not eligible for the first time central heating grant which would see the install of a new boiler and much needed radiators), a traditional boiler (which clearly it isn't!) which would be eligible for a straight boiler swap - except none of the pipework, flues, major plumbing is in place OR a dry heating system - which would mean all storage heaters would be replaced and upgraded according to the websites, except of course, there aren't any!! Horrible feeling this is falling down a gaping hole in the middle. Anyone have any experience with this or advice / recommendations? Many thanks

another_casualty

I'm not 100% sure if I can help here, but I'll try 😼
I'm on universal Credit and a home owner, and found that eon were dong the "affordable Warmth scheme ".
This is/ was a scheme that is only available at certain times of the year . Unfortunately , the scheme is closed at the moment 
I just got in when I applied in feb and qualified because I am a homeowner and on universal credit . I got a new Worcester combi boiler for £240 .

While looking for a different energy suppliers today , I notice that some of them had affordable warmth in their tariffs .
May be an idea to look at tariffs and see if you might get somewhere ??
Also, before I found eon  I was given a number to ring from the council and spoke to a very helpful lady. 

It may be even worth having a look at citizens advice .

Hope this helps 

onesmallstep

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply - that's really interesting info. I didn't know that the scheme ran in 'cycles' and the funding was only available from some suppliers and sources at certain times each year....perhaps it might be worth trying to wait a month or two? I'm just keen to get something done before this Winter kicks in so they aren't in the same situation as the last couple of years. 


The Warm Air Unit really does seem to confuse all of the people I have contacted. I have spoken with a couple of advisors from Energy Trust and Money Advice who both stated that as there are no radiators and they have never been installed in the property and therefore it is not possible to simply replace the broken 'heater' with a boiler due to lack of infrastructure that they would be eligible for the full central heating install grant. More frustratingly we've even reached the stage of being told it can go ahead / getting to booking installation visit - only be told suddenly that the warm air unit counts is not covered by scheme and = no £!


It is all v disheartening. We would try and pay some contribution if it made it possible as I saw that Eon and others you mentioned charge a £395 fee for the boiler under ECO scheme - but we are also incredibly limited with £ and simply can't help with costs for a whole system upgrade which is really what the flat needs to be a) safe - the system has been condemned due to gas safety risks and because of her disabilities and b) the piping infrastructure (or lack of it!)


Anyway, thanks again for taking time to reply to post. It is really helpful to know that the ECO scheme does actually work and that there are people that have had success using it I'm really glad you got your new boiler sorted and hope it's working well and making a difference  

another_casualty

I have one or two more points to make if I may 😼..
It sounds to me that you should go to citizens advice early in the morning in person ,ideally as soon as it opens . I would take pictures of your system with you , even if it's on your phone as I'm sure if you saw an adviser they would print out for you if need be .

The other thing I recommend , is that you ask about the system on the in my home section, as there are a lot of helpful people on there . It looks like you're a new poster , so you may not be able to add photos . 

Oops ! I forgot about the coronavirus situation regarding appointments , so it's best to phone or if there is a facility there to send an email you could do both ( including pictures)


Best of luck 😼

another_casualty

Forgot to mention the process that the affordable warmth scheme entails .
You fill in questionnaire online . Then a person surveys your property. This includes technical drawings etc. Very impressive . Takes a couple of hrs. In my case , I was told my boiler would have to be relocated . I was also told that it won't cost more than £500. 

I got a result as mentioned above .
Ill leave it there...😼

onesmallstep

Thanks for your helpful comments again really appreciate you taking the time. I've put a post over on the 'in my home section' as you've suggested so perhaps a few ppl will see it there too. 

Having done some more digging around over the past few days, it definitely does all seem to come down to how they define 'Gas Central Heating'. I have completed several now and they all ask:
1) Does your heating work? No
2) What type of heating do you have? (Warm Air is not listed - can either put Gas (not connected), don't know, other)
3) Have you ever had radiators installed in your property? No
4) Is your boiler more than 10 years old (some vary on age)? Yes
5) Do you have any storage heaters installed? No

Based on these answers (and plenty more), plus the eligibility criteria that my family member fulfils, we are being told, immediately (both online and on the phone) that she meets the requirements for having a full first time GCH installation, with boiler, radiators and associated piping. This would be fully funded. 

However, once the process continues and the next phase occurs the ECO scheme shifts and refines these questions slightly so that the questions read - 

1) Have you ever had a gas central heating boiler in your property? Technically, yes, because the Warm Air Unit is heated by gas- though is not a boiler in the capacity in which they refer later in their own questions. 

Once this has been ticked as yes, it seems you are no longer eligible for the funding. You are still eligible for the new boiler funding of up to £1000. However, as you clearly have no radiators, system, pipework, flues, plumbing infrastructure - the personal cost to fund this is impossibly high and so far as a family we have been quoted between £2000 - 5000 (on top of the '£1k funding!)! So it's not so much a 'free boiler switch' then really but a money making exercise...and obviously impossible for anyone living with a severe disability and no capital. 

I'm genuinely frustrated and disappointed. It feels like yet another example of something that is presented as 'something to help' but that in reality those in need can't actually access. Not sure I expect much else from this Government, but I almost wish they didn't pretend to offer these 'all inclusive' schemes when they have so many exceptions and caveats.  

Anyway...…..will give it a rest for a few days, at least the weather is warm for the next few months and will give us a chance to see what other options are out there and try and sort something out using different route. If anyone has any success with scheme or wants to 'vent' about Warm Air Units feel free to post!

another_casualty

I still think citizens advice ASAP is a must . 😼