Boiler broke due to power outage

Moonheid

Hi. We had a power outage last night. I called 105 to report it. Took 8 hours to resolve. My boiler is now not working. I had an engineer that said it could be the PCB board or even more. I don't. Have money to pay to have it repaired. Should the electricity owner (Scottish Power) be liable and send someone out.

This is the text the sent me:
SP Energy Networks apologise for any inconvenience caused by the power cut affecting customers in the G43 postcode area of Glasgow. Our team has let us know that the power cut  has been caused by an underground cable fault near Hillpark Drive and is taking longer than expected because of complex repairs required. Power is now expected to be back on by 9am. We recommend to protect your equipment, and where it is safe to do so, you should switch off and unplug all electrical appliances including your boiler. Leave a light switched on so that you'll know when the power is restored.  We will make every effort to contact you if the situation changes. For further assistance you can call us on 0800 092 9290, visit spenergynetworks.co.uk, or follow us on Twitter @spenergynetwork

I had called and the claimed they wouldn't cover it. I have two children at home and no hot water/heating.

Thanks

Robin9

Is the boiler the only appliance not working ?
Have you checked in your consumer unit to see if a circuit breaker has operated?
SP will not be liable

Moonheid

Robin9 said:

Is the boiler the only appliance not working ?
Have you checked in your consumer unit to see if a circuit breaker has operated?
SP will not be liable

It's just the boiler. Everything else works. I had an engineer out. He said the it's the PCB and or more due to the power surge/outage.

MWT

Unfortunately it is the nature of electronic devices that they are are most likely to fail when turned on/off even if there isn't any 'surge'.

It is wise to turn off devices when there is a power-cut as SP suggested in their TXT, but no, you won't be able to get SP to cover your boiler.

Moonheid

MWT said:

Unfortunately it is the nature of electronic devices that they are are most likely to fail when turned on/off even if there isn't any 'surge'.

It is wise to turn off devices when there is a power-cut as SP suggested in their TXT, but no, you won't be able to get SP to cover your boiler.

Just not sure what to do. We have no heating/hot water an no money to get it repaired. Was working fine up until this power outage. 

cajef

Unfortunately It is hardly Scottish Powers fault that there was a underground cable fault, maybe a claim on your house insurance will cover the boiler, that is assuming you have any insurance.

Hasbeen

Moonheid said:

MWT said:

Unfortunately it is the nature of electronic devices that they are are most likely to fail when turned on/off even if there isn't any 'surge'.

It is wise to turn off devices when there is a power-cut as SP suggested in their TXT, but no, you won't be able to get SP to cover your boiler.

Just not sure what to do. We have no heating/hot water an no money to get it repaired. Was working fine up until this power outage. 

Unfortunate, but as pointed out PCB boards especially if elderly do tend to fail if turned off and then on.

It is advised in a power cut to turn  ALL appliances  off, so when power does come back on it is more "gentle" to restart one by one etc.

Until you can get it fixed can you not boil a kettle for some hot water and if you do require some heat a small electric type heater can be purchased cheaply like this £7.  https://www.diy.com/departments/2000w-white-freestanding-fan-heater/1409141_BQ.prd

What is the make and model number of your boiler? What did the engineer quote you to repair?

Gerry1

Did you switch off and unplug the boiler, as SP suggested?

It might be worth reading the instructions for the boiler, e.g. resetting it, just in case the technician preferred to supply and install an expensive new PCB rather than tickle it.

matelodave

As SP suggested it would have been a good idea to unplug or shut down your boiler - they had no control over a fault  and did warn you to turn stuff off or unplug it and so wont be liable for any damage that may have been caused.

You could try your household insurance to see if it covers damage of this type, some do, some don't.

greyteam1959

Get your boiler make & model number & get on Youtube.
There may be a simple fix like a reset button somewhere.

Gerry1

Do you not have an immersion heater?  That should be sufficient at this time of year.