New Boiler Scotland

Brydson86

Hi folks, my boiler is over 20 years old and I feel that it should now be replaced. I've had it looked at and I've been told it can last a few more years but in long run I'm going to have to bite the bullet.

I had asked for help with Warmer Homes Scotland but they came out and said that they shouldn't even have chapped the door as I'm not on any benefits and therefore I should have been advised accordingly on the phone.

They had made mention of some kind of interest free scheme but didn't tell me how or where to apply.

Can anyone help me with any recommended places or links to any schemes, even if 0% interest, so I can shop around. I always have the feeling these schemes are well hidden or you have to be on some kind of benefit.

Thanks in advance 👍

justwhat

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/programme/home-energy-scotland/

Brydson86

justwhat said:

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/programme/home-energy-scotland/

Thanks for that but that essentially takes you onto warmer homes Scotland. 

BUFF

https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/find-funding-grants-and-loans/

bear in mind that you'll need an EPC to apply for the 0% loan ( upto £5k for a gas heating system) which, if you don't already have one,  potentially may cost you more to get than the interest on an equivalent loan elsewhere ...

Zandoni

I’d be inclined to keep the boiler until it bites the dust.

Brydson86

Zandoni said:

I’d be inclined to keep the boiler until it bites the dust.

Honestly Zandoni, I think I've rode the wave for a couple years. I'd like to get it sorted during the summer for when I don't need the heating. 

Zandoni

Brydson86 said:

Zandoni said:

I’d be inclined to keep the boiler until it bites the dust.

Honestly Zandoni, I think I've rode the wave for a couple years. I'd like to get it sorted during the summer for when I don't need the heating. 

A lot of those old boilers go on for years, but I understand the need of a shiny new one.

Brydson86

So anyone that cares, I was back on the phone to energy Scotland who advised that I have to have loft insulation and cavity wall insulation in order to qualify for an interest free boiler loan, or I think it gets all added I to the one loan.

Will be a bit of a pickle as I'm in a four in a block and nobody has been downstairs for about 3 years.

I presume there would be no point in cavity wall of downstairs don't do it also.

Decisions. 

BUFF

I'm fairly certain that isn't true, you should be able to get a loan for a boiler as standalone. However, as I mentioned you do need an EPC beforehand which recommends the work plus an EPC after works (which is when the funding is actually released) & it all needs to go through an approved installer (who will factor the cost of all the admin plus being out of pocket for materials before he gets paid in) . Because there is no cashback payment with a gas boiler loan (unlike renewables) under the scheme I do think that you can probably do it cheaper & quicker by either self-funding or getting a loan elsewhere.

Brydson86

BUFF said:

I'm fairly certain that isn't true, you should be able to get a loan for a boiler as standalone. However, as I mentioned you do need an EPC beforehand which recommends the work plus an EPC after works (which is when the funding is actually released) & it all needs to go through an approved installer (who will factor the cost of all the admin plus being out of pocket for materials before he gets paid in) . Because there is no cashback payment with a gas boiler loan (unlike renewables) under the scheme I do think that you can probably do it cheaper & quicker by either self-funding or getting a loan elsewhere.

Thanks buff. I had an EPC done when I moved in so they took the info from that, which does recommend all I said above. 

I'll maybe look at somewhere that will do 0% interest in a boiler then. I appreciate the info. 

BUFF

You probably won't get a simple 0% loan elsewhere (bear in mind that an installer offering an "0% loan" may be quoting higher to start with) but you might get something like 3% elsewhere.
3% of £5000 (max gas boiler loan) =£150 which is what they suggest an EPC might cost - & you need an EPC after the work to claim for it under their scheme. If you don't need £5k of work (e.g. £3k) then you are winning on a 3% loan.