Boiler written off because insurance repair engineer said part was unobtainable because of age. 5 January at 12:38PM in Energy 34 replies 1.9K views

Astria

jefaz07 said:

Astria said:

Miser1964 said:

>do we buy it ourself, could even fit it, only 4 small screws.<

Go for it. The Safety Sally's will weep and wail you'll blow up half the street by touching the boiler case, of course.

If it's just a switch I'd install myself as well, I was actually told by a GSR RGI that I can do such things myself without notification if I'm competent enough, but I'm not allowed and could be fined if I touch any of the gas parts of the boiler such as the gas valve or burner chamber, but things like PCB and sensors are fine to do yourself as long as you don't need access to those areas. Of course, if I/you damage anything whilst doing so then the cost of fixing could be more than the cost of getting someone else to do the work, but that's the risk I/you take.

What type of switch? This sounds like an air pressure switch, which is a safely device isn't DIY job. 

Your RGI said you could work on an appliance..I guess you’ll do your 26 (9) checks too will you? 

If the switch isn't connected to the gas at any point then yes, you can do it. Just because it's a safety device it doesn't mean it has to be done by an RGI. If you think changing the switch could cause problems then simply don't do it yourself. I don't do any gas safety checks because I'm not a gas engineer, but the boiler is checked yearly by a RGI who knows I fix any problems that come up and I can fix myself.

SallySunshine

That sounds good in practice, but he could say if we supplied it, there’s no guarantee it would work. I suppose he could have a point and could refuse.
Might ring D&G tomorrow since no contact from them today.

They know our situation, age plus health problems, especially this week when one of us was bedbound and the other just coping with both of us having the latest lurgy/flu.

diystarter7

Alnat1 said:

Buy the switch. When the guy comes to do the service and says the switch is faulty and he can't get one you can say - here you go mate, get it fitted.

Hi

Good point but I don't think they will agree if via the warranty route for obvious reasons but worth a shot

Thanks

dil1976

Alnat1 said:

Buy the switch. When the guy comes to do the service and says the switch is faulty and he can't get one you can say - here you go mate, get it fitted.

I am  not sure many if any Gas Safe Plumbers would fit a part to a boiler just handed to them by a stranger without wanting to know more about where it was obtained from etc!

Alnat1

If you'd bought it, you would have the packaging and receipt to show them.

Ectophile

Legally, you can do any work you like on your own gas boiler, provided you are competent to do so.  The law doesn't specify any particular qualifications to be "competent".

Personally, I have never fiddled with the gas parts of any boiler, because I know I'm not competent in that.  The watery parts are another matter.

SaverRate

If your insurance provider write off the boiler do they pay out a sum of money towards a replacement boiler?

I know British Gas/Homeserve pay out around £500 for a new boiler but believe the insurance then ends. 

EDIT - Seems Homeserve have changed this to the following:

First 6 months - During the first six months of cover your boiler will not be replaced under this policy. After 6 months - After six months of cover (and each year thereafter that you renew the policy); if your boiler is less than 7 years old we will source, replace and install a new boiler. If it is 7 years old or older we will source and replace your boiler through our approved installer and you will be required to pay the installation cost. A survey will be completed and an individual quotation will be provided. The age of the boiler will be determined by the GC/Serial number or its installation date, if you can evidence it was installed within 12 months of its manufacture. Installation costs currently start from £1,317 and can vary depending on whether it is a basic swap to a newer model, or a complete system change including system cleaning, pipework, radiators, scaffolding, asbestos removal etc. In 2020, the highest cost paid for a complex installation was £4467. The new boiler make and model will be chosen by us and will provide a suitable level of heating and hot water for your property. It will match your existing boiler type (e.g. a combination boiler will be replaced with a combination boiler). Any heating system or boiler upgrade costs will be charged for. There is no cash alternative to the replacement offered.

Although I have quote me happy (aviva) home insurance and the home emergency is provided by Homeserve. The T&C states I get £500 cash so I can go anywhere with it to get a new boiler.  

Not sure on British Gas! 

SallySunshine

Got e-mail from D&G confirming boiler was unfixable so giving us £750 towards a new one, handed it all over to Gas Call who would contact us.
Did some research on them.
E- mail this a.m. from Gas Call to arrange zoom call with us.?
Rang D&G and cancelled the lot. No problem, very efficient.
Will manage to limp along with boiler for a couple of months.
Might replace air-flow switch ourselves, or just carry on clearing pipe, takes 1 min.
Also a few local quotes for new  boiler and start afresh.
just need to recover from vicious flu bug.


End of Saga!

Astria

Ectophile said:

Legally, you can do any work you like on your own gas boiler, provided you are competent to do so.  The law doesn't specify any particular qualifications to be "competent".

Exactly, I wouldn't mess with any parts which I didn't have a good understanding of, and definitely wouldn't be touching anything to do with the gas supply or burner and definitely be triple checking everything after turning it back on, plus I'd never volunteer to work on anyone elses boiler due to liability reasons, the same as I wouldn't attempt to work on anyone elses electrics, even though I feel confident playing with my own.

That said, if they've wrote off the boiler and then you have a problem with it later down the line affecting something else, don't expect them to pay out. You might as well cancel the insurance.

macman

So you are not being 'given' £750, they are merely passing you over to a third party supplier who will 'give' you a £750 discount on a new install? So D&G get a fat referral fee, and the new provider simply hikes the quote by £750 to compensate?
Forgive my cynicism, but I suspect this is how it works.
If they are actually sending you a cheque for £750 then that's a great result.
What is the make and model of your boiler?