Help for replacing a very old boiler?

MoneyMon555

I'm asking on behalf of my son. 

He has a very old boiler (20 years + not condenser, or even combi)

He's got low income household (2 kids under 10) but just too much income to get any benefits such as housing or UC.

I've looked but am a bit suspicious of some of the web sites that seem to offer it - is there any financial help for him to upgrade to a new energy efficient boiler? If so, which scheme is the best one to go with?

Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks in advance 

tacpot12

No, there's no help available if he is not on benefits. Is he sure that he isn't entitled to benefits? He can use a Benefits Calculator, such as the one available at www.entitledto.co.uk, to check. 

The next best thing is an interest-free loan from one of the big boiler installation firms such as Boxt, Eon or British Gas. Eon have a 3 year interest-free deal on at the moment. If it's a simple swap, he should pay less than £100 pcm for the three years, and you might be able to help him with part of this.

If the swap is going to be complicated, he might be better off finding a local firm to do the work, and for you to find the best low interest loan he can qualify for. He can factor the saving on gas, and even a little on electricity as a new boiler should have a more efficient pump, and he will also potentially save on the cost of repairs and parts as a new boiler will come with a warranty. 

Spoonie_Turtle

tacpot12 said:

No, there's no help available if he is not on benefits. Is he sure that he isn't entitled to benefits? He can use a Benefits Calculator, such as the one available at www.entitledto.co.uk, to check.  

Most definitely worth doing (even if he has done in the past) in the first week of April, once benefit rates have caught up with last year's inflation.

BUFF

Where does he live?
Things can be different between England & Scotland, & different local authorities can handle things under ECO Flex differently.

FreeBear

tacpot12 said: If the swap is going to be complicated, he might be better off finding a local firm to do the work, and for you to find the best low interest loan he can qualify for.

I had a quote from Eon for a replacement boiler - Even with me doing much of the plumbing work (got an old back boiler and want a combi in a different location), they were quoting over £1K more than a local firm. I dare say, if I were to find an independent fitter, I could shave a bit more off.

gsw55

I replaced my boiler last year. I got a local plumber to do the installation work and he also told me what spec boiler I needed. Bought a boiler online from from Plumb nation ( https://www.plumbnation.co.uk/?referrer=googleppc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiuzkhYj7_QIVWOztCh3BYQDxEAAYASAAEgKdNfD_BwE ) for just over 1k and the plumber fitted. Complete job including boiler cost less than 2k

MoneyMon555

Thanks all. I have something to get started with now.

And if he did manage to get some help after April using the benefits calculator , then there would be a recognised/authorised route to getting help with the cost of it?

Section62

MoneyMon555 said:

He has a very old boiler (20 years + not condenser, or even combi)

A combi boiler won't necessarily be a more efficient system than what he has now.  What he really needs is advice on the most efficient way to heat his home given the family's lifestyle and type of property.

Unfortunately the industry is full of salespeople who will flog a new combi boiler to anyone, and convince them they will save money compared to their 'old inefficient boiler'.

MuckChucker

Section62 said:

MoneyMon555 said:

He has a very old boiler (20 years + not condenser, or even combi)

A combi boiler won't necessarily be a more efficient system than what he has now.  What he really needs is advice on the most efficient way to heat his home given the family's lifestyle and type of property.

Unfortunately the industry is full of salespeople who will flog a new combi boiler to anyone, and convince them they will save money compared to their 'old inefficient boiler'.

just to add to the above, seeing as the existing boiler is old, the pipe work is likely of a certain vintage too so changing to a pressurised combi system will possibly end in heartache. We had this very discussion last year - although I'd say our boiler was another decade older. The difference the new heat only boiler has made to cost and comfort has been a godsend

BUFF

Section62 said:

MoneyMon555 said:

He has a very old boiler (20 years + not condenser, or even combi)

A combi boiler won't necessarily be a more efficient system than what he has now.  What he really needs is advice on the most efficient way to heat his home given the family's lifestyle and type of property.

Unfortunately the industry is full of salespeople who will flog a new combi boiler to anyone, and convince them they will save money compared to their 'old inefficient boiler'.

To be fair replacing an old, non-condensing boiler with a modern, condensing boiler (of whatever type) with modern controls will almost certainly result in reduced gas use.
Will a combi be optimal for everybody, no.
Will everybody's existing radiators allow for a new condensing boiler to be run most efficiently, again no. 

I fuly support that what he needs is some independent/unbiased advice on the most efficient way to heat his home given the family's lifestyle and type of property.

FreeBear

BUFF said: To be fair replacing an old, non-condensing boiler with a modern, condensing boiler (of whatever type) with modern controls will almost certainly result in reduced gas use.
Will a combi be optimal for everybody, no.
Will everybody's existing radiators allow for a new condensing boiler to be run most efficiently, again no.

If his current boiler has a pilot light on 24/7, that could easily burn through 2,000KWh of gas each year. Current efficiency, probably around the 60% mark. Changing to a combi or system, even if it isn't running fully in condensing mode, will get the efficiency up to ~85%. Assuming a typical annual consumption of 12,000KWh, I would have thought with a new boiler, that could be cut to 8-9,000KWh p.a.

New boiler installations require fitting of modern controls along with TRVs - Properly set up, there is potential for another 5-10% saving. Back of fag packet calculations with a finger in the air - Maybe £500 savings to be had each year at current gas prices.