Free boiler scheme

LunaD

Our boiler is 17 and we’ve been told today our boiler insurance won’t cover the repair or a new boiler. 

I have a few chronic illnesses and in receipt of PIP enhanced. My husband works full time, my son is my carer.

I applied to one boiler scheme and they said as my current worcester boiler is a condensor they can’t accept my application. It is a combi boiler as far as I’m aware, water and heating. 

Can anyone give me some advice on a boiler grant scheme. I don’t know what’s a scam and not when I Google. 

Thank you 

QrizB

I'm not aware of any government-funded scheme currently offering to replace old gas boilers with new gas boilers.

Is there a fault with your boiler? My Worcester Bosch is also 17 and still going strong.

If you want to replace your boiler with a heat pump, there are grants available but you'll probably need to make a significant contribution towards the cost.

[Deleted User]

https://ecohomenetwork.org/boilers-heating/replacement-boilers

 Is the government giving free boilers?

The government provides eligible households with free Boiler replacementsunder the ECO scheme. However, the ECO scheme is designed specifically for homes with non-condensing boilers and individuals who receive Qualifying benefits or LA Flex (Council Grants).

Sadly, it would seem that the boiler in question does not qualify for replacement as it is a condensing combi boiler.

My advice would be to have a word with Citizens Advice. They should have information on National and Local Authority support schemes.

Chrysalis

Yeah the system sadly isnt a raise the base line for everyone, its more raise the baseline for those at the bottom, the government see's those without a boiler at all worse off than those with a bad boiler, which means the bottom will still be not equalised and some remain below that baseline.

Whether this changes in the future remains to be seen.

Andrea7

Hello 

Thank you for all the interesting information above.  I don't qualify for the eco scheme.

I've just had my 17 year old boiler serviced and it's in good nick. BG have suggested that I might want to buy a new natural gas and hydrogen boiler (same make Vaillant as I have now) which will cost me a total of £3k including fitting etc  (it's staying in the same place).  With a deposit of £300 and then £68.20 a month for 4 years interest free (this includes my drains and electrics).   This works out an additional £32 a month than I am currently paying.

I have no way of knowing if the prices will go up or down but what would be your recommendation... should I replace something that's not broken or wait....?

Thanks in advance.

Andrea 

CSI_Yorkshire

A new boiler tends not to pay back its cost by a simple improvement in efficiency, but I don't know how old (or inefficient) the existing boiler needs to be to disprove that statement.

The decision tends more to be more about availability of spares, chance of breaking down at an inopportune moment....

FreeBear

Andrea7 said:  I've just had my 17 year old boiler serviced and it's in good nick. BG have suggested that I might want to buy a new natural gas and hydrogen boiler (same make Vaillant as I have now) which will cost me a total of £3k including fitting etc  (it's staying in the same place).

Another forum member has just had their boiler replaced (Ideal Logic with a Viessmann 30KW Combi) for £2100. I've also had a new boiler installed (mine was slightly more work than a straight swap) for a lot less than £3K. If you are in the midlands, there are a couple of outfits on Ebay advertising boiler swaps from £600 plus the cost of the boiler. Kinda makes British Gas rather expensive..

Just about all the gas boilers currently being sold are claimed to be "hydrogen ready" and run on natural gas. However, it is unlikely that we will see hydrogen being used any time soon as a replacement for natural gas.

Gabriel_Louche

I've recently become a Universal Credit recipient and my boiler has broken down. I'd heard that if you were in receipt of UC I was entitled to getting help with replacing my old boiler which has broken down. But looking at the site all I can see are references to  fitting heat pumps or "biomass" boilers. Can anyone advise?

jefaz07

FreeBear said:

Andrea7 said:  I've just had my 17 year old boiler serviced and it's in good nick. BG have suggested that I might want to buy a new natural gas and hydrogen boiler (same make Vaillant as I have now) which will cost me a total of £3k including fitting etc  (it's staying in the same place).

Another forum member has just had their boiler replaced (Ideal Logic with a Viessmann 30KW Combi) for £2100. I've also had a new boiler installed (mine was slightly more work than a straight swap) for a lot less than £3K. If you are in the midlands, there are a couple of outfits on Ebay advertising boiler swaps from £600 plus the cost of the boiler. Kinda makes British Gas rather expensive..

Just about all the gas boilers currently being sold are claimed to be "hydrogen ready" and run on natural gas. However, it is unlikely that we will see hydrogen being used any time soon as a replacement for natural gas.

By hydrogen ready I think it’s more the blended gas at 20%…which use the same injectors. 

FreeBear

Gabriel_Louche said:

I've recently become a Universal Credit recipient and my boiler has broken down. I'd heard that if you were in receipt of UC I was entitled to getting help with replacing my old boiler which has broken down. But looking at the site all I can see are references to  fitting heat pumps or "biomass" boilers. Can anyone advise?

First step - Contact your energy supplier and ask what support they can offer under the ECO4 scheme.

Talk to your local council - They should have a Warm Homes team, and may be able to point you in the right direction if your energy supplier can't/won't help.

If your existing heating system is suitable for a heat pump, I wouldn't be too hasty in ruling out that option. Once set up properly, it shouldn't cost any more than gas to run.