Replacing a boiler - what support is available?

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: New Boiler Replacement or stick with current boiler?.

Sassy1984

Hi all, I'm in quite the dilemma.  My boiler started leaking 6 months ago, had a gas man out who said it would cost the same to fix it as it would to buy a new one. It's 10 years old. I looked around and they all come in at around 4k! I've managed the leak with buckets underneath while I try and find the money. But now the leaks have got so bad my ceiling is ruined and mouldy and the boiler is completely bust.  
I'm on a very low income with a disabled partner and 2 children, I qualify for the free boiler replacment scheme but when they rang they won't  change it as its a combi. That info was no where on the website. 
So now I have no hot water or heating, no money and I've asked lots of organisations for help and there is apparently none out there. 
If I get a new one and pay monthly it's over £100 a month for over 11 years because of the huge interest rate, I only have £7 a week after everything else has been paid. Anyone have any idea what I can do before we freeze. 

Netexporter

Sassy1984 said:

Hi all, I'm in quite the dilemma.  My boiler started leaking 6 months ago, had a gas man out who said it would cost the same to fix it as it would to buy a new one. It's 10 years old. I looked around and they all come in at around 4k! I've managed the leak with buckets underneath while I try and find the money. But now the leaks have got so bad my ceiling is ruined and mouldy and the boiler is completely bust.  
I'm on a very low income with a disabled partner and 2 children, I qualify for the free boiler replacment scheme but when they rang they won't  change it as its a combi. That info was no where on the website. 
So now I have no hot water or heating, no money and I've asked lots of organisations for help and there is apparently none out there. 
If I get a new one and pay monthly it's over £100 a month for over 11 years because of the huge interest rate, I only have £7 a week after everything else has been paid. Anyone have any idea what I can do before we freeze. 

If your income is under £31,000 you may qualify for ECO4 which could get you a heat pump, solar panels and insulation upgrades for free.

hamski

Have you tried this organization
01282 420678. Info@depher.co.uk.
They supply plumbing support for vulnerable people

FreeBear

Sassy1984 said:

Hi all, I'm in quite the dilemma.  My boiler started leaking 6 months ago, had a gas man out who said it would cost the same to fix it as it would to buy a new one. It's 10 years old. I looked around and they all come in at around 4k! I've managed the leak with buckets underneath while I try and find the money. But now the leaks have got so bad my ceiling is ruined and mouldy and the boiler is completely bust.  
I'm on a very low income with a disabled partner and 2 children, I qualify for the free boiler replacment scheme but when they rang they won't  change it as its a combi. That info was no where on the website. 
So now I have no hot water or heating, no money and I've asked lots of organisations for help and there is apparently none out there. 
If I get a new one and pay monthly it's over £100 a month for over 11 years because of the huge interest rate, I only have £7 a week after everything else has been paid. Anyone have any idea what I can do before we freeze.

Just punched some numbers in on the Boxt web site - It is coming up with a combi installed next day for £2000 (Navien 30KW) or a Vaillant/Bosch for £2600. Alternatively, pay £34 to £50 per month over 10 years and get a "free" annual service plus breakdown cover. Unless you need to move the boiler to a different location, it shouldn't cost anywhere near £4K.

As for funding - Try and avoid the monthly repayment plans. If you are claiming benefits, the DWP might provide a loan to cover the cost.

QrizB

Sassy1984 said:

Hi all, I'm in quite the dilemma.  My boiler started leaking 6 months ago, had a gas man out who said it would cost the same to fix it as it would to buy a new one. It's 10 years old. I looked around and they all come in at around 4k!

A replcement boiler should be about half that.

What do you get from https://www.boxt.co.uk/ ? They quote me £2600-ish.

Sassy1984 said:

If I get a new one and pay monthly it's over £100 a month for over 11 years because of the huge interest rate,

Boxt are quoting me less than £20 a month on finance.

Sassy1984 said:

Anyone have any idea what I can do before we freeze.

In the extremely short term, all you can really do is heat with electricity. That's expensive, could be £20 a day if we get another cold snap.

Gerry1

If the gas man was from a major energy supplier it's quite likely that he's heavily incentivised to sell new boilers and won't be interested in diagnosing and repairing faults with existing boilers.

Get a second opinion from a local independent (try a 'Which?' Trusted Trader) and you may find there's an affordable repair available.

Sassy1984

Thank you for your advice and comments. 
I do need the boiler moved as it is currently hanging off the wall in the attic and needs to be put in the airing cupboard. I've had 2 gas men round both said the same thing. It can't go back in  the attic as the pipes all need replacing and there has been too much damage done.  The ceiling underneath it is literally a big bubble waiting to fall through. 
I don't understand why just because it's a combi that I don't qualify for the boiler replacment scheme. Criteria is, 1. Boiler needs to be broken, 2, be on qualifying benefits 3, be a home owner. I qualify as I inherited the house when my parents died but due to myself being a carer I don't have the income to pay what everyone is asking for.  I've got my girls bundled in blankets and using the candle under a plant pot hack which surprisingly works well.  I've cancelled all none essential direct debits, I'm selling everything not nailed down on ebay and gumtree but still getting nowhere. 

Sassy1984

I've also done the boxt quote.  It's £25 a month but only if I pay 2k deposit

Netexporter

Sassy1984 said:

Thank you for your advice and comments. 
I do need the boiler moved as it is currently hanging off the wall in the attic and needs to be put in the airing cupboard. I've had 2 gas men round both said the same thing. It can't go back in  the attic as the pipes all need replacing and there has been too much damage done.  The ceiling underneath it is literally a big bubble waiting to fall through. 
I don't understand why just because it's a combi that I don't qualify for the boiler replacment scheme. Criteria is, 1. Boiler needs to be broken, 2, be on qualifying benefits 3, be a home owner. I qualify as I inherited the house when my parents died but due to myself being a carer I don't have the income to pay what everyone is asking for.  I've got my girls bundled in blankets and using the candle under a plant pot hack which surprisingly works well.  I've cancelled all none essential direct debits, I'm selling everything not nailed down on ebay and gumtree but still getting nowhere. 

It looks like you would qualify for an ECO4 grant, as mentioned above.

QrizB

Sassy1984 said:

... using the candle under a plant pot hack which surprisingly works well.

Watch out for cabon monoxide. Do you have an alarm?