Replace radiator valve with BG home care?

TeeAy

Hello 

I recently moved in and found that all my radiator valves don't work- the radiators heat up fully whether the dial is switched to maximum, frost mode or anywhere in between. 

 The british gas engineer who did a one-off service mentioned the rad valves could be replaced if I took out home care cover.  I didn't ask any questions at the time but am now wondering more about this.

On the BG webpages it says Essential Cover includes repairs to gas central heating system, including boiler, controls, radiators and hot water cylinder.  

from this description do you think radiator replacement would be covered (?not sure if its an improvement or a repair) and/ or does anyone have experience of having radiator valves replaced by BG under home care cover?  I hadn't thought about taking out a policy if it wasn't for the radiator valves  (and I don't want to make it blatant by checking eith BG as it'll blow my cover!)

Also, as a comparison what would it cost in labour and parts to replace 7 radiator valves? 

thanks in advance  

silvercar

I’ve had a couple of radiator TRVs replaced under BG care. But I’ve had then done while they were doing the annual servicing. Mine were stuck on OFF rather than on. 

Two things to check, firstly that you have full heating cover and not just boiler - so homecare essential rather than homecare basic. Secondly were these faults existing before you took out the BG homecare policy (or at least did BG note them as an existing fault?) I suspect 7 failing in one go may raise queries. 

Re-reading your post, I would be concerned that BG consider it an existing fault.

silvercar

Also, as a comparison what would it cost in labour and parts to replace 7 radiator valves? 

Depends if you have a combi boiler or conventional. On a conventional boiler with a rad stuck on MAX, the system would need to be drained down. On a combi boiler it’s a quick swap. 

ThisIsWeird

Very possible that a simple head replacement will fix them, TeeYa - very DIYable if so.
If you post a photo of one, we can guide you.
New heads will be around £15 each.

Billxx

ThisIsWeird said:

Very possible that a simple head replacement will fix them, TeeYa - very DIYable if so.
If you post a photo of one, we can guide you.
New heads will be around £15 each.

Absolutely agree.  I changed a couple of the heads recently in my son's flat.  Screwfix £16 each.  If you take on BG home care, they will survey your home before they agree the contract.  I doubt they will fix existing faults.  Also depending on the level of cover you have there is an excess (mine is £60).

TeeAy

ThisIsWeird said:

Very possible that a simple head replacement will fix them, TeeYa - very DIYable if so.
If you post a photo of one, we can guide you.
New heads will be around £15 each.

they're all this type, look quite old  (the engineer said they'd need to be replaced)

TeeAy

Billxx said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Very possible that a simple head replacement will fix them, TeeYa - very DIYable if so.
If you post a photo of one, we can guide you.
New heads will be around £15 each.

Absolutely agree.  I changed a couple of the heads recently in my son's flat.  Screwfix £16 each.  If you take on BG home care, they will survey your home before they agree the contract.  I doubt they will fix existing faults.  Also depending on the level of cover you have there is an excess (mine is £60).

@Billxx @ThisIsWeird
I mean the engineer did a bit of fiddling with the valves/ the pin under the cap when he was here but it didn't change the heat output  - he was talking about full replacement. What do you think?

TeeAy

silvercar said:

Also, as a comparison what would it cost in labour and parts to replace 7 radiator valves? 

Depends if you have a combi boiler or conventional. On a conventional boiler with a rad stuck on MAX, the system would need to be drained down. On a combi boiler it’s a quick swap. 

its a condensing boiler 

TeeAy

silvercar said:

I’ve had a couple of radiator TRVs replaced under BG care. But I’ve had then done while they were doing the annual servicing. Mine were stuck on OFF rather than on. 

Two things to check, firstly that you have full heating cover and not just boiler - so homecare essential rather than homecare basic. Secondly were these faults existing before you took out the BG homecare policy (or at least did BG note them as an existing fault?) I suspect 7 failing in one go may raise queries. 

Re-reading your post, I would be concerned that BG consider it an existing fault.

tbh its a bit confusing due to what the BG engineer was saying, he even went as far as to say that I should take the maximum cover with no excess then cancel it....I'm sure that's not correct!   

TeeAy

Billxx said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Very possible that a simple head replacement will fix them, TeeYa - very DIYable if so.
If you post a photo of one, we can guide you.
New heads will be around £15 each.

Absolutely agree.  I changed a couple of the heads recently in my son's flat.  Screwfix £16 each.  If you take on BG home care, they will survey your home before they agree the contract.  I doubt they will fix existing faults.  Also depending on the level of cover you have there is an excess (mine is £60).

when I called BG they asked a few questions and then gave me a quote.  They didn't mention a survey, not sure if it's because one of their engineers had visited already? 

 Interestingly the emailed service feedback form afterwards doesn't mention any issues and seems to give the rads the all clear.  or am I reading into this what I *wish* for?  lol

silvercar

TeeAy said:

Billxx said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Very possible that a simple head replacement will fix them, TeeYa - very DIYable if so.
If you post a photo of one, we can guide you.
New heads will be around £15 each.

Absolutely agree.  I changed a couple of the heads recently in my son's flat.  Screwfix £16 each.  If you take on BG home care, they will survey your home before they agree the contract.  I doubt they will fix existing faults.  Also depending on the level of cover you have there is an excess (mine is £60).

when I called BG they asked a few questions and then gave me a quote.  They didn't mention a survey, not sure if it's because one of their engineers had visited already? 

 Interestingly the emailed service feedback form afterwards doesn't mention any issues and seems to give the rads the all clear.  or am I reading into this what I *wish* for?  lol

The radiators work and don't leak. There is no comment there on whether the TRVs are actually operating. 

If they were being vigilant they would spot this when they came to do the repair. Also, they would be suspicious if you called them out to repair 7 valves in the first month of having the contract. In practice, the engineer on the callout probably doesn't care, as long as you have a care contract that covers the valves they would probably repair it.