Gas Boiler Maintenance

RedOnRed

I left British Gas for independent cover and most importantly, regardless of the money saved, found it to be not as good a standard as BG.

My parents used NPower's cover and had an absolute nightmare. Their central heating was down over christmas in about minus 10 for about a fortnight until I eventually got on the phone to NP myself.

If you use an alternative to BG, you tend to get a sub contracting plumber come round moaning about how little he's getting for it and that he'd rather be some where else.

BG may not be perfect or the cheapest, but overall you can't beat them in my view.

sabelu

Nationwide do not cover my postcode.

Robert5988

I'm passing this on secondhand - I've never had BG cover and wouldn't ever have it either.

But apparently they changed the terms of the cover, quite a few years back, replacing an annual SERVICE with an annual INSPECTION. They didn't change the wording for no reason - they changed it because they are doing less.

If you think you've saved money compared to getting faults fixed when they need fixing, that's very good for you.

On my 3* BG cover I most certainly get a full service - burner removed and cleaned etc - I have watched them do it. I don't have a lot of time for BG as a supplier but their 3* cover has always been excellent.

Contrary to the statement that they are always trying to sell you a new boiler etc a salesman came(at my invitation) to look at my 16 year old boiler and said that the savings on the new generation boilers would be minimal and I should get another 10 years use from it before parts started getting hard to obtain.

zain

I've been turned down by nationwide gas cover . They do not cover my postcode!. I can't decide between british Gas or powergen? Any advice?

Jodie_2-2

If this helps Powergens cover is backed by Domestic and General who cover a large proportion of electrical warranties and guarantees.

The three month free offer is a good one.

But it all depends if the extra money is worth knowing BG have been doing this for years! Personally I would go with the Powergen one if they covered my boiler!
I think my boiler is past insuring but still going strong at 21 years old (I am currently crossing everything I have and touching wood!)

dougk_2

I have never had cover for heating or electrical good or other similar things. My theory being if I took cover for everything I would be spending more than my monthly wage and not everything can go wrong!

Car Insurance and House insurance is essential and in relative terms is cheap and not worth a risk of not having it - spending £200 a year on a house worth £85,000 in rebuild costs is a very small percent. Spending £150 a year on a boiler costing £400 and a few radiators worth £25 each doesn't seem worth it to me. Especially if your boiler is classed as beyond repair - you have to pay for the new one anyway.

The parts for central heating systems are not expensive if you buy them yourself. BG quoted a markup on the boiler of 70% over what i as a normal person could buy it as (not even trade price) when I enquired about having a replacement.

In terms of small things (leaking taps/radiators) I can do them myself and don't really matter if they are not available for a day or too - is it really essential to have them or is really that urgent if you can turn the water to them off?

I have seen annual servicing being done and to me its often a con.... the last time my boiler was serviced it was done in 15 minutes and involved looking at the pilot flame, adjusting an airscrew and pluging a hoover in to clean out dust.... and that was £60 gone!

Sorry IMHO insurances like these as MMD are sold via scare tactics.

So as this is a money saving expert forum I would say - study a bit and learn to do things for yourself - you will save plenty!

zain

Dougk - I have spoken to other people and i am going to take your advice! The service of the boiler you describe is similar to other experences. You put a strong logical argument across.
Thanks

chateau42

dougk, Yes, you have made some very good comments, right on the points, in fact.

nationwide_3

I have just moved to a old style terrace house and I have a glowworm combi boiler that I do not know how old it is so I have signed up for the BG 3* service. They are coming around to inspect the boiler and radiators on 12 Nov 04. I will let you know how I get on.

MarkyMarkD

@Dougk - well argued point and thanks for making it!

@nationwide - if they tell you it needs replacing, please please please get a second opinion from a genuine firm.