Gas Boiler Maintenance

Robert5988

About ten years ago BG stopped taking the burners out and/or cleaning them in the annual service.

SJB,
I wonder if the various regions have different policy on servicing and/or repairs.

I have 2 central heating systems - a 16 year old large Potterton boiler in my house and a smaller Worcester combi boiler in a cottage - part of the same property.

They certainly still remove and clean the burner in the Potterton boiler - I watch them do it. Also they have never tried to persuade me that my boiler needs replacement; in fact just the opposite - see earlier post.

My only gripe with BG is that I pay the same(less a 10% reduction) for the modern, far less complicated and much smaller system in the cottage - they service both on the same annual visit.

c011410

The only reason i have stopped with british Gas is i have had my moneys worth out of them already, i know thet tried it on with saying a needed a new boiler, in fact i probably do because it is around 12 years old and not energy effecient, but the fact of the matter is i cannot afford a new heating system at the moment and BG are giving me some sort of reassurance that if something does go wrong they can repair the fault without me shelling out large amounts of dosh which i do not have.

lesta_jesta

I have been with BG for a number of years and they have always serviced the boiler.

They do try to get you to have the service done during the week however, I always insist they call at the weekend and they do.

They have found a number of problems and replaced parts FOC. The boiler is well over 15yrs old and have yet to suggest I replace the boiler although we have had conversations about new boilers being more economical

MissMoneysaver_4

We're having problems with our boiler at the moment so need to have it serviced. I'm thinking of taking out insurance to cover this for the future. Can I take out the insurance with BG and then get them to cover the cost of the repairs or would they expect us to foot the bill and have the boiler working 100% before taking us on as customers?

djohn2002uk

Just try and join, they don't always do an inspection before accepting you. If they do you'll probably have to get it done first but if they don't then you can leave it untill, say, the new year then ring them about it.

largeloins

Re: nationwide
I just tried them and they don't cover Milton Keynes! - yet!
After reading all your valuable comments I am now going to cancel my BG contract and take a chance for a couple more years.

Here's my original question which I posted in the wrong place :-[
Does anyone know of a cheaper alternative to British Gas for their “HomeCare Central Heating Care” or maintenance? As the contract I have with them has just nearly doubled in price as I have two boilers on one hot water/radiator system. This is very annoying as I explained that I had two boilers to the “sales person” when I took the agreement out, but he said he could not give a me price over the phone but did not think it would be much. I now find after their first inspection visit I will be paying £29.50 per month instead of £16.00, which I think you will agree is a big increase. My system is just over two years old and I live in Milton Keynes – please help.

Robert5988

We're having problems with our boiler at the moment so need to have it serviced. I'm thinking of taking out insurance to cover this for the future. Can I take out the insurance with BG and then get them to cover the cost of the repairs or would they expect us to foot the bill and have the boiler working 100% before taking us on as customers?

BG are certainly supposed to check that your system is working correctly before they will start you on the 3* service. Otherwise none of us would ever join the scheme until we had a problem.

Beck_2-2

I am new to all this so forgive me if I seem a little scetchy

I may not be able to help you short term but I will possibly be able to help you mid to long term.

I have just been checking out the website https://www.energyhelpline.com for my gas and electric switching as recommended by Martin Lewis and I noticed a website link to a company call Homecall+ within their site, I clicked on the link https://www.homecallplus.co.uk and the cover looks good for the money, but hey thats just me speaking.

hope this helps out

pattycake

I took out the PowerGen offer at the beginning of December. There is a 30 day waiting period so the policy became active on 2 January.
I have only today received the paperwork and see that the cover for breakdowns is only during normal working hours unless someone in the home would be at risk (babies or elderly)
This is not what I was told when I rang and enquired originally. I was give the 24 hour 365 days a year speech. The operator did say that if a call was made before 10a.m. a visit would be made that day. After 10a.m. the visit would be the next day. She neglected to mention this was just Monday to Friday and of course does not include Christmas Day etc.
I am in a quandary now as to whether to cancel. I am getting the 3 months free but my concern is to keep warm.
Any thoughts guys?

Robert5988

I took out the PowerGen offer at the beginning of December. There is a 30 day waiting period so the policy became active on 2 January.
I have only today received the paperwork and see that the cover for breakdowns is only during normal working hours unless someone in the home would be at risk (babies or elderly)
This is not what I was told when I rang and enquired originally. I was give the 24 hour 365 days a year speech. The operator did say that if a call was made before 10a.m. a visit would be made that day. After 10a.m. the visit would be the next day. She neglected to mention this was just Monday to Friday and of course does not include Christmas Day etc.
I am in a quandary now as to whether to cancel. I am getting the 3 months free but my concern is to keep warm.
Any thoughts guys?

How much is the Powergen scheme? it would need to be considerably less than BG in my opinion.

If it is much cheaper consider having a baby or elderly person 'on call'