New Boiler needed? - BG refuse to service and condem

James_N

We've had a reliable back-boiler that we put in on a BG contracted out deal years ago, and which has been on a BG contract ever since. It has a fire, which is so efficient we hardly ever need it on for more than a few minutes, and it's only downfall is a sometime itrritating failure to "take" when it sparks up.

In house improvements sometime later - ** I ** installed an underfloor vent - not originally deemed necessary - and we have a CO2 detector (mains).

When the boiler pumps went wrong a year ago - after some years of annual servicing and payments a year of +£150 - we were suprised to find BG reluctant to mend such an "old" system. Apparantly they'd find it hard to get the parts. Odd this - no mention when they took the money all those years.

We came under intense pressure to pay for a new boiler, but we resisted and suprise suprise they found the parts. But they also slapped a "dangerous - customer advised" sticker on the boiler, told me it could kill us and that THIS year - 2008 - they would disconnect it. The explanation was that new EU regulations made back-boilers illegal. Apparantly we have to have a balanced flue boiler - which CANNOT be a back boiler.

Now I have several problems with this - not least that they condemm a well-serviced appliance they THEY installed. Also, in our house, the layout makes it impossible to have any boiler of the new type except in a bedroom - I know from experience what THAT is like - no thanks.

Has anyone else experienced this - I don't trust BG any more. After this BG contact ends can I legally keep this perfectly good boiler running? Would a local guy service it for me? If well maintained and with an alarm is it truly lethal? If i do decide to get a new boiler, is it true that backboilers are now not available?

Any info please??? TY

Cardew

I do know there have been a number of changes to the regulations on Gas CH.

I have an outside boiler room. Initially I had advisory notices that it had inadequate ventilation. The BG fitters 'off the record' stated it was a nonsense; however eventually it became mandatory and they installed the vent.

I also had the 'spare parts not available' letter, with a follow up by BG sales team; so after many years I left their scheme.

That said I always had a full and comprehensive report on the advisory and mandatory notices in writing; so I hardly think they would be telling you any untruths if you also have in writing what you have stated above.

I suspect a Corgi registered plumber would follow exactly the same regulations as BG and refuse to service the fire.

jcorbygas

You will find its because of new rules re ventilation which come out 1st June 2008.
Last year your boiler and ventilation would be 'not to current standards' - next week it will be classed as 'at risk' and would be turned off by BG.-
Back boilers are not illegal but you have to make sure the ventilation is to current standards. A Corgi engineer would be able to advise you on updating the ventilation (so should BG but their interest is selling you a new boiler)

James_N

I have just read a newspaper article mentioning a "points-based-system" that allows for a new back-boiler to be installed. Does anyone have more detailed information please?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2007/02/20/plevel18.xml

jcorbygas

You have to get a score of over 1000 points to be able to have a new back boiler/fire fitted.
Points are as follows - for a flat 710 points, mid terrace 640 points and others ie detached 590 points.
You then add 350 points if you would have to position a new boiler in a different room than your existing boiler.
You would then add 200 points if you had to have a flue longer than 2m for the new boiler in the new position.
You would then add 100 points if you had to have a condensate pump or soakaway.
Hope this helps, but if your existing bbu works I would keep going with it and get someone else to service it each year and update the ventilation.

Canucklehead

James_N wrote: »

I have just read a newspaper article mentioning a "points-based-system" that allows for a new back-boiler to be installed. Does anyone have more detailed information please?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2007/02/20/plevel18.xml

Good evening: If you have the time, here is the entire assessment procedure guide ...don't nod off;)


HTH

Canucklehead

James_N

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good evening: If you have the time, here is the entire assessment procedure guide ...don't nod off;)


HTH

Canucklehead

It was fairly quick to read and our circumstances almost exactly fit one of the examples. A clear result and I can now tell BG exacly what they can do with their "compulsory" resiting of our boiler, with some degree of authority.

Canucklehead

James_N wrote: »

I have just read a newspaper article mentioning a "points-based-system" that allows for a new back-boiler to be installed. Does anyone have more detailed information please?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2007/02/20/plevel18.xml

Good morning: Despite what Jeff Howell says in your link, condensing boilers do not need to be installed on an outside wall. For example, my OH installs condensing boilers (usually combis) in airing cupboards (vertical flue) and lofts when replacing BBU/other non-condensing boilers (vertical flue or horizontal flue dependent on site conditions)....preferred location for the majority of his clients has been the kitchen if possible i.e. save airing cupboard for storage/don't have to go up into the loft to check boiler) What type of property do you have? Flat? My OH has used the exemption once since April 2005 (Grade II listed flat in Central London)...my understanding is that only a small % of boilers installed since April 2005 have been non-condensing and that in many properties, even though they qualified for an exemption under the assessment procedure, the owners opted for a condensing boiler.

Good luck.

Canucklehead

James_N

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good morning: Despite what Jeff Howell says in your link, condensing boilers do not need to be installed on an outside wall. For example, my OH installs condensing boilers (usually combis) in airing cupboards (vertical flue) and lofts when replacing BBU/other non-condensing boilers (vertical flue or horizontal flue dependent on site conditions)....preferred location for the majority of his clients has been the kitchen if possible i.e. save airing cupboard for storage/don't have to go up into the loft to check boiler) What type of property do you have?

Canucklehead

We have a mid-terraced house, with a non-continuous flooring through to the rear section of the house, a neighbours fence within 1.5m over a paved area, and a legally converted loft space where the fire-regulations prevent breaching the fire-barrier.