Official Free Boilers and Insulation guide discussion

GDA/DEA wrote: »

Hello, It is not just the energy companies who can replace boilers, I am an Energy Assessor working for a local gas installer, we have fitted lots of boilers for free under ECO and there is no 6-8 week turnaround as others have said. Last week I was doing the benefit and energy efficiency check on Monday and the customer had their new boiler fitted Thursday of the same week. :j As long as you have proof of living in a privately rented or owned property (mortgage statement or tenancy agreement) and proof of eligible benefit (Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit/Pension Credit, Etc award notices) there is no reason to get tied up in knots to get the boiler replaced. Hope this helps.

This is possibly the answer to my question re this subject. We had a company call us and offer us a free boiler - we qualify - my partner dealt with the caller and today a person came to the house and spoke to my OH about it all. He took a photo of our house deeds and obviously needed evidence of our tax credits - I was not at home and so OH couldn't find the evidence till I got home. Anyway, to cut a long story short, the company didn't leave any documentation or anything and whilst they have a webpage detailing their property business and energy business, there is little info. I felt a little suspicious - shouldn't they have left us at least a leaflet or something, or am I just being over cautious? Would they be able to scam us with copies of our benefits info? As I say, I may just be being paranoid because they are not a 'big' company.

I wonder if there is any way of checking the company is legit. It does come up on that company checker site, but I don't know if that means anything.

That's not the way to welcome new contributors Richie. Unless I am missing something, GDA/DEA didn't mention the company he/she works for, or attempt to get anyone to part with personal info. Whilst there have been plenty of chancers up to such tricks, he/she should get the benefit of the doubt that he does not fall into that category.

I just spoke with EDF about my ECO boiler application as I hadn't heard anything from them since I applied online on 4.7.13. I have been told that the scheme isn't yet up and running (?) and that they expect it to be much later this year when I may hear back from them (?) I was given an ECO Application No - and a direct telephone no, 0800 0968634 to call for intermittant updates on my application.
Does this make sense to anyone? - I thought the boilers were being replaced, well, like, ..now?

papoosue wrote: »

This is possibly the answer to my question re this subject. We had a company call us and offer us a free boiler - we qualify - my partner dealt with the caller and today a person came to the house and spoke to my OH about it all. He took a photo of our house deeds and obviously needed evidence of our tax credits - I was not at home and so OH couldn't find the evidence till I got home. Anyway, to cut a long story short, the company didn't leave any documentation or anything and whilst they have a webpage detailing their property business and energy business, there is little info. I felt a little suspicious - shouldn't they have left us at least a leaflet or something, or am I just being over cautious? Would they be able to scam us with copies of our benefits info? As I say, I may just be being paranoid because they are not a 'big' company.

I wonder if there is any way of checking the company is legit. It does come up on that company checker site, but I don't know if that means anything.

Hi,

Unfortunately the world and his wife has jumped on this scheme and there are a lot of companies offering to do the work, some as in all things are better than others, I have come across people who have had 5 or 6 different companies take their information (that bit is necessary BTW) but have not heard anything since. Really it is just a case of find a good one, I would say from my experience however if you find a local gas boiler fitter that is part of the scheme, they are more likely to get the boiler done, as that is when they get paid. Just my observation having recently moved from a National EPC provider doing ECO surveys to a local gas fitter. Hope this helps.

CGG wrote: »

I just spoke with EDF about my ECO boiler application as I hadn't heard anything from them since I applied online on 4.7.13. I have been told that the scheme isn't yet up and running (?) and that they expect it to be much later this year when I may hear back from them (?) I was given an ECO Application No - and a direct telephone no, 0800 0968634 to call for intermittant updates on my application.
Does this make sense to anyone? - I thought the boilers were being replaced, well, like, ..now?

I'd say they mean their scheme isn't up and running, the ECO scheme is up and running for sure!