British Gas Homecare - Free Boiler Replacement - Choices

[Libertas]

Hi all,

 

My boiler (Ideal H30 - 6 years old), has been ruled beyond economical repair.

 

They tried to sell me a new install, cost = £2900. I have their formal quote in writing. They recommended a Wocester Bosch (model 30si) for this house in quote.

 

After this - I did research.

 

We infact, do qualify for a free boiler replacement.

 

We meet all the conditions. Spoke to them - they confirmed, you are entitled to free boiler replacement.

 

My question:

 

For the free replacement, they want to use a different boiler than the one recommended in the quote. As my current boiler (ideal HE30) is no longer manufactured, they want to replace it with the closest model (Ideal Logic 30HE).

 

Ideals boilers , get very poor ratings when I've looked (e.g Which? Gas boilers owners' views score = 59%). It has a low reliability rating (below 60%).

 

I would like to get a different boiler fitted. I would like to know what my options are, and what my rights are.

 

1.How could I viably challenge their choice of the replacement ( now an Ideal H30 instead of the Worcester that they initially recommended). (Preferred).

 

2.If not, how can I get them to make xxxx funds avaliable, I chip in more - to get the one I want- i.e. their costs remain the same ,but, I make up the difference.(Acceptable).

 

3.If not what approach can I take take, to get them to send me cheque instead for the value of the boiler - I will chip in more and buy a new one myself.(Worst case).

 

I'm not bashing BG. Nothing like it. Just want to create a win win solution.

 

Thanks all.

[smouk]

1.How could I viably challenge their choice of the replacement ( now an Ideal H30 instead of the Worcester that they initially recommended). (Preferred).

That will depend upon the scheme and the terms under which you qualify.

 

2.If not, how can I get them to make xxxx funds avaliable, I chip in more - to get the one I want- i.e. their costs remain the same ,but, I make up the difference.(Acceptable).

Again, that will depend upon the scheme and the terms under which you qualify. I would be surprised if anything more than a bog-standard combi was on offer or potentially funded.

 

3.If not what approach can I take take, to get them to send me cheque instead for the value of the boiler - I will chip in more and buy a new one myself.(Worst case).

I can't see them doing that somehow....but it can't hurt to ask.

 

I'm not bashing BG. Nothing like it. Just want to create a win win solution.

Not being funny here but are you saying that going from a potential £2900 bill to a free boiler isn't a win-win situation?

[Surfer01]

My niece is having problems with new boiler and is a single parent on a low income. Where can she find out about getting her boiler replaced? thanks.

[Libertas]

Dear Surfer01,

 

Welcome to this thread. I don't wish to be disrespectful, but it is true that your post is not relevant to the nature of the thread. Kindly relocate your post to the main Retail Subforum:-Utilities - Gas, Electricity, Water.

 

Please remove it from this thread.

 

My sincere thanks and respects,

 

I have sent you a PM to help you and your niece.

 

Libertas

[Surfer01]

Dear Surfer01,

 

Welcome to this thread. I don't wish to be disrespectful, but it is true that your post is not relevant to the nature of the thread. Kindly relocate your post to the main Retail Subforum:-Utilities - Gas, Electricity, Water.

 

Please remove it from this thread.

 

My sincere thanks and respects,

 

I have sent you a PM to help you and your niece.

 

Libertas

 

You posted about free boiler replacement and I was looking for help for my niece. You expect help but are not prepared to help? Strange attitude.

[Libertas]

Dear Surfer01,

 

Hope you are well.

 

Sorry to hear about your niece's issues, I understand how hard it can be as a single parent, stuck without heating when its so cold.

 

Just to fill you in. My cover with homecare was taken out 7 years ago. If a boiler is ruled beyond economical repair, they will try and sell you a new one. However the T&C's state that you are covered for a free replacement of the same or equivalent boiler.

 

So My boiler was deemed beyond economical repair by the British gas engineer. They tried to sell us a new one, we said no - free one only as per. the insurance cover please.

 

However they pulled off the powerflush [problem], that seems to be being pushed by BG all the time. £700 for powerflush, or we wont continue to cover the new boiler under warranty.

 

My advice is, if she has Homecare (you didn't give any info. on this), get a cheap powerflush done, if the system is rather old, and the water inside the radiators is brown or black. Once it has been done, and the water is clear, send a sample to the powerflush association, where they test it for free. Also then call up BG and say you want to get an independent test of water done, to see if a powerflush is needed. Do all this before you say the boiler has packed in. Say its just for routine maintainance - you're just being prudent.

 

At this point, if the BG engineer comes to inspect the boiler, before he evens sees the boiler, shove the test results in his hands and say 'your boys, and an independent tester have proved a powerflush is not necessary'. I've already sent a copy to BG, so lets see what the problem with the boiler is, shall we?

 

I'm not a qualified person on this subject. I am a layperson and came up with this strategy on my own. It's too late for me, but maybe it can help your niece.

 

Clearly you had not read my post to you. " I have sent you a PM to help you and your niece". I was typing it, hit send, and it wouldn't let me send it until I have made 30 posts, so I instantly cut and paste the PM here. You haven't mentioned if she is with Homecare too. You haven't mentioned any details that show relevance to my original post, i.e consumer rights regarding an insurance policy, and my ability to counter/modify their offer. In all honesty, reading your post - the only interpretation that I think is reasonable to make, with what you provided is - "my niece needs a replacement boiler,where can she get one". You need to explain if she has an insurance policy, you need to explain if she has none, and you are looking for an assessment, you need to mention if you are simply asking for an installers number, you need to mention if you are looking for a scheme that can help a fellow citizen with her particular circumstances.

 

Warm regards,

 

Leonardo.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Libertas

[Surfer01]

Thanks for the update. She does have a Homecare contract, but I not seen the T&Cs. As she lives nearly 100 miles from us I will ask her to send me photocopies so that I can have a read as her situation sounds very similar to yours.

[Libertas]

.....Not being funny here but are you saying that going from a potential £2900 bill to a free boiler isn't a win-win situation?

 

Thanks for sounding in smouk.

 

The problem is, they'll replace the boiler, as its part of the insurance T&C's, but they then say " you need a powerflush - it will cost you £700-800. If you don't go for (ONLY) our PF, you'll still get the boiler, but after that we refuse to guarantee it and provide cover."

 

I am willing to consider a PF if proved necessary. But I do not want to risk homecare cover of the boiler for the future. I want to get the boiler replaced from them as per. contract. I want to get the PF done, but by a specialist of my choice (not BG), as they will be more reasonable on the price, and do just as good a job.

 

How can I get around their demand, that the PF has to be done by them 'or else'? There must be a way/argument?

Edited December 21, 2012 by Libertas

[Surfer01]

I am fairly sure that there is a long thread on CAG about BGAS and their powerflush, but I cannot remember the outcome any more. I do remember it made interesting reading.

[MrHandyman]

Libertas - You answered your own question - "As my current boiler (ideal HE30) is no longer manufactured, they want to replace it with the closest model (Ideal Logic 30HE)."

 

Example, if you crashed your Ford fiesta, your insurance company won't give you a Porsche to replace it just because it is a better car. Similar principal applies - BG replace your boiler with as equivalent a model as is available.

 

I understand your options are take the replacement, or leave it. There are arrangements in place where BG will claim money back from the boiler manufacturer for replacing your broken system, hence why they won't just give you cash to do with as you please.

 

 

Surfer01, the local Energy Efficiency organisation for your area can usually help. There are schemes in place (definitely in Wales and Scotland, not sure about England) where in some cases the Government will pay for a new heating system and energy efficiency improvements where certain criteria is met

[sham13]

hi not sure if im in the right thread but any one come across edf free boiler scheme we applied had one fitted it started of great but was fitted by a company called dyson heating we had a fault on the boiler because it would not turn off when it reached it temp, because of some fault and also there was no thermostat fitted we have called them now about twelve times not even a phone call from them, these companies seem to be fitting them claiming the money from who ever but can not be botherd to carry out the servicing after, its a disgrace the government should be looking into this i wish i kept my old one because this so called new one is costing me more, if anyone has some info on how to complain somewhere this would be greatfull thanks.