Anyone Need A New Boiler?

[Rhona]

If you do, this might be of interest, or indeed persuade you to do it if you were previously undecided!

BBC News - New boiler scheme to cut energy bills launched

[Two_Sheds]

They launched the boiler scheme a fortnight after we had ours done.

(and the credit crunch happened - prices plummeted - a month after we bought this house)

Done? We have been!

[SarzWix]

Funnily enough,I've just been going through that info on the Energy Saving Trust website We definitely qualify - our boiler is over 20 years old! Think I'm going to give BG a call; they are going to be matching the Gov't contribution apparently.

[Bulbaholic]

I wish! This only applies in England and Wales. The Scottish Government have yet to take it on board.

[OverWyreGrower]

Not much use for us.... we have a decrepid old 'back boiler', but need an entirely new heating system.... it will cost in the thousands, and £400 won't make much of a difference

[selfraising]

Gonna look at this too, thanks for the link, cos our boiler is about 20 years old!

[jaykay]

Hmm, our boiler is now over 20 years old so we qualify, but it's still working fine so not sure what to do. My mum and dad replaced their boiler last summer and was told that the new modern boilers will not last anywhere as long as the older models. My sister also got a new boiler about a year ago and had to have it replaced because it broke down and couldn't be repaired!

Maybe she was unlucky, but has anyone else had good/bad experiences with the new energy efficient boilers?

[stella]

Boilers urgh......I still have not got heat/hot water. The plumber came out yesterday said I need 4 replacement parts for the boiler (cost£400) much cheaper than new boiler and he would be here today to replace them
Today he rang to say the shop for the parts is closed as they have no heat

[bubblewrap]

It's all right if you have £2,000 ish for the new boiler you then claim the £400 back.

And any way we don't have £1,600 to spare.

[green thing]

my bosch green star 37cdi combi boiler cost £900.00 (37kw will do 1 bathroom 2-3 bedroom house) and a local plumber would charge around £500 to swap it over if its a easy job.
with the grants system you have to use an approved contractor who will charge two-three time the price it should be.
you can by a low cost A rated combi boiler for £500.00

my gran got a price to lay loft insulation in her house £840.00 with a 50% discount energy saving grant
total for her to pay £420.00 .who is paying for all this !! me and you !! who's making huge profits out of this !! it cost £120.00 to buy the insulation and three hour to lay.

I've even had them around trying to sell me cavity wall insulation on the grant system
and my house has no cavity !!!!!!! IT'S A SOLID WALL !!!!!!!

it should be called energy saving tax not grant

[geoff]

We could very well do with a new boiler. Ours broke down a few days ago, so we are managing fairly well with the gas fire, immersion heater and a couple of electric fires at the moment
The boiler is obsolete and the plumber is phoning around to try to get the parts; a new circuit board
We have enquired about grants, but the scrappage scheme only applies to your existing boiler if it is in working condition, which seems a bit silly to us, the plumber, and everyone else we've spoken to
There are grants for over 60s, which I will be in April, so we might just carry on till then. It must get warmer soon!

[RedThorn]

Oh dear Geoff. I hope they either find the spares quick or it wrams up quick for you

[Brengirl]

my bosch green star 37cdi combi boiler cost £900.00 (37kw will do 1 bathroom 2-3 bedroom house) and a local plumber would charge around £500 to swap it over if its a easy job.
with the grants system you have to use an approved contractor who will charge two-three time the price it should be.

Not necessarily so. We have a new boiler and quailfied for a rebate last year. I shopped around for the most competitive local plumber. The plumber then applies to be 'certified' There is a fee which I offered to pay. Saved hundreds of pounds.

[ammi]

Thanks for the link. My mother-in-law was desperate for a new boiler as hers started to leak just after christmas. Ive sent her the link now so she may be able to afford it easier now.

[Hilary B]

A good reliable make of old boiler, regularly serviced, will probably still be going when the obscure-make new one put in by previous occupiers of the house (perhaps 5 years ago) and not serviced since, has been scrapped.
The best way to conserve energy is to set the thermostat a few degrees lower, and wear a bit more clothing. If some members of the household are especially vulnerable to cold, use thermostats on the radiators to get their room warmer than the rest!
Curtains may be nearly as good at keeping heat in as double glazing, and ventilation is at least as important as warmth (in fact the warmer the house, the more ventilation you need).
Must get off surveying soap-box.