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Dec 27, 2022
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A Google brought up this article which is more or less accurate on costs even though the article is over 2 years old. https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money...mp-gas-boiler-maintenance-costs-compared.html
Good enough for today.
Our house will cost us approx £ 18 k for the air pump and installation including changes to dads and pipework.
A solar panel system is circa £10k with the ancillary battery storage. We are East West orientation so unless panels are fitted on both elevations it will only ever be 50% effective.

Break even , pay back time ,is approx 10 years.

No guarantee the pump will be silent. Will it upset our neighbours even though we are detached?
Imo best leave these pumps to purpose built new homes.
 
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Good enough for today.
Our house will cost us approx £ 18 k for the air pump and installation including changes to dads and pipework.
A solar panel system is circa £10k with the ancillary battery storage. We are East West orientation so unless panels are fitted on both elevations it will only ever be 50% effective.

Break even , pay back time ,is approx 10 years.

No guarantee the pump will be silent. Will it upset our neighbours even though we are detached?
Imo best leave these pumps to purpose built new homes.
What will happen when gas boilers are finally taken off of the market. I believe 2035 could be the end date. So a new one then would last until say 2050. But if owners don't get in on time they are faced with some difficult choices.

Does your £18k include the deduction of the £7500 grant for heat pump. It's not means tested or finance related. Available to all at present.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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What will happen when gas boilers are finally taken off of the market. I believe 2035 could be the end date. So a new one then would last until say 2050. But if owners don't get in on time they are faced with some difficult choices.

Does your £18k include the deduction of the £7500 grant for heat pump. It's not means tested or finance related. Available to all at present.
No. Gross figures. Re plumbing our house will be a major upheaval requiring plastering decorating every room. The cost🙀

A year is a long time in politics.

Hopefully by 2035 some sensibility will have returned to Westminster!
 
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Jan 3, 2012
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British Gas price for boiler service is between £99 if you area BG member, or £119 for one off service.
Since new our 7year old Combi boiler been on a homecare 3 that includes a service and it just been completed and the engineer passed it with flying colours .
 
Dec 27, 2022
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We are East West orientation so unless panels are fitted on both elevations it will only ever be 50% effective.
Panels are cheap, I would go for double the number of panels split either side. It's what my neighbour a few doors down has done in the same situation.
 
Jun 16, 2020
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Wish I could get my boiler serviced for £80!
Just looked at my bank statement and it's been £135 for the last two years plus £197 to get the solar thermal serviced every two years.
From my POV the article is slightly low on gas boiler service costs.
We only pay around £80. Guess it’s a post code thing.


John
 
Nov 16, 2015
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We only pay around £80. Guess it’s a post code thing.


John
It must be £65, serviced by local installer, MK 17. Rural Milton Keynes.

He has had Solar panels installed by a company,, on his house, he doesn't own them and paid nothing, he doesn't get money back from the grid, the owners of the solar panels get that, he only pays a very minimum electric.
Sounds like a win, win, thing.
 

Sam Vimes

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Sep 7, 2020
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Service plans from different providers come in a range from a basic service to more comprehensive heating system coverage and/or even appliances, plumbing and drains.

So it's not just about comparing prices unless you detail what the cover includes.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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It must be £65, serviced by local installer, MK 17. Rural Milton Keynes.

He has had Solar panels installed by a company,, on his house, he doesn't own them and paid nothing, he doesn't get money back from the grid, the owners of the solar panels get that, he only pays a very minimum electric.
Sounds like a win, win, thing.
Not until he tries to sell the house. Plus when I looked at a scheme like that if for example work was required on the house and it affected the panels then the house owner would be liable for the loss of income to the panel owner. Unless contracts have changed it wasn’t WIN WIN.

PS another aspect that was in the lease contract sent to us was that if panels had to be removed for any reason outwith the company’s responsibility then the home owner was totally responsible for the total cost of removal, storage, reinstatement and loss of export tariffs. So if we had had them fitted our costs to replace the roof membrane would have escalated well beyond the £8k we paid. It would have been Catch 22 as the OEM membrane was totally impermeable and had been banned under subsequent changes to building regulations.
Imagine trying to decide what to do if you wanted to sell the house?

IMG_1545.jpeg
 
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Service plans from different providers come in a range from a basic service to more comprehensive heating system coverage and/or even appliances, plumbing and drains.

So it's not just about comparing prices unless you detail what the cover includes.
There is a standard boiler service which is accepted by, I think, all manufacturers, in order to cover the guarrentee.

I have a Baxi, this is their requirements.

An annual service will start with a visual check to ensure that the boiler and associated pipework is installed and positioned correctly. Your engineer will then check that your boiler is operating correctly and identify any initial problems. Then they will remove the boiler casing to look at its components. They will check the boiler is working safely and efficiently, and clean the components inside the boiler.



The engineer will check the following:

  • Correct gas pressure and flow
  • Flue and combustion. A flue gas analyser will be used to make sure the boiler is burning the right mixture of gas and air and that the flue is not blocked
  • Electrical connections are clean and in good condition
  • Fans and other key components are working efficiently
  • Seals are intact
  • Electrodes are in a good condition
  • Safety devices are checked
  • Condensate trap and pipe is not blocked
  • Water and gas pipework

The engineer should inform you if the boiler does not meet building and safety legislation and regulations during their checks. Make sure that the engineer explains any repairs or maintenance work they need to undertake and ensure any parts used come from a reputable manufacturer, ideally from the boiler manufacturer itself.

As a guide, most boiler services should last around half an hour and you should receive a full service report. Only sign this report if you are happy with every element of the service your boiler has received.

Mine also includes the magnetron cleaning.

John
 
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There is a standard boiler service which is accepted by, I think, all manufacturers, in order to cover the guarrentee.

I have a Baxi, this is their requirements.

An annual service will start with a visual check to ensure that the boiler and associated pipework is installed and positioned correctly. Your engineer will then check that your boiler is operating correctly and identify any initial problems. Then they will remove the boiler casing to look at its components. They will check the boiler is working safely and efficiently, and clean the components inside the boiler.



The engineer will check the following:

  • Correct gas pressure and flow
  • Flue and combustion. A flue gas analyser will be used to make sure the boiler is burning the right mixture of gas and air and that the flue is not blocked
  • Electrical connections are clean and in good condition
  • Fans and other key components are working efficiently
  • Seals are intact
  • Electrodes are in a good condition
  • Safety devices are checked
  • Condensate trap and pipe is not blocked
  • Water and gas pipework

The engineer should inform you if the boiler does not meet building and safety legislation and regulations during their checks. Make sure that the engineer explains any repairs or maintenance work they need to undertake and ensure any parts used come from a reputable manufacturer, ideally from the boiler manufacturer itself.

As a guide, most boiler services should last around half an hour and you should receive a full service report. Only sign this report if you are happy with every element of the service your boiler has received.

Mine also includes the magnetron cleaning.

John
Recently our daughter’s boiler was serviced. She was home at the time so went to put some stuff back in to the airing cupboard snd noticed a leak from the magnetic filter so put a bowl underneath it. I shot around and isolated it using the two valves. Could not contact the technician so had to arrange an online call for next day. Around 0830 next morning another technician arrived and said filter had not been properly cleaned. So he redid it, put the system on and waited 15 minutes. All looked good, but sometime later daughter noticed it was still leaking but not so fast. She isolated as by now she’s getting good at such things. I contacted the technician and he returned later that afternoon and took it apart again and replaced the seals. Now a week later it’s still leak free. Glad it wasn’t a gas pipe fitting.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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looks like the heat pump grant is going in the budget
Well I think it’s correct that it’s not correctly targeted. I recall that when the last government reduced grants, or feed in tariffs, for solar panels cries of whoa came from the industry. Forecasts of large job cuts, increased emmisions etc. But after a short while panel prices dropped significantly and the industry continued to grow. Often subsidies lead to artificially inflated prices.
 
Jul 18, 2017
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looks like the heat pump grant is going in the budget
If the grant is removed, surely they cannot then make it mandatory on a new build? More than likely the cost of the heat pump is included in the mortgage would I be correct in thinking that although the heat pump cost £10,000 to install today, but by the time the mortgage has been paid off the owner would probably have paid £20000 for the heat pump?
 
Nov 11, 2009
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If the grant is removed, surely they cannot then make it mandatory on a new build? More than likely the cost of the heat pump is included in the mortgage would I be correct in thinking that although the heat pump cost £10,000 to install today, but by the time the mortgage has been paid off the owner would probably have paid £20000 for the heat pump?
Of course it can be made mandatory in new build. They don’t qualify for the grant anyway as it is not replacing an existing gas system. You are also ignoring the cost of installing gas heating isn’t within the house price.

It’s incredible that other things being equal I could have had a heat pump installed for around £4-5k with the grant, but a new combi condensing boiler was quoted at £7k. Economics of the mad house, but I would probably have taken it were the house suitable.
 
Nov 6, 2005
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If the grant is removed, surely they cannot then make it mandatory on a new build? More than likely the cost of the heat pump is included in the mortgage would I be correct in thinking that although the heat pump cost £10,000 to install today, but by the time the mortgage has been paid off the owner would probably have paid £20000 for the heat pump?
Those sort of grants should never be regarded as a long-term subsidy - they're a short-term boost to get the industry/market going - like double glazing and cavity wall insulation, that weren't standard 50 years ago, home buyers have to bear the cost, and benefit, of higher modern standards.
 
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Sam Vimes

Moderator
Sep 7, 2020
2,671
2,131
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There is a standard boiler service which is accepted by, I think, all manufacturers, in order to cover the guarrentee.

I have a Baxi, this is their requirements.

An annual service will start with a visual check to ensure that the boiler and associated pipework is installed and positioned correctly. Your engineer will then check that your boiler is operating correctly and identify any initial problems. Then they will remove the boiler casing to look at its components. They will check the boiler is working safely and efficiently, and clean the components inside the boiler.

The engineer will check the following:

  • Correct gas pressure and flow
  • Flue and combustion. A flue gas analyser will be used to make sure the boiler is burning the right mixture of gas and air and that the flue is not blocked
  • Electrical connections are clean and in good condition
  • Fans and other key components are working efficiently
  • Seals are intact
  • Electrodes are in a good condition
  • Safety devices are checked
  • Condensate trap and pipe is not blocked
  • Water and gas pipework

The engineer should inform you if the boiler does not meet building and safety legislation and regulations during their checks. Make sure that the engineer explains any repairs or maintenance work they need to undertake and ensure any parts used come from a reputable manufacturer, ideally from the boiler manufacturer itself.

As a guide, most boiler services should last around half an hour and you should receive a full service report. Only sign this report if you are happy with every element of the service your boiler has received.

Mine also includes the magnetron cleaning.

John
Standard services are ok if your realise what you're actually getting. They'll check things but not fix them - much like a car service.

My daughter for example being a single mum and at the other end of the country needed more so she has a Home Care package which not only includes the service but will also fix things and includes parts and labour - and on more than just the boiler.

  • Unlimited repairs to your boiler and controls and gas supply pipes that are visible and accessible
  • Unlimited repairs to your gas central heating system, including radiators.
  • All parts and labour
  • Accidental Damage
  • Emergency, priority and standard repairs
  • Annual boiler service (may be more than 12 months apart)
  • Cover up to £1,000 (including VAT) to gain access and make good for each repair
  • Boiler replacement if we can't repair it and it is less than 7 years old (or less than 10 years old and we installed it and have covered it ever since)
  • Replacement of parts that we can't repair (subject to terms and conditions)

What’s not included


  • Claims within the first 14 days of you taking out the product
  • Pre-existing faults or design faults
  • System improvements or upgrades
  • Repairs that are purely cosmetic

You pays your money and takes your choice but like most things of this nature you need to understand just what you're getting in return.
 
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I have read somewhere the old FiT solar grants are being looked at, now the U turn on tax anything goes. bring back Monty Python.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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Standard services are ok if your realise what you're actually getting. They'll check things but not fix them - much like a car service.

My daughter for example being a single mum and at the other end of the country needed more so she has a Home Care package which not only includes the service but will also fix things and includes parts and labour - and on more than just the boiler.

  • Unlimited repairs to your boiler and controls and gas supply pipes that are visible and accessible
  • Unlimited repairs to your gas central heating system, including radiators.
  • All parts and labour
  • Accidental Damage
  • Emergency, priority and standard repairs
  • Annual boiler service (may be more than 12 months apart)
  • Cover up to £1,000 (including VAT) to gain access and make good for each repair
  • Boiler replacement if we can't repair it and it is less than 7 years old (or less than 10 years old and we installed it and have covered it ever since)
  • Replacement of parts that we can't repair (subject to terms and conditions)

What’s not included


  • Claims within the first 14 days of you taking out the product
  • Pre-existing faults or design faults
  • System improvements or upgrades
  • Repairs that are purely cosmetic

You pays your money and takes your choice but like most things of this nature you need to understand just what you're getting in return.
Similarly our daughter has a full Homecare package that looks after the boiler, controls, radiators , valves plus emergency call out for drains, electric and plumbing. The latter worked very well two years back when on Christmas Eve she noticed a drip coming through the lounge ceiling, so the emergency line was called and a plumber came out by early afternoon, he stopped the leak temporarily and came back after Christmas to make it a permanent fix. We set that arrangement up so that wherever we were we could call on support for her 24/7.
 
Jan 3, 2012
11,136
2,602
40,935
Standard services are ok if your realise what you're actually getting. They'll check things but not fix them - much like a car service.

My daughter for example being a single mum and at the other end of the country needed more so she has a Home Care package which not only includes the service but will also fix things and includes parts and labour - and on more than just the boiler.

  • Unlimited repairs to your boiler and controls and gas supply pipes that are visible and accessible
  • Unlimited repairs to your gas central heating system, including radiators.
  • All parts and labour
  • Accidental Damage
  • Emergency, priority and standard repairs
  • Annual boiler service (may be more than 12 months apart)
  • Cover up to £1,000 (including VAT) to gain access and make good for each repair
  • Boiler replacement if we can't repair it and it is less than 7 years old (or less than 10 years old and we installed it and have covered it ever since)
  • Replacement of parts that we can't repair (subject to terms and conditions)

What’s not included


  • Claims within the first 14 days of you taking out the product
  • Pre-existing faults or design faults
  • System improvements or upgrades
  • Repairs that are purely cosmetic

You pays your money and takes your choice but like most things of this nature you need to understand just what you're getting in return.
Mine was homecare three cover , because with our bungalow we wanted plumbing & drains cover but after the gas engineeer did a thorough job on our boiler we were happy to have a chat but homecare renewal price is £370.76 , So i rang up and manage to get a discount to £315.so we are with them for another year .
 

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