Heating/electric/gas service contract.

[emmerson]

We, like many others have a service contract with a national organization who shall be nameless,. We've had a couple of problems this year, which they have sorted out to our satisfaction.
But, their engineer turned up to do the annual service on our ten-year-old boiler, and told us that the boiler ought to be replaced, as parts were no longer available for it. The company sent a rep round to quote for the boiler replacement.
Much sucking of teeth and head shaking, as the rest of the system is around thirty years old, and will need at least flushing out, and probably replacing as well as the boiler. Total cost between four and five thousand pounds, but he was afraid that they couldn't do the job until January! I politely declined his offer, but he insisted that when the ancient boiler did die, no-one could fix it for lack of parts, and we would be left without heat or hot water, which could be dangerous for my disabled wife.
To cut it short, I asked him to leave, and did some checking of my own with a local heating company. Apparently there are two main failings with my type of boiler and both are available off the shelf just three miles down the road, and yes,if you can service your own car, you can replace these parts yourself.
Guess whose contract won't be renewed next year?

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Yep, similar thing happened to us. Now use a local company, but some of our installation is over 35 years old and still going strong. We did however change the back boiler to a condensing boiler when they first came on the market (late 1980s?) but it leaked for 10 years until the manufacturer came and found the problem because the national servicing company couldn't find it. We also subsequently replaced the boiler in 2006.

 

[Martin24]

Ours is 14 but we want to coax it on until we move in 2017. They carry on bullying each year and we keep telling them where to get off. They haven't pulled the disability one yet though.

 

[Raywood]

We have off peak electric. It worked for over thirty years with no servicing before one radiator failed and comparatively cheap to replace. The cost is no more than gas for us, so we are happy with that and no constant sales patter.

 

[Gafferbill]

Statistics of our gas central heating and hot water boiler............
37 years old.
31 years owned by me.
servicing done by me.
...........in last 31 years only had a new circulation pump.....new more modern electronic controls......new inhibitor regularly.

No I don't believe it either except it is a fact........I do have money allocated for a new boiler at the ready but only when it fails :huh:

 

[Hutch]

I recieved exactly the same,cantract with BG, every service, everything is worn out, needs replacing , no parts, etc. Independent local lad told me yes its 30 years old but only needs a new pilot light sensor every 2nd year. Money in bank gaining interest, waiting for the old boiler to fail.

 

[Dustydog]

We still have their contract. Two houses back they installed a new boiler .
Last House The system was always breaking down.we had the house from new.Radiators, pcbs, three valves and two pumps plus the annual service.
This house from new 12 years on I can't complain.New hot water tank radiators pump and some valves.They en en came out on Christmas eve a few years ago.
Not cheap I agree but for us it's just convenient.

 

[emmerson]

We still have their contract. Two houses back they installed a new boiler .
Last House The system was always breaking down.we had the house from new.Radiators, pcbs, three valves and two pumps plus the annual service.
This house from new 12 years on I can't complain.New hot water tank radiators pump and some valves.They en en came out on Christmas eve a few years ago.
Not cheap I agree but for us it's just convenient.

I agree DD the service is excellent,but I object to the attempted con.
Having said that, their engineer has been here today to install our smart meter, and he is the only one to agree with me that if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Btw, this smart meter gadget is fascinating! We've used £0.38p worth of gas and electrickery since 11.00am..

 

[Trevormc]

We had a contract with BG many years ago and they condemmed our boiler and wanted to charge the earth to replace it. Found a heating company to fit new boiler and gas fire for ½ the price BG wanted. Only problem was that they did not do servicing, but found another good company to do that. After a few years they went bust. The lads who worked for this company started up on their own and I now use them.

Trevor

 

[chrisn7]

I became concerned that the servicing contractor for my service provider was short cutting the servicing. It seemed to me that they were testing certain things and if they appeared ok, that was sufficient. A bit like a mechanic checking that there is oil in your car, but not changing it. The manual decribed far more work than they seemed to undertake.
I'm afraid you can't trust these people - its always you can't get this, buy a new machine when 98% of it is fine - its very wasteful.
Still, after 20 years it was leading to replacement of the boiler bit by bit, so I called a halt to the inconvenience in the end and we now have a hightech model with a 7 year warranty, and the local engineer who installed it now does the serving as well and is far more thorough.

 

[Hutch]

We had a contract with BG, with the 5 star , 24 hr call out. When one winter I was working away, the boiler shut down, good lady called Bg , they replied , due to high call out , they would not be able to come out for two days. Local lad sorted it out in two hours , contract cannceled with BG.

 

[ProfJohnL]

................................ Apparently there are two main failings with my type of boiler and both are available off the shelf just three miles down the road, and yes,if you can service your own car, you can replace these parts yourself.
Guess whose contract won't be renewed next year?

Hello Hutch.

I don't know you qualifications but just in case you are not aware:-

You posting concerns me. All domestic gas appliance running of mains gas are subject to the Gas Safety [Installation and Use] regulations and amendments. It is unequivocal about all work on gas consuming or carrying appliances must be carried out by a competent gas fitter registered with Gas Safe. Unless you have the Gas Safe 'ticket' for the type of appliance or installation it is illegal to work on it, even if you have what might be considered equivalent authorisations in other or related fields. It is a fundamental breach of Health and Safety regulations, and is subject to criminal prosecution.

 

[Hutch]

Morning Prof, glasses wipes from Lidels reqd, not my posting, ☺

 

[Hutch]

Maybe a word in Sir Baldrick's (WC) ear, I am not the naughty boy for the last 31 years, , check previos postings.

 

[Hutch]

Oh, my Qualifications, Licenced Aircraft Engineer, AMELNo 414541L, (17116) old system Uk, Swiss, Indian, And Nigerian, 7 Rotorcraft, 5 engines, and Basic Aircraft.
But the wife will not let me do plumbing in the house.
I codnt spell enginer, now i is one,.
AND I love to sit in a drip try and play with my nuts.

 

[Dustydog]

Oh, my Qualifications, Licenced Aircraft Engineer, AMELNo 414541L, (17116) old system Uk, Swiss, Indian, And Nigerian, 7 Rotorcraft, 5 engines, and Basic Aircraft.
But the wife will not let me do plumbing in the house.
I codnt spell enginer, now i is one,.
AND I love to sit in a drip try and play with my nuts.

I think the Prof may have been to a Pre Christmas Party :kiss: :evil:

 

[Hutch]

Nothing wrong with a Sherry or two.