OT - Gas boiler servicing

[summerdays]

Currently we have a contract to service our old boiler with British Gas. I know our boiler is not up to modern standards but actually it has had very little problems over the years and the sums of how much we would save (fairly low users of gas I think - Annual bill last year was £340) vs the price of a new boiler don't seem to add up. Added to which I'm not convinced about how long the modern boilers last before they break down.

So they are now saying that we need to replace our boiler (as yet they haven't quoted us the price for this), or have a system flush (apparently £600!!!), or else they will not replace anything the next time there is a problem (they had to replace a valve near the switch between Hot Water/Heating this time), normally they don't seem to do very much at all.

Am I wrong in thinking that modern boilers are more problematic, and that the electronics will need replacing after 5 years or so (at great expense), and is the suggested quote of £600 for the flush and a change of some pipework that needs balancing (they originally fitted the system in the first place so why didn't they balance it then!). The boiler is 20 years old.

 

[annedonnelly]

Is it worth getting a local heating engineer to take a look and give an alternative quote?

My gas boiler was 30+ years old when I had it replaced (I've got renewables now so no gas) and it was serviced every year by a local chap for £40. I never had any problems with it. Like you I was very reluctant to replace it as I'd heard so many stories of new boilers which needed electronic parts replacing within a couple of years of fitting.

Someone else will have a better idea but I think the flushing and balancing refers to the radiators rather than the boiler itself.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

BG are the most expensive company in the world when it comes to installation and servicing, and they might even sub the work out. Get a local bunch in and save some cash.

 

[Over The Hill]

That sound a bit of a rip off. I would expect an annual service to be £100. But I guess on top of that you have in theory got them on call if it goes one night.
As a pitch on price, had a new combi boiler fitted with all old tanks taken out with bill at about £2,000. I think the expectation is that you will use about 20% less gas with the new one so it should pay for itself but really not much more than that but I guess it depend on your bill.
Yes they are much more complicated now but things tend to get better.

 

[fossyant]

Use a local company for the service. Don't bother with a flush unless you have problems, and if its an open system with a header tank, you can add inhibitor yourself easily.

 

[subaqua]

they see a cash cow. and are trying to milk it. speak to a local company .

 

[Maz]

British Gas = Rip off
Get a quote from a local plumber, preferably via recommendation.

My boiler has generally been OK. It's a Baxi combi-boiler and has leaked a couple of times, requiring some valve replacement - which cost me about £90 all in (i.e. parts + labour) to fix it.

I did have a 1-year warranty when it was new, but the service plan thereafter was a rip-off at £200+/year.

 

[pauldavid]

Had my boiler serviced last month and it cost £50 for a local guy to do it. While he was here I got him to have a look at the pump which has been getting progressively a little more noisy all winter and I was fearing the worst.

He recommended we eplace the pump and the seized valves either side of it before the pump failed.

We agreed and he came back and flushed and drained the entire system, replaced the valves and pump, refilled the system including fresh inhibitor and balanced all radiators for the princely sum of £270

Our heating is now working better than it has for years and I think his pricing was more than fair.

£600 for a system flush would suggest you are getting ripped off.

We got the name of the man who did ours from a friend, ask around and I bet someone you know can recommend a good guy too

 

[summerdays]

Thanks for the information. I will ask around and see if I can get some recommendations. I guess we have stuck with British Gas for the servicing as at least it it ensures it does get serviced annually. I gather there was some sludge in the system which is what the engineer was saying had caused the problem with the valve.

 

[dan_bo]

My 5-y-o ferroli POS farted its last about a month ago- my nerves would take no more of it's 'willitwon'tit' operational policy so I sunk a chunk of cash on a worcester with a full 7 year parts and labour warranty. I hope it's worth it.

 

[Brains]

£600 for a flush is excessive, I'm sure the last time we had it done it was more like £100

Yes you are correct about new boilers, they have life expendecy of about 15 years, less in a hard water area, more in soft water.
However the old style boilers were banned years ago as they pollute far more than the new ones and are also less efficient

 

[fossyant]

My 5-y-o ferroli POS farted its last about a month ago- my nerves would take no more of it's 'willitwon'tit' operational policy so I sunk a chunk of cash on a worcester with a full 7 year parts and labour warranty. I hope it's worth it.

Feck! Got an old iccle Baxi Solo 30 from 18 years ago. Still goes.

 

[dan_bo]

Feck! Got an old iccle Baxi Solo 30 from 18 years ago. Still goes.

Yep. I replaced a Baxi with the Ferroli.

 

[dan_bo]

I had a Worcester Bosch oil boiler in my last house, and the annual service by the manufacturer cost £175 - it was trouble free. In my new house I have a Ferroli gas boiler and I think it might be ancient but I have no way of really knowing.

Mine was a HE31C.

 

[dan_bo]

If it's working, just get an emmisions and drop test.