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Gas Boiler Repairs

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llizzie2 Thu 30-May-24 14:48:00

I had a new boiler installed 10/2021 under the ECO3 Government scheme. I did not have to pay for it.

Theboiler failed 11/23. Worcester Bosch repaired it. 16/12/23 it failed again. The engineer said it was not their boiler but the installation at fault, and told me they would not come down under the guarantee until I got the original installers to re-install it. He replaced the flue fan. The fault was 29.10, a blocked flue.

It failed again after Christmas. I have had no hot water or central heating since Christmas. I am disabled. The installers responded at first, until I sent them the Worcester Bosch report. By February 2024 I was desperate, and got in an independent heating engineer, who checked and said the installation was faulty, but that the flue pipe had vegetation in it from the neighbours trees (planted after the boiler was installed in the disabled living extension.

I wrote to the Gas Safe Register for help. They sent an inspector down who made a report and got the original installers down. They came last month and carried out the work detailed to them. I don't know anything about gas boilers. I have to assume they did a good job, because if they did not, they would have to answer to GSR of which they are members. When they finished, the boiler STILL DIDN'T WORK.

I contacted Worcester Bosch and tried to make an appointment. THEY REFUSED TO COME. They told me I would have to PAY A DEPOSIT OF £200, in case the work was not done to their satisfaction. I refused. I said I should not have to pay a deposit as it could turn out to be more. I said I should not have to stand guarantor for the re-installation. If their work turned out to be not up to Worcester Bosch standards, then they complain to the GSR.

I had no contract with them: it was with the Government. The boiler is guaranteed until 2026. Am I being unreasonable to refuse to stand surety for someone else's work?

AIBU to expect Worcester Bosch to come and repair the boiler under the guarantee? AIBU to say that I cannot stand surety for someone else's work?

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Blossoming Thu 30-May-24 23:34:56

No, you’re not being unreasonable. It’s a minefield being stuck in the middle like that.

You could ask CAB for advice.

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Astitchintime Fri 31-May-24 00:49:53

Can't you report all this back to the department dealing with the ECO3 Government scheme?
Alternatively, CAB, trading standards, your MP, the press........kick up a rumpus and make yourself heard.

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llizzie2 Sun 02-Jun-24 02:22:29

Thank you for commenting. I have been in contact with the CAB, for the past few weeks. I did receive an email saying they think they might persuade WB to waive the deposit, but that isn't confirmed.

WB quote their 'terms and conditions' at me, but I never signed anything with them, so never signed up to their terms and conditions. They have not responded as yet.

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llizzie2 Sun 02-Jun-24 02:23:44

You cannot contact Trading Standards directly. You have to go through Citizens Advice, and I rather hoped they would do that.

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welbeck Sun 02-Jun-24 05:11:35

but it sounds as if it is the installers who are inadequate in the performance of their work, rather than the WB.
so i can see WB's point.
do you have any support or self help groups for disabled people locally.
what about Age UK, assuming who are aged over 50.
also the original scheme/govt dept who paid for the installation.
contact gas safe register again.
LBC radio have a consumer advice hour at 9pm on fridays. you'd need to ring in much earlier though to stand a chance of getting through. advisor dean dunham is v good.
i'm sorry you are having this difficulty.
no such thing as a free lunch, eh ?
what about putting your query on a google search, adding that it's uk.
that might throw up some knowledgeable person with ideas.
i remember there used to be someone called piglet john on Mumsnet who knew all about plumbing and was v helpful.
not sure if they covered gas boilers too, but that's the kind of thing i mean.
one wouldn't first think of MN for plumbing expertise.
people found themselves there by having googled the problem, and it was something piglet john had once addressed in a thread.
anyway, i wish you all the best.
keep us informed.

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pably15 Sun 02-Jun-24 13:02:14

contact the government scheme, and your MP., there's a program on BBC Gloria Hunniford and co. contact them, they usually get things sorted....it's terrible what you're going through the boiler's not fit for purpose...good luck
The program is RIP OFF BRITAIN...

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welbeck Sun 02-Jun-24 13:05:52

also you could try bbc radio 4 You & Yours.

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