Gas man and non-league football freak. Unfortunately I can't write great opinions, which is a shame,...
Gas man and non-league football freak. Unfortunately I can't write great opinions, which is a shame, as I give my cash to Hayes FC, mad fool that I am.
Member since:12.08.2000
Reviews:29
Members who trust:4
I’ve been a heating engineer for 23 years now. Know all the tricks of the trade, all the scams, where people are ripped off etc. This little bit of information will, hopefully, help you get a decent system at a decent price.
First of all, avoid British Gas. I was employed by them for 21 years, and made a good living out of them. They could afford it! British Gas systems and boiler exchanges are hideously expensive. Yet they are usually no better that the local firm down the road. In many cases, they ARE the local firm down the road, having been contracted out. Interesting when the locals, in one example, offered exactly the same system for 40% less, if bought direct!
Once upon a time British Gas could justify its prices because it had massive overheads, as a state owned lumbering giant, with all the land and buildings it had to maintain. But these have all disappeared, so all the profit now goes to the shareholders and the chairman and directors pockets. Not my money. I even buy my gas from another company. Which is another story. The Internet is a wonderful thing?..
There are many well-established firms that will install and maintain perfectly adequate systems at reasonable prices. Try to avoid the special offers, usually 5 rad system for £699!?. This means you get cheap nasty rubbish. A decent system is not cheap, but expect to pay at least £2000 for a good small system
The most cost effective way to install heating, if you can’t DIY, is to get a qualified engineer to do a? J? That is, privately. (I don’t do it myself; I’ve made my money out of a nice little share save scheme). Ladies on the street often grab me, with requests for my services! Unfortunately they only want me to put heating in for them ;-). There’s usually a gas man about!
Often, compared to British Gas, privately installed systems/boiler exchanges can cost as little as 25% of their price, and you still get a guarantee on the boiler from the manufacturer. You don’t get a comprehensive guarantee on the system however, but taking out a service cover arrangement can solve that, if you are a bit nervous!
Insist on a room sealed boiler. These are very safe appliances, and make the open flued boilers and water heaters on the past look like death traps! In fact, too many are. Make sure yours is checked!
Don’t go for too many gizmos, a simple system will cause you less trouble. Try to let the engineer put it where he wants to, it’ll probably work better!
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Just common sense really although the explanation of Brit Gas old price hikes was enlightening
beccie 09.10.2003 11:24
I completely agree with you on British Gas being overpriced, my mum is a gas board pensioner and even she would prefer a different supplier (but she gets discount!). We once bought a cooker off of them (with her discount) and we found the same cooker at about £300 less somewhere else. Interesting op:-) Bxxxxx
windygale 01.04.2003 23:59
I bet British Gas Love You!! That'll be another contract they've just lost from me. They lost my Gas supply, now they'll lose my new system installation. Cheers for the advice. Now, about these women who come up 2 U in the street for servicing...!!
Advantages: Good heating system, Good salesman, Mixer shower now power shower Disadvantages: Lack of communication and also very poor communication, installers didn't care, without heating and hot water and damage to property
Advantages: Knowledgable sales staff, good back up service, reliable, hard working installers, Professional, long guarantees Disadvantages: None I can think of.
Mar 18th, 2002
(Jun 12th, 2003)
very helpful by (79%):
helpful by (17%):
somewhat helpful by (3%):
