British Gas Homecare - Free Boiler Replacement - Choices

[Leonardo]

Hi all,

My boiler (Ideal H30 - 6 years

old), has been ruled beyond economical repair.

They tried to sell me a new install, cost = £2900. I have their formal quote in writing. They recommended a Wocester Bosch (model 30si) for this house in quote.

After this - I did research.

We infact, do qualify for a free boiler replacement.

We meet all the conditions. Spoke to them - they confirmed, you are entitled to free boiler replacement.

My question:

For the free replacement, they want to use a different boiler than the one recommended in the quote. As my current boiler (ideal HE30) is no longer manufactured, they want to replace it with the closest model (Ideal Logic 30HE).

Ideals boilers , get very poor ratings when I've looked (e.g Which? Gas boilers owners' views score = 59%). It has a low reliability rating (below 60%).

I would like to get a different boiler fitted. I would like to know what my options are, and what my rights are.

1.How could I viably challenge their choice of the replacement ( now an Ideal H30 instead of the Worcester that they initially recommended). (Preferred).

2.If not, how can I get them to make xxxx funds avaliable, I chip in more - to get the one I want- i.e. their costs remain the same ,but, I make up the difference.(Acceptable).

3.If not what approach can I take take, to get them to send me cheque instead for the value of the boiler - I will chip in more and buy a new one myself.(Worst case).

I'm not bashing BG. Nothing like it. Just want to create a win win solution.

Thanks all.

 

[Mike Jackson]

I would have an Ideal Logic over a Worcester any day. Much nicer boiler. Ideal got themselves a very bad reputation with the Isar and icos and are fighting to get their good name back. The logic is a completely different beast.

 

[Rickster123]

I'd say any free boiler is a win to be honest. That said I've fitted many ideal logics no no problems. Infact I've had more problems with Worcesters than I have with ideal.

 

[Barry98]

Same fitted plenty of logics in last six month I'd have one

 

[Orry Clayton]

is it the Ideal Logic or the Logic Plus??

 

[Ray Stafford]

Have to agree that the Logic (and its derivatives) are way better than Ideal's recent past models.

As far as I can tell Ideal will be the only boiler manufacturer to have gained significant market share in 2012 - mostly down to the Logic platform, although helped by a few own goals from the opposition.

 

[Barry98]

Yeah expensive paper weights them neta-tecs

 

[Leonardo]

They sent me a text message with the model number:

"Ideal Logic 30HE"

That's all the detail BG provided in the text!

 

[TinTin]

My personal opinion after fitting many Worcester, Vaillant, alpha and ideal boilers would be that other than the price there really doesn't seem to be a lot of difference. Guess time will tell!

 

[julesverne]

i 'd go for a logic any day over a Worcester there all plastic tat and overpriced plastic at that

 

[Orry Clayton]

My personal opinion after fitting many Worcester, Vaillant, alpha and ideal boilers would be that other than the price there really doesn't seem to be a lot of difference. Guess time will tell!

Never is much to fitting them, it's when you come to repair them.

 

[Orry Clayton]

i 'd go for a logic any day over a Worcester there all plastic tat and overpriced plastic at that

That includes plastic heat exchanger.

 

[AWheating]

if its your personal preference to have a worcester then ask them to charge you the price difference. but check the difference before you agree.

 

[TinTin]

do you not find changing parts on a Worcester is a right head ache? its not like they are the smallest boiler but theres just no room in them.

 

[anz]

do you not find changing parts on a Worcester is a right head ache? its not like they are the smallest boiler but theres just no room in them.

That's due to the poor design.

 

[TinTin]

i find it funny though. a lot of installers recommend Worcester all the time as i used to but to be honest compared to other companies they dont seem to feel the need to look after the installer.
We are their biggest sales reps and sometimes a little recognition wouldn't go a miss.
Alpha for examplehave contacted me asking if i would like training free of charge along with other useful bits and pieces. it all helps in a tough market!

 

[JJ The Plumber]

I've fitted quite a few Logic Plus over the last couple of years and they have been good.
Logic that you are looking at having fitted I think has a 2 year warranty whereas the Logic Plus has 5 year but other than that they are essentially the same boiler.
Go for it over a Worcester everytime.

 

[mcniven]

Logic is the way to go!

Why get it for free? Well do it for only £1999

www.McNivens.com

 

[dancinplumba]

plus has 7 yr til end of this yr

 

[TBServices]

I think the general feeling on the forum, is go for the logic! I have to say, I agree.

 

[Roger Welton]

Agree with every one else very kind of bg to upgrade you from a worcester to a ideal logic!

 

[gasmanrob]

fitted somewhere close to 60 worcesters over the last 3 years but in the last 5 months i have converted to the logic plus. i got fed up with with paying top money for supposedly the best boiler out there and having to build the poxy thing out of the box. and to be honest i think the logic is a brilliant bit of kit from an installers and customer prospective. bg wont fit you the logic plus as it comes with a 7 year warrenty instead of the 2 year on the logic as they would rather you carried on with your homecare aggreement. but that said if you do carry on with your aggreement and the boiler packs up within the next ten years youll get a nice new boiler for free again. on that basis i wouldnt worry to much as to which model they fit. the only issue is if it goes wrong youd have to take time off from work but now im straying from the point.
in all i wouldnt be put off by bad ideal reviews as they are largely linked to the icos/isar/minimizer range. they have really gone to town on this boiler and spent alot of money developing it and to my knowledge they are the only maker to be offering a 7 year warrenty without being on there approved installer list. and you wouldnt do that if you werent 100% confident in your product as they have sold these in thier thousands!

 

[geminigas]

Have to agree with the other posts. Ideal has a bad reputation (which was deserved), due to their icos/isar boilers. Ideal got their act together and the logic cannot be compared to their previous models. IME anyone who is knocking ideal is due to there previous boilers, and anyone who has fitted one of the logics does not share their opinion.

I am replacing my own boiler with a logic. You would need to worry if they were trying to offer you a ferolli!!

 

[Leonardo]

You've all convinced me to accept the Logic. I'm in. Thanks!

But I'm not passed the finish line just yet.

Please help me prepare. There're fitting it on Friday, what do I need to get checked, what should I do to ensure, to get the best for my family.

A.Which filtration system would you recommend? (magnaclean, magnaclean twintech, fernox etc.)
B. Who should be providing it
C. The inhibitor? should this be part of the install process, who should provide it ?

I don't know what I will do without these forums.

Guys keep the advice coming please.

many many thanks,

SirLancealot

 

[petercj]

Last I heard BG were fitting Spirotech Magnabooster filters, which are good, but suspect they will sting you on the fitting.

Check out the warranty on boiler, suspect BG will only give 12 months, but if you are going to carry on with Home Care it shouldn't be a problem. Inhibitor is down to to them.

Good for you for making sure BG stick to the contract.