Hi

British Gas have just done an 'inspection' on my boiler prior to my Homecare policy starting with them. Apparently its failed its "emissions test", so they recommended a new burner to be fitted, but low and behold that part is now obsolete so they tell me I need a new boiler !!!!

Now the boiler (Ideal Elan2) is about 15 years old and we've not had any issues for a couple of years, it may not be the most efficient but the cynic in me thinks this is a bit of a ruse to make me fork out £££££ for a new boiler with them ?

So what does an "emissions test" cover - just carbon monoxide ?

I'm especially suspicious as we've got a new CO detector and that has registered nothing in the house or the garage where the boiler is. Even a CO detector patch hasn't detected anything.

Advice much appreciated from the gas+heating folks ! :)

In some ways BG are right. They now undertake a stringent flue gas analysis of all boilers both on their homecare service and those like yours wishing to take it up. Relates to a death caused by a faulty powermax boiler and 2 BG engineers are awaiting sentence for it.

Your boiler has failed the test and its due to a cracked burner which old Elans are prone to. Higher than expected levels of carbon monoxide is being produced. Getting the level back down to standard requires the fitting of a new burner. I've had a look around and i cant see one for sale. This boiler is now obsolete. (the other engineers may post details of one). But then its the cost of the burner plus the fitting may be a similar price to a new boiler. So, BG may be correct in advising you updrade to a new and much more efficient condensing combi (which would probably be
a Worcester-Bosch CDi)

The carbon monoxide is at the moment being contained within your heatexchanger and going out of the flue. Thats why your detectors are silent. However, over time the burner (if it is cracked and warped) will continue to degrade. In the boiler this will cause 'vitiation' and the gas valve will shut down. CO could spill into the room if the boiler seals are worn out (and 15yr old boiler seals are usually perished.

Homecare is in fact good value for money. BG have also started offering a fixed price repair for £99 for its customers who are buying gas from them.

Completly agrree with andy on the matter in question but instead of getting BG to fit a new boiler why not try one off us of the forum I'd imagine were alot cheaper then put The boiler on homecare or better still just extend the manufactures warranty. I 'm quite suprised BG would consider taking on a fifteen year old boiler.

Also Sveral makes of new boiler (e.g. baxi and alpha) now come with 5 year manufactures warranty so you' be saving yourself Roughly £500 by not having home care for 5 years.

BG extending their homecare service. They are getting alot of new competition from npower and e.on.

Still remain the benchmark in quoting for installs. Fitted 30,000 new boilers in 2007.

Independents like us are 1/3rd cheaper even when fitting a like for like system.

Be carefull with figures Andy BG have Lowered their prices A lot lately went toA quote the other day and was shocked !!! But still beat it

E:on are very picky won't take on certain boilers I.e glowworm swiftflow and chafftaux coulinder oops I mean briitony

E:on are very picky won't take on certain boilers I.e glowworm swiftflow and chafftaux coulinder oops I mean briitony

Gotta Chaffaturd in our house from when we moved in. Waited and had the kitchen extended before getting rid. Lost count of the number of times i've fixed the damn thing. Every single bit of plastic has sprung a leak. Now has 15 blobs of epoxy holding it together. Heating flow switch no longer exists and diverter seized in hot water only. Vaillant going in in a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I guess I'll start the process of getting quotes now, boiler replacement was on the list of things to do next year as I'm probably going to get the loft converted so losing the tanks and hot water cylinder was needed anyway and I doubt the current boiler would drive a few more rads in the loft.