Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[clan chieftain]

I have had numerous phone calls and people at the door explaining what government grants are available for upgrading central heating. As we do not have any pension credits (whatever they are) we are not entitled to any grants. So you work hard all your days and at the end of it you are entitled to nothing......seems fair.
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The Clan Chieftain

[Bitumen Boy]

I wouldn't worry about it, most of these things where people knock or phone at random seem to be scams anyway. We had one trying to flog us solar panels; you take out a big loan to cover it at supposedly low or zero interest, guaranteed by the government not to go up. I don't know about you, but I don't think a guarantee offered by a British government - whatever the brand - is worth anything, in my experience they'll move the goalposts any time it suits them

[47Jag]

Larry,

As you are over 60 you should qualify for the £200 heating allowance per household. That gets paid via your pension. The Scottish govenment has a separate scheme providing wall and loft insulation to everyone at low cost or free if you are on a pension. The reason we get pestered is the government allow up to £2000 per house so it's a 'get rich quick' scheme for the contractors. I can tell you from personal experience that they like to 'cherry pick' the jobs that they do take on. If you have a high, open loft where they can be in and out in less than an hour then you are a prime candidate. Anything awkward and a 'reason' will be found not to do it. I had 5 different companies come and 'survey' my house before I eventually got it done and even then I ended up doing it myself with them supplying the stuff, but that's another tale.

As to central heating grants, you can claim (I think) up to £600 but only via government approved suppliers. So I get British gas to come and give me a quote. At £2500 I told the guy thanks, but no thanks. I went and bought a A rated condenser boiler for £600 and my brother-in-law and I fitted it ourselves (he's a plumber).

Art

[clan chieftain]

Hi Art.
We get the heating allowance every year and have had cavity wall insulating done and loft insulating done FOC . Our central heating is working ok .Its just that we dont qualify to get it upgraded. We still have the back boiler which works fine.
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The Clan Chieftain

[47Jag]

Larry,

As I said, there's a catch. You have to use approved contractors and there is a limit. I gave you bum information saying the insulation grant is up to £2000. I had a read at this:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2000/09/7f6012fe-c4f8-4275-9068-675f04cf2419
and it says the insulation is £500 and the central heating is £2000.

Art

[clan chieftain]

Scottish Gas wanted nearly £4000 to fit a Combi boiler but the usual friend of a friend would supply and fit one for £1400, so its handy to know if my heating packs in. Thanks for all your information.
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The Clan Chieftain

[Riley Blue]

I think this is pushing the boundaries of 'General Motoring and Other collectables' a bit too far

[clan chieftain]

Surely the sub heading "Topics and other collectables not necessarily related to motoring" applies. ?
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The Clan Chieftain

[Roger-hatchy]

That's in small print though

[Riley Blue]

[Bitumen Boy]

Well, considering how many pensioners we've got on this forum...

[colwyn500]