Be prepared for a boiler breakdown
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by: Kate Tee
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Word Count: 785
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 Time: 8:58 PM
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With winter setting in and snow starting to fall, households will be wrapping up warm and cranking up the heating.
Most of us give little thought to our boilers when they are working as they should be, but it's a very different story if you've ever had the misfortune of having your heating suddenly pack up because of a breakdown.
Boilers are generally more robust than most items in the home, but when they go wrong, they can be ruinously expensive to repair.
Boiler scrappage scheme
Nonetheless, there's some good news for households looking to invest in a new more reliable model, as the chancellor announced plans for a boiler scrappage scheme in the pre-Budget Report - promising to offer 125,000 households £400 worth of grants to upgrade their old "G-rated" boilers to greener models. (See: The pre-Budget report run-down).
It is hoped this will be as successful as the car scrappage scheme, and while the Government's boiler programme is not due to come into effect until April, energy provider Npower has already launched its own boiler scrappage scheme -offering £400 off a new boiler when households replace one that's more than 10 years old.
Beware the hidden cost
On the plus side, a modern energy efficient boiler will mean not only energy savings of nearly £235 off your annual gas bill, (*) but will also mean your home is safer, as very old boilers, unless properly maintained, can pose a health and safety risk.
However, it's important not to under-estimate the cost of purchasing and installing a new condensing boiler - not to mention potential repairs - as these can be more expensive to fit and maintain than older, less fuel-efficient models.
Plan ahead for a boiler breakdown
Regardless of whether you have a shiny new boiler, or still have your old model, there is always the risk of it breaking down, so it's worth planning ahead; the good news is, there are several options available to you.
First off, you can simply opt to call out a heating engineer to carry out boiler repairs as and when you need them - although you could end up paying through the nose for this.
The second option is an insurance policy which can help cover the cost of call out and repairs - but go down this route and it's crucial to do your research, as cover can vary considerably.
While the most obvious option is to plump for the heating cover offered by your energy provider, be warned that these policies can be overpriced - plus you could end up duplicating on cover you already have.
Check your existing home insurance policy, and if you're not already covered, check with your insurer, as most will allow customers to add home emergency cover to their standard policy for just a few extra pounds each month.
Is a specialist boiler policy best?
If you're looking for more comprehensive cover for your boiler, consider a specialist boiler policy.
Many of the big energy providers offer specialist boiler policies; British Gas, for example, offers all-inclusive boiler cover through its HomeCare Flexi 100 policy costing from £10.50 a month, including an annual service.
But once again, don't buy from your energy provider without researching the alternatives; prices with Homeserve, a standalone boiler insurance provider, start from £10.48 for its Easypay boiler breakdown cover with annual service.
Also bear in mind that lower-cost policies often have higher excess for repairs - or restrictions on the number of repairs you can claim for in a year -so check the small print before settling on the cheapest quote.
Boiler cover checklist
If you're planning to take out a boiler policy, the key is to do your research.
Consider whether you want boiler-only cover or cover for your central heating system and plumbing, and decide if such things such as unlimited call-outs and no excess on repairs are important to you.
Also note that some brands of boiler may not be covered, and that most exclude models that are more than 15 years old.
And finally, before signing up to any policy, make sure you check your paperwork, as if you have a relatively new boiler, it will have come with a warranty that typically lasts for one or two years for parts and labour.
Be sure to compare energy prices before deciding on a gas provider.
Notes:
(*) Energy Saving Trust
About the Author
To read more on boiler maintenance please visit http://www.confused.com/gas-electricity
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