Winter is coming – make sure your heating is up to the job
I HAVE a friend who does his best to hold out turning on the heating until he absolutely has to. Last year it was mid-november. This year his family has revolted, refused to reach for the jumper drawer and are currently luxuriating in a warm house!
Let’s face it, when the heating goes back on we are admitting the last, lingering days of sunshine are over and Winter is on the horizon. But it’s also a time where we discover that after a period of inactivity, our boilers and pipes are potentially playing up.
Boiler bills can be expensive – and with extra Covid complications surrounding maintenance people and call-outs for emergencies, sorting a heating problem can be frustrating.
Each year I deal with hundreds of complaints about this, so here are a few tips to help avoid the main issues. ■ FIRST, check the thermostat! It sounds ridiculous but loads of boiler problems start when the thermostat battery runs out. The display might look like it’s not communicating with the boiler but a battery change could solve the problem and save you an expensive callout. ■ DO a few basic checks, like turning the dials and thermostat down, press ‘boost’ and seeing if it kicks in to life. Repressurising the boiler can be a bit nerve-wracking if you’re not technically minded, but can save you callout fees. ■ CAN’T find the boiler guide? You’re not alone. You can find most guides online – and there are loads of Youtube guides to basic problems too. Don’t get too ambitious though.
IF you need to make a claim on a boiler cover policy, check to see what you’re covered for. Most have 24 hour callout terms and a long list of things covering your rights and timescales on repairs and replacements.
■ IF you’ve got blocked or leaking pipes, check to see whether the pipes are on your property (claim through your insurer) or outside (it usually the water company needs to sort this out). Confirming access points can save a lot of hassle should you ever need to make a claim.
If you don’t have boiler cover, Is it worth taking out insurance? With average boiler callouts costing around £500, it certainly can be. These policies vary hugely, so it’s important to find out exactly what’s covered before you sign up. Some policies only cover the boiler, others the central heating and items that run off it too. Stand-alone boiler cover is one thing, but you can also get home emergency cover.
This is designed to handle a range of problems, but most commonly burst or blocked pipes and boiler breakdowns – though some cover everything from vermin infestations to home security.
Before you take out boiler or home emergency cover, check what your existing home insurance covers. You might find you don’t need it. If you opt for home emergency cover, speak to the insurer about your home before signing up.
Not all boiler contracts are insurance products – which matters because if there’s a dispute, you can’t go to the Financial Ombudsman if it’s a service contract or other agreement. However, the ombudsman and I both apply the ‘duck test’ to these contracts. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck! So the same goes for a contract that looks like an insurance policy.
Put a complaint in regardless, if something goes wrong. The ombudsman might be able to help.
Resolver can help you sort out complaints about pretty much anything for free. Check out resolver.co.uk