Boiler money advice

[Embarrassednamechang]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping someone will have a great idea that I have missed.

Our boiler is 80% dead. We have had two people out to look at it (British Gas and a local man) and they can’t fix it- we need a new one.

It is 25+ years old

Sometimes the heating will kick in, but most of the time not (today it’s come on for about two hours) it’s something to do with gas flow but anyway it needs replacing.

British Gas have quoted us £3500 for new boiler . However we failed the affordability check and so can’t pay monthly.

Boxt quoted £2600 (and included one new radiator) but again failed the affordability checks.

local man still hasn’t got back to us with a quote.

We can’t get a grant as we don’t get any benefits, and from what I understand they are very much for heat pumps now - which wouldn’t be suitable for our terrace house.

I have however put an application in for a grant at someone’s advice, but we don’t meet the criteria I’m sure

I currently have £1000 in the savings for house hold things .

There is £500 in my help to save account ( got before we earnt to much for benefits) I’m really really reluctant to use this as will lose the bonus I could save !

I have £400 in my current account- I could use a bit of this but mostly needed for food for the month (2adults and 2 teens)

And two credit cards with £100 each available

Has anyone got any advice? Or places I could try ? Or is it a case of tough luck- you are cold this winter! And replace with cash after we have the full amount (end of feb/march)

We do have a gas fire place that is a bit rubbish but warms the room. And two fan heaters for upstairs. Out shower is electric and so not affected, but washing up is a nightmare.

It is worth pointing out that sometimes the boiler works better than other times , and often after a week of not running well - it will kick in more frequently the week after, so it’s not constantly cold .

Would you perhaps be eligible for another credit card with 0%?
Sorry this is happening, it's a big chunk of money isn't it...

Citizens Advice have a whole section on this.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/save-energy-at-home/get-help-with-the-cost-of-energy-efficiency/

Or have you looked at boiler rental? I didn't know it was a thing until DSS needed to replace his recently.

It’s unlikely, but I do sometimes get an email from my credit card company saying that I could have a loan through them - massive apr though.

my husband has suggested that we borrow 2k off his mum and pay her back £1000 on each payday …. Would make things tight but doable. It just feels like we will have properly failed if we ask for money from mum at the old age of 35 ! (She might not even say yes )

I think unless you can get a loan from family or friends you're pretty screwed. Boilers are so expensive we needed one last year and it was such a struggle

Ask if it can be paid back over 3 paydays so its not as tight

If it was any of my children, I'd really want them to ask! And as pp said, spread it over 3 paydays instead of 2.

OP I had a combi fitted about 5 years ago - cost around £700 with a 7 yr guarantee and fitted by a local plumber. can't remember the exact fitting costs but compared to British Gas, etc, it worked out a lot cheaper.

I've just done a quick ChatGPT query and it's brought these up...

Cheapest combi boilers (unit prices)

• about:blank Vokera Easi‑Heat I 25C Combi Boiler – ~£580 (very budget-friendly)
• about:blank Glow‑Worm Compact 24kW Combi Boiler – ~£570 (basic and low price)
• about:blank Glow‑worm Micracom 24kW Combi Boiler – ~£660
• about:blank Glow‑Worm Compact LPG Combi Boiler – ~£650 (LPG version)
• about:blank Worcester Greenstar 1000 Combi Boiler – ~£670 (reliable budget model)
• about:blank Ideal Atlantic C30 Combi Boiler – ~£745
• about:blank Main Eco Compact 30kW Combi Boiler – ~£760
• about:blank Ideal ESPRIT Eco 2 Combi Boiler – ~£860

🔎 Notes

• Typical new combi boiler supply prices start around ~£600–£1,100, depending on model and size.
• Installation, gas-safe certification and any extras will add significant cost (often £1,000+).

(Not pasted too clearly but i'm sure you get the gist, then you'd need a plumber to install). If you could borrow a little from family I'm sure it's one purchase nobody would begrudge you lending. In the meantime get yourself or your kids an electric throw - they are an absolute godsend and only cost a few pence an hour to run. Fan headers are very expensive to use to heat rooms with.

I have 3 in my house - 2 thin ones and this beast which was so popular we now have about 7 in our immediate/extended family as everyone who sat with it loved it! Heats up really quickly with one press of a button.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwjchZ-to_CRAxU9olAGHXsHM0gYACICCAEQARoCZGc&co=1&sig=AOD64_0hcRHFZH-jZoQ37zzcfdlvY8iEPA&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiw7Jmto_CRAxWSUUEAHT-1F9IQwg8oAHoECAsQDQ&adurl=

Boots usually have the cheapest deals and its safety tested albeit I still switch mine off when im warm enough. Good luck 🤞

My DS has just had a WB fitted fast as his died. £2750 for a 3 bed. 10 year warranty.

I would borrow from your in law and repay over a few months. Id want my kids to ask me.

Definitely borrow the money we had a new one fitted last April. We used a local fitter boiler has a ten year warranty on it. Cost us £2700

Have you tried going to your own bank for a loan? They tend to have a lower APR than credit cards or the companies themselvex and can be spread out over a year or two.

Otherwise have a look at IDEAL. I went with them last year and I can't fault them. Mine has a 15yr warranty.

https://idealheating.com/products/boilers