HES grant for boiler vs Newry purchase

egorski

HI All,

I have just applied and recieved my online verification for the new HES grant for replacing existing gas boiler with a new super efficient gas boiler. I asked
a plumber to quote on the job (he should be getting SEI registered at the end
of this month). He looked into the way the quote system was set set up and commented that there was a huge outlay required to install the temperature control side of the system required by SEI. My understanding is that each radiator would require a new valve and you would also require an extra hot wafer buffer cylinder - this would add an extra 1500 euros to the job.

We do have an old boiler in the house. I think it might be cheaper for us to simply buy a condensing efficient boiler in Newry (as a replacement) and
rather than installing some complicated room temperature control system required by SEI - I'll simply turn off the radiators in the rooms that are infrequently used. I haven't done the figures yet (heading upto Newry tomorrow for some other stuff) and I also intend on getting Bord Gais out to quote on the SEI grant installed type system.

Any thoughts?

Egorski

smooth operater

** New boiler must have efficiency greater than 90%
*** Minimum requirement for heating controls upgrade is : 2 zones (space and water) with 7 day programmer (time and temperature) control and boiler interlock, time and temperature control of electric immersion heater and either 1 more zone control or 3 TRV’s


The above taken from the SEI website.

You could divide you upsatirs zone to your downstairs zone with a stat on each, that rids of the 3trv's, (so no, you wont need a trv on every radiator)


If your not sure of anything drop us a line

gizmo555

Bit puzzled by the reference to an extra hot water buffer cylinder - could you elaborate.

Leaving aside the boiler, so far as the the heating controls package is concerned, by chance I was talking to a neighbour today and he is having a setup installed which at least meets the SEI's minimum requirements at a cost of €800. After the grant, his nett cost will be €300. I'll try to get more details and come back to you, but €1,500 seems steep. Mind you, I suppose a lot depends on the number of radiators, if you're putting a TRV on each one.

egorski

Thanks for the replys.

A few more details - the house is a bungalow with three bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, a massive hallway, dining and a living room. It was built in 1946. 8 radiators alltogether.

Gizmo - that deal seems to be really good - a new boiler and temp control system for about 800 yoyos. I figured that the quote of 1500 for temp controllers was about correct because SEI seem to typically try and fund about 30 to 40% of an install and the SEI temp control only grant is for 500 euros. My tentative research would suggest a decent boiler with 90% rating costs about 800 to 900 euros. (approx 600 to 700 euros up North)

Can't tell you about the extra hot cylinder - I'll have to ask the plumber again.

On another topic - I think the radiators definitely need replacing. My plumber asked if they had fins - which they don't. He mentioned that the
output would be almost doubled with fins. This would seem to make a big
difference alone.

egorski

Sorry - one more thing -

my understanding is that it is not possible to buy plumbing components up
North for use with the HES/SEI grants down South - I understand
that you have to present an Irish vat receipt for the components used
(boiler, valves, temperature control system etc....) Can somebody
confirm this?

gizmo555

egorski wrote: »

Gizmo - that deal seems to be really good - a new boiler and temp control system for about 800 yoyos. I figured that the quote of 1500 for temp controllers was about correct because SEI seem to typically try and fund about 30 to 40% of an install and the SEI temp control only grant is for 500 euros. My tentative research would suggest a decent boiler with 90% rating costs about 800 to 900 euros. (approx 600 to 700 euros up North)

Sorry if I was unclear, but the figure of €800 was for a heating control package only, not a new boiler as well. This attracts a grant of €500.

As far as I can see, you can only get the extra €200 grant for the boiler if you're also installing the heater controls. I suppose there's nothing to stop you buying the boiler in Newry - if the saving over the price down here is more than €200 you're still ahead of the game.

egorski

Ah yes - this is an interesting take on the installation.

Basically - use the HES grant to upgrade temperature zonal control.
and buy the boiler up North and not bother with the grant.


I'd have to admit, at this point, I'm still leaning towards simply replacing
the boiler with a Newry special and not bothering with the grant/temperature
controls installation and sticking with old fashioned manually turning off radiators in unused rooms. etc....even if you can install zonal control for 800 euros.

Kristopherus

Egorski, I have to say I'm extremely sceptical of the HES scheme. To me its an open invitation for the co-called approved contractors to hike up their prices. You have to have an SEI approved installer do the work, ergo the opportunity to hike up the charge. This at atime when prices should be plummeting because of the fall-off in the construction industry. If I was in your position I would be heading North for only the equipment needed to do a good job that will serve you well and economically for your lifetime. And if you live close to the North, why not get your plumber there as well. He'll surely be a better bet than Paddy Rip-Off.

Smcgie

Kristopherus wrote: »

Egorski, I have to say I'm extremely sceptical of the HES scheme. To me its an open invitation for the co-called approved contractors to hike up their prices. You have to have an SEI approved installer do the work, ergo the opportunity to hike up the charge. This at atime when prices should be plummeting because of the fall-off in the construction industry. If I was in your position I would be heading North for only the equipment needed to do a good job that will serve you well and economically for your lifetime. And if you live close to the North, why not get your plumber there as well. He'll surely be a better bet than Paddy Rip-Off.

Any work carried out in relation to the HES Scheme must be carried out by SEI Reg Contactors only... Getting Joe Soap from the north could be cheaper but you wont get your grant reclaim

The Contractors list is available @ www.sei.ie/hes

Kristopherus

Smcgie wrote: »

Any work carried out in relation to the HES Scheme must be carried out by SEI Reg Contactors only... Getting Joe Soap from the north could be cheaper but you wont get your grant reclaim

The Contractors list is available @ www.sei.ie/hes

Agreed. But I'm pretty certain the OP will get his job done cheaper if he goes North than he would if he stayed South AND availed of the grant.

Smcgie

<SNIP> I would say you are 100%. But if OP wanted to avail of other grant in relation to the scheme eg insulation or BER cert then the grant application would be shrewder

egorski

Thanks for the replys.

I reckon I'm not going with the HES grant.

I have a good, well priced, local plumber and considering the savings to be made up North due to the exchange rate/lower taxes. I think I can get a simpler system that will do a good job at a much lower cost without all the hassle.

I'm starting to think the same way about the insulation grant. You can buy 11 square meters of 6 inch insulation in B and Q in Newry for 14 euros. The HES grant is for 250 euros BUT you also have to use a registered installer so this will add to the cost. I have a hunch thata it will be far more cost effective for me to install my own roof installation with Newry purchased installation.

btw - can anyone answer my question about whether the newer radiators with fins are twice as effective than a comparable volume radiator without fins?. If this is true - it seems outstanding that the SEI have missed this point - as doubling the heating efficiency of the radiators in a house would
yield huge performance improvements (as opposed to zonal heating for example)

Smcgie

I can't really answer your question.. But I do know that zone controlling will be way ahead of any upgrade of radiators