Boiler Service companies and false claims

ted1

I got a Leaflet in the door from a company based in Dun Laoighre advertising their boiler service, service.
What stood out for me is that they say you will save 10% from getting the boiler serviced.

Now the SEAI and other such people claim otherwise.

http://www.seai.ie/Power_of_One/Heat_Your_Home_For_Less/Servicing_Your_Boiler/

basically they say
a boiler service every year save about .2%
a boiler service every 2 year saves about 1%
a boiler service every 3 year saves about 1.8%
a boiler service every 4 year saves about 2.5%

how can they claim 10% is this a blatant case of false advertising.

Wearb

ted1 wrote: »

I got a Leaflet in the door from a company based in Dun Laoighre advertising their boiler service, service.
What stood out for me is that they say you will save 10% from getting the boiler serviced.

Now the SEAI and other such people claim otherwise.

http://www.seai.ie/Power_of_One/Heat_Your_Home_For_Less/Servicing_Your_Boiler/

basically they say
a boiler service every year save about .2%
a boiler service every 2 year saves about 1%
a boiler service every 3 year saves about 1.8%
a boiler service every 4 year saves about 2.5%

how can they claim 10% is this a blatant case of false advertising.

I see that you are quoting figures for natural gas. The savings on oil are a lot more significant.
The main reason for servicing is safety and legal obligation. Also if the boiler has been running out of adjustment those figures would change also.
Now to your question. I believe that a lot of advertising is exaggerated and in this case it certainly seems so. It is probably (bearing in mind I may not have all the facts) a good idea to avoid anybody that makes false claims. Such advertising may be a blessing in disguise from that point of view. You should make your concerns known to the appropriate authority.

ted1

Wearb wrote: »

I see that you are quoting figures for natural gas. The savings on oil are a lot more significant.
The main reason for servicing is safety and legal obligation. Also if the boiler has been running out of adjustment those figures would change also.
Now to your question. I believe that a lot of advertising is exaggerated and in this case it certainly seems so. It is probably (bearing in mind I may not have all the facts) a good idea to avoid anybody that makes false claims. Such advertising may be a blessing in disguise from that point of view. You should make your concerns known to the appropriate authority.

the ad was for a gas boiler service.
I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something before I report them.

I can't stand misleading claims.

shane0007

ted1 wrote: »

the ad was for a gas boiler service.
I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something before I report them.

I can't stand misleading claims.

TBH, I would agree with them. If you factor boilers that have not been serviced for 3+ years, heated metal components begin to suffer from metal fatigue. When serviced, many are removed & cleaned, oiled & re-instated which adds to their longevity. The cost of those components can be very significant so overall a larger cost saving.

Add that to the safety aspect, I would prefer people servicing annually & when boilers are not running as they should be, a far greater saving than 10% can be achieved.

Saying all that, if the checks & service are not done properly, the service was a waste of time.
I replaced a boiler last week that was "serviced" in October & the service guy told him he needed a new boiler. Before taking out the boiler, the gas soundness test failed as the gas fire was leaking. The vent was a hit & miss vent & located behind a large heavy curtain.

Billy Bunting

ted1 wrote: »

What stood out for me is that they say you will save 10% from getting the boiler serviced...................................

how can they claim 10% is this a blatant case of false advertising.

I would also like to see just how this ad was written up, did it say "you WILL" or you could.

Egass13

Personally I'd divert my time to something more worth while, rather than reporting a man just trying to generate work for himself in an already heavily diluted industry . He's figures May or may not be slightly exaggerated but it's no different to any company who uses clever wording and marketing tricks to drive up business in any industry.

ted1

Egass13 wrote: »

Personally I'd divert my time to something more worth while, rather than reporting a man just trying to generate work for himself in an already heavily diluted industry . He's figures May or may not be slightly exaggerated but it's no different to any company who uses clever wording and marketing tricks to drive up business in any industry.

I have no problem with some one doing an honest days work, but exaggerating claims, not only is he prying on the vulnerable in that people who mightn't have the money may believe they will save it back on no time, but also he is doing his trade a disservice as opinions form that plumbers are all cowboys.

Its for safety, sell the safety

shane0007

ted1 wrote: »

I have no problem with some one doing an honest days work, but exaggerating claims, not only is he prying on the vulnerable in that people who mightn't have the money may believe they will save it back on no time, but also he is doing his trade a disservice as opinions form that plumbers are all cowboys.

Its for safety, sell the safety

It would depend on the existing boiler efficiency & many I come across are incorrectly set up.
For example, many installers are hang 'em on the wall & if the green light comes on, it's a good 'un.
Most boilers I fit come factory set over gassed by between 6 & 7%. They are generally on 9.5 - 9.6% CO2, when they should be on 9.0%. At the higher level, they are still within MI's but I like to have them spot on.
So just by setting them up correctly will save you upto 7% in fuel. Then your cleaning of the heat exchanger, etc., a further 2% or higher depending on the boiler make & heat exchanger type/material.

So is this company trying to pull the wool over your eyes, IMO, I certainly don't think so.

But take some remote access timeclock on the market that claims upto 40% off your heating bills, then I would agree with you.