C/Heating advice please?

[runnach]

My mother was assessed recently, and approved to receive free gas central heating installation (current system is 20+ years old, and no doubt very inefficient) under some scheme available throught the Scottish government, will be something like "warmfront"?

Engineer arrived at my mothers to view what would be involved, measure up ect, just of the phone from a now panicking OAP, as she was apparently told installation cannot go ahead, something to do with house wiring, engineer told my mum, whole house has to be rewired.

Anyone advise why a whole house would require a complete re-wire prior to having a new heating system installed? Sounds like a cop out.............but hey-ho could be some merit for it!!

Sorry if a bit vague, I told me mum to call me when engineer was to arrive, just like a bit of info before I tackle them on Monday.......

Thanks in advance.

Ps, don't know last time house was re-wired, but I can tell you, if anything looked dangerous, or fuses popping, my sis and I would have something done about this.

 

[paulmowers]

Hi

Could it be something to do with a clause in the grant system requiring a full electrical test?
May be different in scotland but down here my parents managed to get a large grant for re roofing the house, doing some pointing, repairing solid fuel boiler and then the electrics had to be tested??? as you say what has all that got to do with electrics, but it was in the shedule of the grant so had to be done.

paul..

 

[JimM]

Shot in the dark but is the house very old - it's been known for older properties not to have any earth running into them !

Guessing the boiler instal doesn't actually need the whole house re-wired but if it is something like the above then it's something you'll want to do anyway.

 

[hunter27]

I work for Centrica and on any work we do re boiler installations our electrician has to update the earth bonding (10mm between the gas meter, electric meter. and water stop tap) in the property but has never had to do a full rewire. but these jobs are not on a goverment grant.
pete

 

[madkayaker]

could be due to lack of earth to he water or gas and the boiler would need an electrical ticket if the rest of the wiring is not up to standard the company would be liable.

 

[runnach]

Gents, many thanks for your replies, not all doom and gloom as I first envisaged..........thankfully!

Basically, and as suggested in most replies, earth is an issue, I'll arrange for a spark to rectify and bring it up to standard.

Thanks again n cheers............

 

[madkayaker]

get a spark in to do a Periodic report. Thats a full test on the wiring. There is a guide on electrical safety council site. If you can't find anyone local at a reasonable price send me a PM.

 

[runnach]

get a spark in to do a Periodic report. Thats a full test on the wiring. There is a guide on electrical safety council site. If you can't find anyone local at a reasonable price send me a PM.

Thanks for the offer of seeking out a local spark MK, I have someone in mind.

Cheers...........

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

I applied for a grant once, first house in 1972. We could get the bathroom upgraded and the government/council would pay most of the cost, etc.

Cost to us was a few hundred pounds, I can't remember exactly what.

But, they measured the height of the kitchen ceiling and it was 1" under spec, 7' 10" or something...so they insisted on knocking down the whole of the back end of the house and re-building and it cost us over a grand.

We'd have been better off not applying for the grant and I never have since.

Basically they're all interferring gits and you don't want them in your house!

Regards
Peter