Is BG Power Flush necessary?

[Bigmac versus]

Sorry i missed you earlier question regarding the siting of an alarm, I always advise a plug in type for a couple of reasons.

 

1. You dont have to fix it to a wall.

2. The battery operated ones start to go off when the batteries run low causing confusion and usually a call out to verify the boiler is ok.

 

Carbon monoxide will spread evenly and enter all rooms so there is no particular place it must be but I like to see them within the same room and if for whatever reason you cant then the next room would do.

[littlewren]

Thanks again Bigmac. Where should I put the carbon monoxide alarm?

[littlewren]

Oops sorry, I was too quick in replying.

[littlewren]

Oh I see, so I can put it in the kitchen then? Why did my one say not to put it in there?

 

Thanks again for all your help.

 

Off to get sorted for the evening now, but will reply to any of your answers tomorrow.

[littlewren]

Hi Bigmac, an update on my power flush situation.

 

I didn't get the chance to write to customer services at British Gas as my daughter fell ill and I was busy looking after her. I had intended writing to them once she was on the mend.

 

Then I received a call from a British Gas technician a few days ago and he asked if he could come round to discuss the situation as he was in the area.

 

When he arrived about 10 minutes later, I was expecting a hard sell about how important it is to have a power flush, how Briitsh Gas are the experts etc.

 

Instead, he was an extremely nice man, who was obviously keen to sort out the situation, he was clearly on my side and couldn't understand why the first engineer had suggested a power flush as my system seemed fine. He said it wasn't the way British Gas did things anyway, I hadn't had lots of call-outs about my heating, but if I had, then the engineer should have mentioned a power flush there and then and asked if I would like a quote. I told him exactly what had happened and he said he would try and sort it out for me.

 

I then received a letter from British Gas this morning, saying:

 

Further to your telephone conversation with our Technical Manager, Mr X.

 

Please accept our apologies for the letter you received regarding your central heating system. This letter was sent in error. (Actually, I received a phone call first of all telling me the system needed a power flush....) Mr X has inspected your system and has confirmed that at this point in time, a power flush is not required. Your agreement has not been downgraded or amended in any way.

 

I am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused........

 

I am so relieved, but annoyed that the first engineer put all that stress and worry onto me.

 

But hats off to the second technician who came out to me, he even left me his mobile number in case I wanted to discuss it with him again. If only all British Gas employees were like him.

 

Many thanks Bigmac, for all your help on here and also slick132, I really appreciated it.

[Bigmac versus]

Littlewren thats good its sorted but in the bigger picture how many people are put in this situation and feel under pressure to have it done.

 

Can you confirm that you had contacted them about the neccesity of this powerflush as it strikes me that without raising your concerns to them they would have indeed went through with it.

 

The major problem concerning the PF is the bonus engineers get when instructed to go ahead with it, this in itself will lead to situations as above which WILL damage BG's reputation.

 

Mind next year mention the seals.

[littlewren]

Oh I definitely agree with you Bigmac, what concerns me is the situation pensioners might be in when they have British Gas out to maintain their boiler and are told the same thing. They could end up taking out a loan, maybe using a loan shark to get the money, it is most certainly worrying.

 

Yes, I did ask why I needed a power flush done when they first phoned me and the woman simply said that she had it in front of her that the engineer had said it needed doing.

 

I must admit that if I'd had lots of money in the bank - I wish! - I would probably have just thought 'well, he said it needed doing and just forgot to mention it, so I might as well get it done.'

 

British Gas really needs to stop the bonuses from power flushes but I don't suppose they will. Is this commission thing for power flushes a new thing, do you know?

 

Oh and thankyou, yes, next year I will definitely mention the seal!

 

Carrie

[slick132]

Hi LWren,

 

Sorry to butt in, but I wanted to ask what prompted the Technical Mgr to contact you.

 

Had you by this time queried/complained, by phone or letter, about the need for the PFlush and the possiblilty that it was prompted by greed, and not need.

[Bigmac versus]

Is this commission thing for power flushes a new thing, do you know? Carrie

 

No, a few years ago (6,7) I went for an interview with them and all was going well until they told me how the bonus scheme works, selling PF's alarms, upgrades etc and reminded that if you were not reaching a certain amount or you were in the bottom range then pressure may be applied by other team members of your group (pooled bonus)

 

I reminded them I was an engineer not a salesman and stopped the interview there and then.

 

Also interesting to note that BG's contractors who carry out the annual services do NOT receive these bonuses.

 

It would be very interesting to compare the amount of PF's that are said to be required from both BG engineers and contractors, i reckon there would be a large difference. BG would never provide this info mind you.

 

George

[littlewren]

Hi LWren,

 

Sorry to butt in, but I wanted to ask what prompted the Technical Mgr to contact you.

 

Had you by this time queried/complained, by phone or letter, about the need for the PFlush and the possiblilty that it was prompted by greed, and not need.

 

Hi slick, no you're not butting it at all.

 

I never got around to complaining by letter, but I did phone their customer services on the same day that I got the call from them saying that I needed a power flush.

 

The technical manager had been told of the situation and wanted to sort it out.

 

I didn't mention 'greed and not need' as I'm not that brave! lol

[slick132]

Thanks LW,

 

That's clear now.

 

[plubingforfun]

How do you know you need a power flush? The power flushing association recommends a 250ml or more water sample - if it's really dark / has bits in it, you'll need it done. I had to have one done and there are much much cheaper experts doing this now, always shop around.

[slick132]

Hi Plubingforfun (Did you miss an M from your name)

 

Welcome to CAG

 

The problem is there are only 3 members of the association in the entire country.

 

In case you are connected to the PowerFlushing Thingy, please see our site rules about promoting and/or advertising.

 

8-)