Billericay is home to Britain’s Oldest Boiler

A homeowner in Billericay has discovered he is the owner of Britain’s Oldest Boiler following a nationwide search by npower hometeam.

While the floppy disk, the video cassette and Bananarama have all been and gone, Colin Sadler’s boiler has been quietly ticking along at his home in Essex since 1968 and is still going strong!

Colin had never given his boiler a second thought, until his wife Sue read in his local paper that npower hometeam was on the search for Britain’s oldest system. It was then that he thought of his old Crane Caviller boiler, that has been in his home since he and his wife moved in 28 years ago, may stand a chance.

Since the Government’s boiler scrappage scheme launched in January, npower hometeam, which installs, services and repairs boilers, has overseen the replacement of hundreds of old, inefficient boilers across the country. Inspired by these discoveries, the company launched a nationwide hunt to find the oldest boiler and, out of over 100 entries, Colin’s system was confirmed as the oldest.

He will now receive £3,000 towards a new A-rated energy efficient boiler and installation.

Colin comments: “When my wife and I moved into our home in 1982, the seller warned us the boiler was quite old, but we decided to keep it as it was in good working order. It wasn’t until an engineer recently told us he was reticent to service it because it was so old that we thought it might be about time to have a new one.

“That said, when I entered it into the competition I certainly didn’t think it would be the oldest one they’d find. It’s done us proud for many years, but we’re looking forward to get a new energy efficient boiler, as I think this one has earned its retirement.”

Richard Cotton, head of sales for npower hometeam, commented: “Colin’s boiler is a great example of some of the antique systems entered in to our competition. It’s a surprise to see a system still working after more than 40 years.”

“But as with many older boilers, Colin’s system is no longer in production, which can make it difficult to service as parts are no longer available. And the boiler itself is very inefficient compared to modern boilers which could save hundreds of pounds in heating bills.”

“We’re pleased to be able to provide Colin with help towards installing a new energy efficient boiler which will make a big difference to his energy bills and carbon footprint.

For customers who want to protect their current gas boiler, npower has a pioneering new boiler care service called npower hometeam 50. It offers boiler care including an annual boiler service usually worth £74 and repairs.

hometeam 50 is priced exactly the same as British Gas’ Homecare Flexi 100 at £10.50 a month with a fixed fee of £50 per repair, and offers the same service – save for one important difference – npower’s 50% No Call Out Cash Back. 

If you’re an npower gas and electricity customer and don’t call out npower hometeam to work on your boiler during the 12 month agreement period, npower returns 50% of the cost of your annual membership to you after your year’s anniversary. 

For more details of npower hometeam’s new boiler installations or hometeam 50, visit npower.com/hometeam.