Room 101

[Gray]

The Golden Globes.
Any film or TV awards.

 

[Roger_A]

If your boiler is older than 12 years its a blessing in disguise .New boilers are a lot more efficient you be shocked on how much you will save in gas bills.
Combi boilers are a lot more unreliable due to the fact every thing like the expansion tank is squashed inside

best bolier Worcester Bosch
best for the price Pottern .
would also recommend Hive if you dont already have it .

Most installers and reviewers reckon that a boiler is good for about 10 - 12 years, so if you're getting significantly more than this you're doing well though the latest boilers will be more efficient. Also agree that Worcester-Bosch are best as they regularly top reliability charts (eg Which?). Our last boiler which was about 17 years old when we changed it in October 2024 never put a foot wrong though we did have it serviced annually and it was replaced with one of their latest models which is proving just as reliable. Note that if you have it installed by one of their approved installers then depending on which range it's from you get a warranty of up to 10 years.
I disagree about reliability of combi boilers - both our last and latest model are this type. They should also be more efficient in heating hot water than having a hot water tank.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

If your boiler is older than 12 years its a blessing in disguise .New boilers are a lot more efficient you be shocked on how much you will save in gas bills.
Combi boilers are a lot more unreliable due to the fact every thing like the expansion tank is squashed inside

Mrs GSV worked out that we've had it for almost 17 years - far longer than I'd have credited it. Efficiency of old one was over 89% and new one will be 94% - sounds like we shouldn't expect a massive saving, though the old one is (I would guess) highly unlikely to have been working as well as it did when new.

We had to get rid of the boiler that was in when the house was new because it started to sound like the house was being buzzed by a biplane every morning...

 

[Al ears]

Mrs GSV worked out that we've had it for almost 17 years - far longer than I'd have credited it. Efficiency of old one was over 89% and new one will be 94% - sounds like we shouldn't expect a massive saving, though the old one is (I would guess) highly unlikely to have been working as well as it did when new.

We had to get rid of the boiler that was in when the house was new because it started to sound like the house was being buzzed by a biplane every morning...

Aren't they trying to phase out gas boilers in favour of electric ones?
Mine is on its last legs at 28 years....

 

[DCarmi]

Aren't they trying to phase out gas boilers in favour of electric ones?

They were going to ban them from 2035 but those plans have been dropped in favour of "encouraging" people to install heat pumps via grants for heat pumps. They are also looking at a plan to mix 20% hydrogen into the gas supply, currently being piloted in some areas.

Most new boilers are hydrogen ready.

 

[Gray]

'Bloatware' and 'partners'.
My brother was setting up a basic Windows 11 laptop for me yesterday - which I may use (if I have to) in the future.

A USB drive had something called 'Crapfixer' on it - to disable much of what Microsoft do to steer you in their direction.

On my phone, just looked on another forum - and got the usual accept / reject pop-up - suggesting that I agree to 873 of their 'partners'.

I absolutely detest what we are expected put up with.
I know that's how it's all paid for, but the fact that things like Crapfixer exist, says it all.
What a world this is 🙄

 

[Dave_]

'Bloatware' and 'partners'.
My brother was setting up a basic Windows 11 laptop for me yesterday - which I may use (if I have to) in the future.

A USB drive had something called 'Crapfixer' on it - to disable much of what Microsoft do to steer you in their direction.

Install Linux on it. It will run far better, and eliminate all Microsoft's ********

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Our vets. My dog had to have a procedure on New Year's Eve, and I've just checked with their insurer as we hadn't heard anything. Claim not received yet, so I spoke to the vets. Apparently it can take them four weeks to get around to filling in the few lines required. I think I'm on solid ground in thinking that if we hadn't paid and then claimed (in other words, if they were still waiting for payment), the forms would have gone in instantly...

 

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

Our vets. My dog had to have a procedure on New Year's Eve, and I've just checked with their insurer as we hadn't heard anything. Claim not received yet, so I spoke to the vets. Apparently it can take them four weeks to get around to filling in the few lines required. I think I'm on solid ground in thinking that if we hadn't paid and then claimed (in other words, if they were still waiting for payment), the forms would have gone in instantly...

I’m guessing your vet is part of a chain, like ours. Independents seem to be few and far between. Our vet is also a chain vet and, it shows in the prices but, the nearest independent I can find is nearly 30 miles away and, our cat hates being in the car, so we are stuck with the chain vet,

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I’m guessing your vet is part of a chain, like ours.

Linnaeus.

 

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

Linnaeus

I see they are themselves part of a massive multinational, https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases/Linneaus-acquisition Ours is part of CVS Vets, a little smaller, still nationwide. The staff at the surgery seem like good people though.

 

[jjbomber]

I see they are themselves part of a massive multinational, https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases/Linneaus-acquisition Ours is part of CVS Vets, a little smaller, still nationwide. The staff at the surgery seem like good people though.

So if your pet is ill, just give it a Mars bar. It helps you work, rest and play. Genius solution!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Santander, though I'm sure this applies to pretty much every bank, and a great deal beyond.

Dealing with my mother-in-law's paperwork as F-I-L died last year. Great, long form to complete, which could easily be (largely) pre-populated to save time. And despite the assurances of how sorry they are 'to hear of your sad loss' etc, no return envelope. Penny-pinching that looks pretty poor to me.

EDIT: And its bereavement team. Just spoke to someone as the form doesn't detail using the additional permitted subscription option. Person I spoke to just wanted to blather on and understood the ISA rules about as well as my dog does. Gave up in the end. I find myself incensed by the incompetent. Dunning Kruger effect in action.

EDIT2: And the only way of her using APS is to visit the nearest branch. Which isn't near at all, and she has very limited mobility. All completely unnecessary.