Rip-Off Ireland has become a common catch phrase in recent times. There is now a completly new type of Rip-Off going on which is based on the new Government Grant Scheme set up to promote domestic renewable source heating systems.

There are generous government grants for Solar, Geo-Thermal, and Bio-mass wood pellet heating systems. Full details are available at www.sei.ie. This is an excellent site with lots of information. There are grant application forms etc., and the site gives details of approved units and approved installers.

What the site does not detail are some of the major price rip-offs going on in the business. For instance; the cost to install a pellet central heating boiler and commission it, price not including materials, the time amounts to about a half days work, was quoted by one recommended installer at €1000 inclusive of VAT. Materials for plumbing and flue etc. are extra. Now that's price gouging at its worst, and it is just plain sickening!! I have a great dislike of gougers, I consider it nothing less than thievery.

Government "Greener Homes" Grant has spawned green eyed monsters!

Some of the more common makes of wood pellet central heating units being sold in Ireland are the Opop and Dor Boilers with either Boink or Scotte burner mechanisms fitted. The Boilers are made in the Czech Republic and I will have the retail prices posted here soon. But be assured that the Irish price is perhaps 50 - 100% more expensive. I will also publish some retail prices for the burner units from the mainland Europen Continent. Again you can be sure the Irish price is 50% to 100% more expensive.

The single biggest rip-off is in the installation and commissioning prices being charged. Like €1000 one thousand Euro being asked for a single boiler installation. The installation and commissioning time amounts to roughtly a half days work by the admission of two seperate installers. The seller/installers tend to charge less for installation and commissioning, because of the big profit being made on the sale.


Pellet Boiler Prices

On the left is a picture of a "ViaLing" VIADRUS wood pellet central heating boiler.





These boilers are manufactured in the Czech Republic and sell in many stores and hardware outlets. Viadrus is the same maker as the Hercules Eco boiler which sells in Ireland for around €6500. It would seem that the "Vialing" model is perhaps a lesser model boiler than the Hercules Eco which is cast iron in construction. The "ViaLing" appears to be a steel boiler and would therefore be a little cheaper.

Mind you, the price of a pellet boiler unit is mainly made up by the burner unit. The actual stove/oven bit is usually no more than 700 - 800 Euros. Another expensive bit is a control unit called a "Lambda" control. This bit measures the oxygene in the flue gasses and adjusts the burning process accordingly.

What is most interesting to note about the "ViaLing" boiler is the price of this unit in the Czech Republic. It sells for 66,000 Kc and even less than that in some places. Converting Kc to Euro gives you €2335!!

Now can anyone show me a complete wood pellet central heating boiler in Ireland for €2335 or anything remotly close to that price?