Pensioner left without boiler for three weeks

By Dan Santy Wednesday 16 January 2013 Updated: 05/02 08:18

Buy photos » Pensioner Don Penfold was left without heating or hot water for over three weeks in the middle of winter before Eon fixed his boiler. (s)

AN 88-year-old man was left without heating or hot water for over three weeks after energy company Eon failed to fix or replace his boiler.

Don Penfold has had to face dropping temperatures since Christmas Day without a working boiler after numerous Eon engineers visited his Pinfold Street home only to find they did not have the right parts to repair it.

The situation has angered him and his son, Joe Penfold, since the terms of his boiler cover dictate it should be replaced if the parts needed for a repair cannot be found.

Eon promised Mr Penfold it would be able to source the parts, only to then tell him it could not and that he would have to wait.

It was only this week that Eon moved to replace the boiler, free of charge. An engineer was sent to carry out the work yesterday (January 16).

The company said it was 'truly sorry for the concern and upset this matter has caused'.

Don said he had been forced to wash in water boiled from a stove and use his gas cooker to heat his home, describing the situation as 'terrible'.

Son Joe, who works in Germany and so has been unable to see his elderly father, said: "I cannot believe an international company such as Eon is not able to repair a boiler which has been out of service for such a long time.

"A day or two would be bad enough at this time of year - but several weeks is atrocious.

"His health has suffered and continues to deteriorate. He really does rely on his daily bath to maintain his mobility and this is a major factor in his being able to live independently."

A spokeswoman for Eon said: "We have apologised for the inconvenience caused and are arranging to fit a new boiler, at no charge, as the part needed is still unavailable."