DON’T FALL FOR THE RIPOFF TACTICS OF SOLAR COWBOYS
Numerous court cases are now pending with homeowners taking action against solar heating installers who they believe made exaggerated claims about the benefits and the promised ‘payback’. The Heating Helpline, the free consumer advice service operated by the HVCA, advises homeowners to seek advice from HVCA members who can offer expert, impartial advice.
10 February 2012 – In the past two years Consumer Direct, the government funded advice service, has received hundreds of complaints from homeowners about their solar heating installations and now numerous court cases are pending with homeowners taking action against solar heating installers who they believe made exaggerated claims about the benefits and promised ‘payback’ period.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the HVCA, who operate the free consumer advice service the Heating Helpline, comments, “There are far too many ‘rip off’ rogue solar heating installers operating in the UK; unscrupulous companies that have jumped on the renewable energies bandwagon.
“With huge rises in household energy bills over the last two years, homeowners have naturally been seeking any way possible to reduce this worryingly high expenditure, and it’s clear that rogue traders are exploiting this situation with a hard sell for solar heating systems and making exaggerated claims about their benefits and the promised payback period. As bad as this is, the problem has been compounded by thousands of these installations not being correctly installed. Fitting solar heating systems, that operate to peak efficiency, is a skilled exercise and beyond the expertise of many of these rogue installers.
“Homeowners should only use reputable, reliable tradesmen for such installations and steer well clear of the cowboys. You can find reputable installers via the free Heating Helpline on 0800 840 4069 or http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk. On the website homeowners can put in their postcode and it will produce a list of reputable, reliable installers in their chosen area.
“Using competent installers will ensure you get quality workmanship; that the installation meets all the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations; a warranty that actually means something, together with the best energy efficiency from your new solar installation.
“It’s also worth bearing in mind that HVCA members are not allied to any one type of heating equipment or technology. They are therefore impartial and can give expert, objective advice on what type of system is best suited to a homeowner’s individual circumstances – and budget.
“Another important factor to consider is that, as the Government wants to encourage homeowners to install renewable technologies, there are a number of grants and incentives available, such as the Renewable Heat Premium Payment Scheme (which will become the RHI – Renewable Heat Incentive scheme – in late 2012). To be eligible for any of these payments the equipment must be installed by an engineer registered with the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme). The MCS was specifically introduced to address issues like the mis-selling, quality, safety and performance of renewable technology installations. Only highly reputable, well established companies will have registered with the MCS”.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the HVCA by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert
Tel: 44(0)1256 472020
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010
E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Note to Editors
From 1 March 2012 the HVCA is rebranding and will be known as the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES).
Established in 1904, the HVCA is the premier organisation representing central heating contractors across the UK, and exists to promote fair dealing and the sound installation of heating systems.
HVCA members all undergo third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability every three years. This process is carried out by an independent certification body with an established industry reputation.
HVCA members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople.
HVCA operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
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