MAKING THE WRONG RENEWABLE ENERGY CHOICE COULD PROVE COSTLY

With home energy bills showing no sign of coming down from their very high levels homeowners wanting to cut energy consumption are bound to be tempted to install renewable technologies, but many homeowners will end up making the wrong choice – and it might prove very costly.  The Heating Helpline offers some sound advice.

1 June 2011 – The ‘green’ heating market is continuing to grow and more and more consumers are opting to install renewable technology in their homes – helped by a number of government incentives.

There is a big choice of renewable technologies available ranging from solar thermal panels, solar PV panels, ground and air source heat pumps, underfloor heating and wind turbines.  The installation costs can vary dramatically – along with the “payback” period – and not all technology is suitable for a home; heat pump performance for example is highly sensitive to installation and commissioning practices with monetary savings dependent on the correct installation of the heat pump.

Bob Towse, technical consultant to the Heating Helpline, comments, “Renewable energy systems are complex technology and it’s vital that homeowners get expert, professional advice before they commit what might be substantial sums of money for an installation that could be totally inappropriate for their needs with no realistic chance of a return on their investment.

“Already there are too many rogue installers operating who will sell a system that not only isn’t right but will then badly install it; this is for the most part specialist technology requiring technical competence for the installation and only tradesmen that have been properly trained should be employed to undertake this work.

“Our advice at the Heating Helpline is don’t just jump in or be persuaded into buying by a high pressure salesman – we urge homeowners to be cautious about getting the right renewable technology for their circumstances and how they go about finding a tradesman.

“Homeowners should only use reputable, reliable tradesmen and steer well clear of the rip-off tactics of the cowboy installers.”

Backed by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), the Heating Helpline provides consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.  On the website homeowners can put in their postcode and it will produce a list of reputable heating engineers in their chosen area.

Visit the Heating Helpline website at http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk or call 0800 840 4069.

Ends

Issued on behalf of the HVCA by Next Step Marketing Ltd

Media enquiries to:  Denzil Lee

Tel:  44(0)1256 472020

Fax:  44(0)1256 471010

E-mail:  denzil@nextstepmarketing.co.uk

Notes to Editors

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.