Page last updated at 15:44 GMT, Thursday, October 20 2011

Choosing an Installer

For Gas Servicing, Insulation or Renewable Energy

Can you recommend an installer?

The Council does not recommend installers of insulation or renewable energy, but there are accreditation schemes that offer a list of contractors that have satisfied their criteria and so have demonstrated they can provide adequate standards of installation.   

You should always check whether any contractor who visits your home and claims to be working with or employed by Eastleigh Borough Council is bonafide by both asking for identification and ringing up the Council. 

Gas Servicing

To find a reputable gas engineer go to the Buy with Confidence (Trading Standards) website, enter your post code and choose gas servicing as the trade you are looking for.  Also follow the Rules of ensuring you minimise your chances of getting overcharged.

Cavity Wall or Loft Insulation

You can also go to the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency for advice and to find a list of their registered installers.  We advise you to only choose an installer that is registered with CIGA  www.ciga.co.uk.  You can also phone them on 01525 853300.  Insulation works carried out by installers approved by CIGA are guaranteed for 25 years. 

The National Insulation Association also has a list of installers, and more information.  All their installers are also registered with CIGA.

CIGA publish a booklet with frequently asked questions about cavity wall insulation and its effect on your home, but if you still have questions you can call them to discuss your concerns. 

You may have recently received information through your door from local insulation firms working under various schemes to promote energy efficiency and grants. We encourage all residents to take up grants, but advise you to always get at least two quotes for insulation works so you can be sure you are getting the best price and service available. 

Note that usually all insulation works carried out are subsidised to some extent by energy company grants - you do not need to go to a particular installer to take advantage of these grants.  However, you may find that the company you buy your gas or electricity from will be able to give you a better deal on insulation.  They are worth contacting to find out.  There is a list of phone numbers for the Energy Efficiency Department in the main 6 energy companies on our Grants for Energy Efficiency page.

These grants are not controlled by Eastleigh Borough Council; however, if you are concerned about any offer you have been sent information on, please contact the Home Energy Efficiency officer at the Council on 023 8068 8274 or 0800 512 012 - the national advice line - for advice.  

Renewable Energy

Under the new Feed in Tariff (FiT)or Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) schemes you could be paid to generate electricity or heat at home if you install renewable energy technologies.  See our page "Renewable Energy" for more information.  Be sure that any installer you use for either is accredited through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.  Go to the MCS website to find a list of accredited installers for all technologies and areas.  Note that under the FiT or RHI schemes both installer and the technology need to be accredited.  The RHI will not be live for domestic properties until Autumn 2012, but in certain circumstances you may be able to obtain an up front grant.

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Hampshire County Council Trading Standards runs a 'Buy with Confidence' Scheme which lists reputable local businesses, in a wide range of different trades. Member companies have been independently checked by staff from the local authority Trading Standards Service against the Scheme rules. Visit the Buy With Confidence website for more information.  There are central heating and boiler companies on this list, but not installers of insulation, as this is covered adequately by both CIGA and the National Insulation Association.

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