Strong warning on energy efficiency
RENFREWSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS
From being out and about and talking to people who have read about or been approached about energy efficiency in their home, we have become very aware that this is not a straightforward area for consumers.
While measures which reduce the amount you have to spend to heat your home are a generally a good thing, consumers do need to be careful what they are signing up to, and to check if what they are signing up for is the right thing for their circumstances.
This can be complicated. As an example: A client came to see us after having a new air source heat pump installed as well as internal wall insulation through an “energy efficiency scheme”.
This person had a tariff which meant that they paid different rates depending on whether energy was used during the day or at night. This cheaper night rate worked for their storage heaters which were charged up during the night.
However, after the heat pump was installed the client’s electricity usage spiralled and their energy costs became unmanageable – causing a debt situation. This caused much stress and anxiety because the main reason for changing their heating system was to reduce heating costs.
Another problem was that the client was never instructed in the best way to use an air source heat pump (which is best to run constantly at a low temperature). The client was turning it off and on like an electric/gas/oil central heating system but the air source heat pump cannot supply a big blast of heat like those systems.
The client’s energy company should have been involved with this installation as a meter change was required.
In addition, the client should have been moved to a single rate cheaper tariff, instead of being left with the higher day rate tariff designed to be part of a storage heater/multi rate system of metering.
They were paying far more per unit of electricity than they should have been.
If a heat pump is installed, it’s important to make sure the electricity meter and tariff are still right for you.
In this case the client found that the installers were not interested in assisting the client with the issues created by their installation, and the energy company were also unhelpful for a long time.
There are lessons here for those who are switching from storage heating, but the principle is the same for other changes to heating systems.
For example, if removing a gas central heating system, consider whether swapping out other gas-fuelled appliances, like a gas hob or oven, could allow you to remove your gas supply and standing charges completely.
With an air source heat pump, you may need larger radiators and new central heating pipes, and as with all heating systems, they may need maintenance and engineers for repairs or breakdowns.
Air source heat pumps are more energy efficient and greener than oil and gas central heating, but only marginally cheaper than LPG gas and oil central heating, and dearer than mains gas central heating.
For advice on energy concerns or arrears with energy providers contact Renfrewshire Citizen’s Advice Bureau on 0141 889 2121.
Information is also available via the national support organisation energyadvice.scot
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