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HHIC calls for ECO safeguards

Steps should be taken to guard against low prices for installations under the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, according to the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC).

The HHIC made the call in its response to the government’s consultation on the future of ECO, which obliges large energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures to householders. The scheme operates alongside the Green Deal.

The trade association is concerned that low prices paid for installations under ECO could lead to lower quality installations. It would like to see safeguards put into place to prevent that happening.

In its consultation response, the association also says: “We would like to see each new boiler installation carry a two-year installer warranty allowing any faults that may occur to be remedied. An annual service should also be included and we would ask DECC to budget accordingly.

“We would like encourage the government to use the Benchmark scheme for all new boiler installations, which has full industry support and provides a full commissioning and installation checklist for every new boiler installed.”

HHIC also wants to see new boilers packaged with heating controls to provide consumers with the most cost-effective and energy-efficient method of heating their property.

“Packaging in this way will help the government to achieve the stringent carbon emissions targets,” the association says.

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