Practical Guidelines for Buyers
A decision to install a renewable energy heating system involves a major investment. This is a new technology area and you should ensure that you are fully informed and proceed carefully to ensure that you get a system that truly meets your requirements and expectations.
Whether you have only just begun to consider a renewable energy heating system, or even if you are nearly settled on your preferred system, these basic guidelines represent good practice in the selection of the system. Ultimately the decision rests with you the customer and the basis for the installation of the system should be recorded in some form of written contract between you and your chosen installer.
The installation of certain products may constitute ‘works’ or ‘development’ within the meaning of planning Acts and/or building regulations. You should ensure that you have relevant approvals in place before works commence. Your installer is required to comply with technical regulations under the Building Regulations Technical Guidance issued by the Department of Environment (at www.environ.ie).
More detailed guidance on particular systems is available in the technology specific Buyers Guides available on request (e-mail: greenerhomes@seai.ie or Lo Call 1850 734 734) or on line at www.seai.ie/greenerhomes in the Products and Grants section .
Choosing Your System
You need to be fully confident that the system you select will meet the heating needs of your home in an efficient and effective manner and is within your budget. The design of that system is best done by an appropriately skilled or experienced installer.
Check out our online solar thermal calculator to get an idea of size, cost and payback periods for the installation of solar panels.
Getting the Best Option
Shop around. Before settling on any one product type, or installer, get at least two quotes for the equipment and installation, more if desired, and compare the offerings. You might also ask for quotes on likely running costs in terms of cost per unit of energy delivered. If you have decided on a particular product / system, but remain uncertain about the installer, then contact the manufacturer / supplier directly and ask them if they can recommend an installer to you.
Check References
While comparing the quotes that you have received, and before you make any final decision, request the prospective installers to provide reference homes where they have installed your chosen system or similar systems. Contact the references supplied (again try for two or more):
- ask if the job came in on time and on price
- confirm that they are fully satisfied with the system
- check that it is operating correctly
- check that they are satisfied with the standard of workmanship of the installer
- see if there were any issues during or since installation and whether they were resolved to the clients satisfaction
- ask about the scope and quality of their after sales service.
It will always be worth visiting one of these homes to see the product in operation and to satisfy yourself of the workmanship firsthand.
Formalise the Relationship
As stated, the contract for the purchase and installation of the product will be between you the customer and your chosen installer (and possibly the supplier). This is best done through the use of a written contract that records the following aspects of the agreement:
- obligations of the installer / supplier in the installation of the product
- your duties in terms of facilitating the installation
- payment terms and milestones
- obligation of installer / supplier to effect and maintain appropriate levels of public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance from the date of commencing installation works until the end of a period of 6 years from the date of completion of the installation
- agreed terms for dispute resolution should problems arise before, during or after the installation has been completed
In short, the decision is with you, the customer. The contract is between you and the installer. The warranty and aftercare responsibility of the product and installation rests with the installer.
SEAI Can Help
SEAI has a range of support information to assist you in your decision, including the following:
Product Overviews - give you the buyer, details as to how the technology works and what it can be expected to deliver.
Product Buyers Guides - for Solar, Heat Pumps, Wood chip/pellet boilers & Wood chip/pellet stoves these provide more detailed guidance on a range of questions you should ask your installer to address satisfactorily before you come to any decision.
Registered Product Lists - Lists of products which have been identified to us for the Scheme.
Registered Installer Lists - Lists of installers who have applied for inclusion on the Registered Installer List.
A Model Contract - A model written contract which may, depending on your circumstances, be suitable to use as a basis for agreeing a contract with your chosen installer/supplier, or as a template for you to assess your chosen installer’s/supplier’s own terms and conditions.
Homeowner Installation Guides - for Solar installations, Heat Pump installations, Wood chip/pellet boilers or stoves . These leaflets outline some important points the homeowner should be aware of when the unit is installed.
The above Information is supplied as advice only in order to assist grant applicants in their decision and in an effort to ensure that the grant applicant gets the most appropriate technology supplied and fitted in a professional manner.
DISCLAIMER
SEAI reserves the right to reject/approve applications for grants under the Scheme, and to modify the Scheme at any time at its sole discretion, and shall not be held liable for any loss or damage incurred as a result of such modifications or decisions. SEAI accepts no liability in respect of any claim or cause of action arising out of, or in relation to, any equipment, product, work, system or installation in respect of which grant approval was given by SEAI. No undertaking, guarantee, assurance or other warranty, express or implied, is given by SEAI, or any of its agents or servants, in respect of the cost, quality, efficiency and/or benefit of any work, equipment, product, service or installation provided under the Scheme.
The information provided herein and on SEAI’s website is provided solely for the purpose of providing assistance to the public, and is not intended to warrant or guarantee the quality of the product and/or the installation.
