Tag: OFTEC

Energy campaign helps households in Scotland reduce their fuel bills this winter

As a three-month campaign to help households in Scotland reduce their energy consumption and fuels bills draws to a close, industry experts have shared their top tips for keeping warm whilst cutting costs over winter.

Big Energy Saving Winter, organised by Citizens Advice, runs up until the end of January and provides information and practical guidance on saving energy, money, and the environment through greater efficiency.

Whilst the latest figures indicate a 1.8% decrease in emissions caused by residential energy use in 2019, compared to the previous year, it is expected to rise again with more people working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

OFTEC, which represents the liquid fuel heating industry, including those on oil heating, is supporting the ‘Big Energy Saving Winter’ campaign with guidance on how households in Scotland can reduce their energy consumption and save on unnecessary heating costs during the winter lockdown. The advice includes:

1.    Adjust your heating timers and thermostats

Remember to regularly adjust your timers to ensure the house only warms up when you need it to and that you only heat the rooms you regularly use. Nudging down the thermostat by a few degrees can save you money in the long term, but don’t lower it too much as living in a cold home can be bad for your health.

2.    Upgrade your heating controls

Many homes have a simple thermostat which sets one temperature for the whole house. Installing a more advanced system can enable you to set different temperatures for each room throughout the day and even learn your habits for automated heat settings. You can also control your heating remotely, saving money by turning off the heating when you are not at home.

3. Bleed your radiators

  • It’s recommended you regularly bleed your radiators, particularly if you notice they are not warming up as quickly as they usually do. This will ensure they are working at maximum efficiency and keeping your house warmer.

4. Don’t ignore your boiler

  • It’s easy to forget about your boiler but regular maintenance is important to ensure it is working efficiently. We recommend having it serviced at least once a year by a GasSafe (for mains gas) or OFTEC (for oil or solid fuel) registered technician, who are still working during the lockdown.  They are fully qualified and will complete the work safely and to the highest standard. We recommend you discuss the service visit with the heating technician first to ensure it is carried out in a Covid-safe way.

5. Consider an upgrade

  • Modern, condensing boilers are typically smaller, quieter and more efficient. So, installing a new boiler can help reduce your fuel consumption, emissions and energy bills. For the 135000 oil heated households in Scotland the good news is that oil remains by far the cheapest off-grid fuel. And, with a ‘drop-in’ renewable liquid fuel currently being developed, you can have peace of mind that your new boiler will help the planet in the future.

Malcolm Farrow, from OFTEC, commented: “With the recent national lockdown restrictions and cold weather spell, reducing our energy usage and helping to combat climate change might not be the first thing on everyone’s minds. However, it is incredibly important for our planet and can also help reduce fuel bills which could be a relief for many households.

“We must also remember that the cost of energy is a real concern for many struggling households, particularly in rural parts of Scotland with high levels of fuel poverty, which means they can often not afford the upfront cost of installing a new heating system.

“The good news for the 135000 homes in Scotland on heating oil is that a renewable liquid fuel alternative should become available over the coming years which will help to dramatically reduce emissions without the expense of having to replace the whole heating system.”

For more information and advice, visit www.oftec.org.

Students urged to ‘stay alert’ when moving into rental accomodation

Students across Scotland heading off to university next month are being urged to stay alert and check that correct safety measures have been followed before moving into rental accommodation.

The advice follows A-Levels results day as students across the country begin to finalise their accommodation decisions. The impact of COVID-19 means an expected rise in those living and studying from home through e-learning, but for those moving into accommodation it is important not to rush into contracts.

A recent survey of students revealed over two-thirds of renters’ biggest problems included damp, lack of water or heating and living in dangerous conditions. *

There are fears that the increased uncertainty of COVID-19 might lead to students signing contracts for cheaper housing in a bid to save money without properly inspecting the property first.

This could result in students living in potentially unsafe conditions which might put their health at risk, or create significant disruption if they must move out halfway through the year because the house becomes uninhabitable. Of particular concern are poorly maintained heating systems that could be life-threatening if they emit harmful carbon monoxide fumes.

To help students know what to look out for when deciding on accommodation, OFTEC, the trade association for liquid fuels, has issued a safety checklist for students in Scotland which outlines the legal requirements landlords must follow and the key red flags to look out for:

1.    Check that every floor of the property has a working smoke alarm. Carbon Monoxide alarms are also mandatory in rooms which use solid fuel (such as an open fireplace).

2.    Make sure there is always clear access to a fire escape route.

3.    Upholstered furniture such as beds and sofas must have appropriate fire safety labels attached.

4.    Check all electrical appliances (kettles, TVs, light fittings etc.) are working correctly as it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure they are in a good condition. Electrical Safety First also recommends portable electrical appliances provided by landlords are tested at regular intervals.

5.    For a mains gas heating system, the boiler must have been serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you are moving into one of the 135000 oil heated homes in Scotland, an OFTEC registered technician should service the system. When viewing the property, ask to test the heating and check the radiators warm up.

Malcolm Farrow from OFTEC, commented: “It’s that time of year again for students in Scotland as they prepare for university and many move into rented accommodation.

“Whilst most landlords are fully responsible, unfortunately there are some unscrupulous owners who will try to dupe students into living in potentially unsafe accommodation full of problems.

“With the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can also be an incredibly nervous time for students so it would be easy to forget some of the vital property checks. But, staying alert and spotting any issues before you move into your chosen accommodation will help you avoid further problems that might affect your stay. In addition, check your tenancy agreements for any clauses around COVID-19 to get a full grasp of what you are agreeing to.”

For further advice and information, visit www.oftec.org.

To see the latest government guidance and advice for landlords and tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://bit.ly/31PzzDe

Be vigilant against lockdown scams

Concerns have been raised over the emergence of new types of scams which try to take advantage of vulnerable households in Scotland during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Over 2,000 online fraud attempts have been identified and blocked in the past month, according to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, including fake online shops and websites which attempt to steal user data, and fraudulent adverts.

It is estimated that scams cost the UK economy up to £10bn each year with the average victim losing over £3,000.

In response, OFTEC, the registration body for off-grid heating, is helping to raise awareness of the types of scams taking place during the lockdown and how households in Scotland can protect themselves from unscrupulous activity.

These include:

  • Email scams. Be wary of any emails which say you can obtain a refund on taxes, heating bills or other expenses during the lockdown. Avoid clicking on links as they may contain viruses or direct you to fake websites which are designed to impersonate well-known organisations such as banks.
  • Social media scams. Adverts offering miracle coronavirus cures or treatments are fake and should be ignored or reported through the relevant social media platform. These adverts may occasionally be mistakenly shared by a friend or family member but this does not make them any more legitimate.
  • Telephone scams. With more people at home, there is an increased risk of telephone scams from criminals pretending to be calling from a bank, mortgage provider or utility company. If you receive an unexpected or suspicious call, do not share any financial or personal information and hang up immediately. If you have any concerns about a call you have received, contact your provider directly.
  • Door knocking scams. Unqualified individuals may impersonate heating technicians or other tradespeople. If your boiler needs essential work, use a qualified technician who is GasSafe (for mains gas) or OFTEC (for heating oil or solid fuel) registered and ensure they follow government guidelines on social distancing.

Malcolm Farrow from OFTEC, commented: “Since the lockdown was announced, communities across Scotland have come together to support each other during this uncertain and unsettling time. 

“Unfortunately, a small number of individuals have sought to take advantage of the current situation and target households through scams or other fraudulent activity.

“We all need to be on the lookout for suspicious calls, emails or visitors and regularly keep in virtual touch with vulnerable family, neighbours and friends to ensure they are not being harassed in any way.

“If you do need to have essential work undertaken in your home, always use a qualified professional. Check their ID badge upon arrival and ensure they follow the government’s advice on social distancing at all times.”

For more information and advice, visit www.oftec.org.

Can tradespeople still work in my home? Lockdown questions answered

New advice has been issued to households in Scotland to help answer questions over whether maintenance or servicing work can still be carried out in the home during the Covid-19 lockdown.

According to a survey conducted before the pandemic, over half of UK homeowners were planning to have work completed on their property during 2020, at a total cost of £55bn.

Many households may now be asking whether their plans can still go ahead in the current climate and, in response, OFTEC, the registration body for off-grid heating work, has answered some of the most common questions to help homeowners in Scotland comply with government advice and stay safe.

These include: 

Can work continue in my home?

  • Repair and maintenance work can be carried out by a tradesperson providing no one in your, or the tradesperson’s, family are showing any Covid-19 symptoms. However, two metre social distancing rules must be followed and regular handwashing is recommended. It may also be worth considering whether it may be better to postpone ‘non-essential work’. OFTEC has advised technicians to undertake additional risk assessments and many businesses have signalled that they will only carry out emergency work.

Are there circumstances when work must not be carried out in my home?

  • Work should not be carried out in households where occupants are self-isolating or being ‘shielded’. If there is an urgent need to address a direct risk to those living in the property, such as emergency plumbing or repair work, this can go ahead if the tradesperson is willing to do so. Additional precautions may also need to be put in place.

If it is safe to carry out work in my home, what should I expect?

  • Many tradespeople have introduced additional precautionary measures and it is important to follow these carefully. They may include:
    • Asking you to stay in a separate room whilst the work is completed
    • Requesting doors and windows are open to increase ventilation
    • Adapting payment methods e.g. no paper invoices or cash payments
    • Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    • Regularly washing their hands and bringing their own towel
    • Declining refreshments

Can I still have heating oil delivered?

  • Yes. There are 135,000 households in Scotland who rely on oil to heat their homes and, fortunately, the price of oil has plummeted which is a welcome relief when many incomes have been reduced. However, delivery times may be slightly longer than normal so regularly check your oil level to ensure you don’t run out. Some oil delivery firms are prioritising vulnerable households so ask your provider if you fall into this category. More information is available from the liquid fuel distribution trade association’s website: UKIFDA.

Malcolm Farrow of OFTEC, commented: “It is a very unsettling time for many households and there is a lot of confusion about tradespeople working in homes. The government advice is regularly being updated so ensure you check their website for the latest information.

“Most tradespeople are also introducing new safety measures as a precaution for both your and their benefit so don’t take it personally if they change the way they work! If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to raise them with the tradesperson.

“Remember, always ask to see an ID badge to check their credentials such as whether they are OFTEC (for oil and solid fuel) or GasSafe (for mains gas) registered. This will ensure the work is completed safely and to a high standard.”

More information and advice is available on the OFTEC website.

Support for vulnerable households facing higher energy bills during lockdown

With an estimated 16.8 million more people across the UK staying at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, concerns have been raised over vulnerable households in Scotland facing higher fuel costs as their energy consumption increases during the lockdown.

Bills are expected to rise by about 30%** in the coming months as, even with the weather starting to turn warmer, households are using more power to run their hot water, heating, computers and other appliances during the day when previously the home would be empty.

Whilst the government has signalled it may step in to support vulnerable households and the initial crash in the price of oil has provided some relief to the 135,000 oil heated households in Scotland, there is concern many will still struggle, particularly if they face reduced incomes or additional costs of looking after relatives.

In response OFTEC, the trade association for the oil heating industry, is alerting households to the support available and providing advice on how to reduce energy consumption. This includes:

  • Identify the benefits available to you. Several new government measures have been announced including extended statutory sick pay (SSP) for those self-isolating, enhanced Employment Support Allowance (ESA) for the self-employed and higher housing benefit payments if your income has dropped due to Covid-19. Contact Citizens Advice for information on the support you could claim.
  • Speak with your energy provider. Customers in financial distress must be supported by their supplier, according to the government. This could include a reassessment or pausing of debt repayments. For oil households, some suppliers are prioritising deliveries to vulnerable groups such as older people, families with small children or those with underlying health conditions.
  • Only heat the rooms you are using. Turn off individual radiators in rooms you are not using to save money. Also, in the rooms you use regularly, ensure radiators are not blocked with furniture as this reduces their effectiveness.
  • Adjust your heating timers. You may have a new routine if you are working from home so check when you heating is set to turn on. For example, if you are getting up later in the morning you may not need your house to warm up as early. With the worst of the cold weather seemingly behind us, you could also start to reduce how long your heating is on for.
  • Keep in contact with vulnerable neighbours and friends to ensure they are keeping well, especially as the lockdown could increase feelings of loneliness. There are many free video-calling platforms to stay in touch or a regular phone call can make a real difference. If you need to visit them to drop off food or other essentials, ensure you carefully follow the government’s social distancing guidelines.

“During these unsettling times, many households may be feeling anxious about higher energy bills because they are spending more time at home during the day”, says Malcolm Farrow of OFTEC.

“However, new announcements about the support available are being made every day by the government and energy suppliers so it’s important to identify those which apply to you, or to family and friends who you know are struggling.

“The warmer weather will help to reduce reliance on heating and other measures such as adjusting timers and radiators may seem trivial but, over several weeks and months, the savings can really add up. They are also usually simple jobs most people can do themselves.”

More information and advice, including what to do if your heating systems needs emergency repair work during the Covid-19 lockdown, is available here: https://www.oftec.org/consumers/covid-19-consumer-information.