OFTEC, the oil fired heating engineers’ organisation, announced the launch of its competent person registration service for solid fuel appliances this week.
Following on soon after the announcement that it was enabling its members to register as air source heat pump and solar thermal installers recently, OFTEC now includes biomass in its portfolio.
This expands the number of heating systems OFTEC members can install among their customers who know them for their oil fired heating expertise. Existing OFTEC installers will pay £50 (or €65 in the Republic of Ireland) a year to add solid fuel appliances to their membership.
Non-members will also be able to register through OFTEC on the competent person scheme for solid fuels, but will have to pay £195 a year* and a one-off payment of £125.
OFTEC registration services director Adrian Lightwood explained:
“Our new solid fuel and renewable technology scopes of registration mean we now offer more specialised support for installers working in a wider range of heating solutions, whilst continuing to provide the same high quality service we do now for our oil technicians.
“As the off-gas home energy market gradually becomes more diverse, OFTEC will remain the quality benchmark for installers, servicing technicians and homeowners alike.”
OFTEC is an advocate of the supporting the installation of more efficient oil fired heating systems in homes through its members. However, the government is trying to encourage more off grid homeowners to switch from using oil boilers to using heat pumps to provide warmth and hot water.
The government’s flagship scheme the ‘Renewable Heat Incentive’ was meant to boost the number of people switching to more efficient, renewable heating systems.
Yet, the scheme has not been popular. The recent drop in oil prices has made it even harder for homeowners to consider installing an air source heat pump, for example, because it is not necessarily cheaper to run.
If oil prices rise, however, this could change. In which case, OFTEC members could be in a good position to help their off grid customers with a renewable heating solution.
*Assuming a single business with one technician.