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Here at North East Solar, we are accredited and proud to be a member of the HIES scheme, which delivered the following milestones according to their 2022 annual report. But first, let’s explore what an HIES accreditation includes and what it means to you as a consumer when choosing us for your solar panels installation.
Who Is HIES and What Do They Do?
HIES, the Home Insulation & Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme, is a respected and essential entity within the renewable energy sector. The primary mission is to transform consumer protection by setting and upholding the highest standards in the industry. HIES are a Chartered Trading Standards Institute Consumer Code dedicated to safeguarding the interests of both consumers and installer members. HIES plays a pivotal role in ensuring that consumers have access to top-quality renewable energy solutions, including solar panels, with the assurance that their investments are protected and installed professionally. We provide rigorous accreditation to installer members, ensuring they meet strict criteria. In return, consumers benefit from reliable, efficient, and secure renewable energy installations, all backed by comprehensive guarantees and insurance.
Benefits of HIES Accreditation – What it Means to You as a Consumer
The HIES accreditation process involves various checks, such as background checks, competency evaluations, qualifications, and more. Being a member of HIES holds immense advantages for installers and consumers, particularly when installing solar panels. For installer members, HIES accreditation signifies a commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, quality, and consumer protection. It offers access to a robust support network, including dispute resolution services, and helps build customer trust.
On the consumer side, choosing a HIES-accredited installer for your solar panel installation means peace of mind. You can be confident that you are working with a vetted and accredited professional who will install top-notch solar panels, provide comprehensive guarantees backed by insurance, and be responsive to any concerns or disputes that may arise during or after the installation process. It’s all about ensuring a seamless and secure experience for you while contributing to the growth of sustainable energy solutions.
HIES Milestones
HIES is committed to revolutionising consumer protection in an ever-evolving technological landscape. HIES’s core mission is built on three fundamental principles: safeguarding consumers, supporting installer members, and elevating industry standards.
As of December 31, 2022, HIES achieved the following milestones:
– Protected over 260,900 customers
– Covered contracts valued at over £1.7 billion
– Collected more than 32,100 customer surveys evaluating installer performance
– Efficiently resolved over 4,200 disputes between consumers and members
HIES actively engage with various stakeholders, including civil servants, trade bodies, BEIS, Ofgem, Trustmark, MCS, Flexi-Orb, and UKAS certification bodies. This collaboration helps shape robust protection mechanisms in the renewable sector. As a consumer, it offers you better protection when installing renewable energy generators such as solar panels, heat pumps and boilers.
Review of the Renewable Sector in 2022
The renewable energy installation industry had a dynamic year in 2022. The launch of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, a UK Government initiative, aimed to support the transition to low-carbon heating technologies in buildings, making them more cost-effective for consumers. HIES observed increased registrations for solar PV, air source heat pumps, and battery storage, while biomass and boiler registrations declined.
Here’s a figures snapshot for the last 12 months:
– Solar PV registrations surged by 302%
– Air Source Heat Pump registrations increased by 16%
– Battery Storage registrations saw a 22% uptick
– Biomass registrations dropped by 41%
– Boiler registrations plummeted by 64%
Overview of HIES – Journey So Far
Since its inception, HIES has achieved significant milestones, including:
– Recruiting over 1,000 members
– Protecting more than 260,900 consumers
– Safeguarding deposits totalling over £197 million
– Insuring contracts worth £1.7 billion
– Collecting over 32,100 customer satisfaction surveys
– Handling over 4,200 consumer disputes
Conclusion
In conclusion, at North East Solar, we take immense pride in our accreditation and membership with HIES. As we’ve explored, HIES is more than just an accreditation; it represents a commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, quality, and consumer protection in the renewable energy sector. For you, the consumer, it means peace of mind when choosing us for your solar panel installation—a guarantee that your investment is safeguarded, our accredited professionals handle your installation, and that you have access to dispute resolution services should the need arise.
As demonstrated by their 2022 annual report, HIES is dedicated to revolutionising consumer protection in the face of ever-evolving technologies. Their milestones, including protecting over 260,900 customers, insuring contracts worth £1.7 billion, and efficiently resolving over 4,200 disputes, reflect their unwavering commitment to safeguarding consumers. They actively engage with industry stakeholders to shape robust protection mechanisms, ensuring a safer and more reliable experience for you when installing renewable energy solutions like solar panels.
Read the whole report here.
Considering Solar Panels?
If you have any questions about our HIES accreditation or solar panels, call us at 0191 500 1154 and one of our friendly solar experts will help you!