Going green is certainly order of the day, but will helping to save the planet provide you with piece of mind or a huge headache?
Dealing with smart energy has been as straight forward as managing the accounts for the new Wembley stadium. From technicians who aren't sure what they are supposed to install, to solar panels being mounted on the wrong side of the roof, Smart Energy has it all.
The very concept of solar energy and solar heating is a fragile one. How effective are the panels, do they work when its cloudy, will they make a difference to the rising energy bills? It makes the choice of supplier that bit more important, and if your not sure of the capabilities of the technology, you best be sure the process isn't going to have a negative effect on your quality of life!
From the very moment pen struck paper and the deal was signed the ordeal (which is no less than the experience has become) has been littered with incompetence, poor communication and abrasive or non-existence service.
Recommended by a friend we were hopeful that the extra £££ charged by Smart Energy would indeed be money well spent on quality products and service. The sales representative was full of reassurance that indeed we would be dealing with the very 'top end' of solar technology. But all was not well………
After a slightly slower than expected start confidence was undoubtedly rocked when the 'roofing specialist' started to mount the solar panels on the wrong end of the roof. Only after a few polite questions, from a less than technically minded individual, did the gentleman concede that he had in fact he'd 'been looking at the plans backwards.'
From there the whole operation seemed to take on a path of its own, technical equipment was mounted in the wrong place, no hot running water over Christmas, a damaged antique chest of draws, a tin of wood stain was kicked over in the loft staining the walls of a newly decorated bath room beneath, central control units (running death toll of three) seemed to be replaced quicker than premiership managers, all in all it was a disaster.
On top of these 'technical difficulties' that have prevented the system being fully operational we have had to deal with some less than impressive customer service. At one point on the phone to a senior member of staff I found my self questioning how this gentleman had found himself in a service industry, and weather his telephone manner might be better suited to military interrogation.
We are still at odds with company and I hope I haven't seemed flippant in my review of the service, but there are some occasions when you have to laugh or you might well cry. I would certainly avoid Smart energy at all costs.
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Nice to see a new member writing here so welcome to ciao from me . Riss
manlybeach 01.05.2008 23:52
we are going to have solar panels put in but not by this company! Heard a few bad things about them. I hope you get things resolved. Very good first review and welcome to ciao
Advantages: Good early savings from SMART Energy Master. Professional People. Quality Panels. Flexible Disadvantages: It is complex, expensive and you must use the system properly to gain savings
Advantages: Little lower gas bills, satisfaction your helping to save the planet Disadvantages: Pushy sales man, unjustifiable high price, kit not high quality.
Advantages: Good early savings from SMART Energy Master. Professional People. Quality Panels. Flexible Disadvantages: It is complex, expensive and you must use the system properly to gain savings
May 1st, 2008
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