I responded to a leaflet - something I rarely do - but had been thinking about Solar as a means of reducing our energy bills which approach £2500 a year. Installing solar is one of a number of steps i am taking, including new high efficiency windows and doors, 10" loft insulation, replacement boiler and better understanding of my energy use in general.
The first appointment was agreed - I had to cancel at short notice - called their call centre who gave me HQ number - sadly the lady I spoke with never passed the message on so the salesman turned up anyway! It was not convenient to he went I suspect a bit cross.
We re-arranged, and despite my doubts, and irritation at their request to have my wife present, the meeting went ahead. My wife had to go out so I was on my own! The salesman said he was self employed, didn't use the system himself because of his house circumstances, but was installing fo his mother. He spent several hours with me, realising I had done some research - so did not treat me like an idiot. We did reach agreement that the payback s actually on the Smart Energy Master Controller - rather than the solar panels, but if you treat it as a package then I think the payback is about 10 years - assuming you are sensible and change your existing boiler settings etc - something i suggest is a great benefit of the Smart Energy Controller. I did sign up, with some hesitation, but we agreed a price - not the cheapest - but i felt I had a reasonable deal. All in all £8k including over £2k for the controller, and including a new 180litre tank, and 2 x 15tube panels set one on each side of a shallow pitched roof to gain maximum heat. I also negotiated a reduced deposit - making sure I was not too exposed. Since then the service has been outstanding. I received a call to arrange for the survey - duly completed, by a professional man who suggested we would have a lot of water given the pitch of the roof which should allow both panels to gain some heat most of the day. I have received calls from Smart Energy to arrange electrician visits, and the electrician has arrived twice bang on time. The first time he did earthing tests, and bonded the gas meter. He also installed the fused spur ready for the system in the airing cupboard. The second visit was to install the Smart Energy Master. The guy was extremely helpful, and spent 6 hours with me. He discovered a problem with one of the motorized valves which he isolated so we would not be pumping heat around when not wanted. He demonstrated the kit - I have to say it is complex to start with - and left. Since then - and bear in mind I don't yet have the panels, my gas consumption has reduced from immediately before the installation of the Smart Energy master from around 75kwh per day to around 15kwh per day. I realise this is not all down to the Smart Energy master - the fact is the guy also fixed a fault - but it is very clear the new controller is much more sophisticated in managing the boiler.
I would recommend anyone putting panels in to consider the Smart Energy Master - or something similar by other companies - there is a choice.
I would also say Smart Energy have been polite, professional, helpful and to be honest I feel pretty good about them thus far.
In summary: - I don't think you will get savings from the panels UNLESS you have better management of your boiler - posts I have read here suggest boiler firing reduced the potential saving - this is very easily resolved! - So far, despite a long long sales pitch, I did not feel too harrassed - Do your research in depth BEFORE committing to see anybody - the more informed you are the less vulnerable to the spiel
I will do a further update when the panels are installed at the end of July.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Little lower gas bills, satisfaction your helping to save the planet Disadvantages: Pushy sales man, unjustifiable high price, kit not high quality.
Jun 4th, 2009
very helpful by (100%):
