Evy Coe
If you want an electric heating system installed in your home, you’ll have to make a decision about who to choose to install it. There is no legal requirement to choose an installer certified by a competent person scheme, but there are lots of benefits to doing so. Read on to find out more about these benefits.
What is a competent person scheme?
Competent person schemes set standards across their industries. They are affiliated with the government. This means that registered installers can self-certify that their work meets building regulations. There are a variety of schemes across different industries.
The scheme most relevant to electric heating installations is the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT). To find out more about NAPIT, visit their website.
Why use a certified installer?
There are a variety of benefits to using an installer who is certified with a competent person scheme. Some of these are:
- Peace of mind. To be certified by a scheme, an installer must undergo training and regular inspections. This means you can be sure that their work is up to scratch.
- Building regulations. Registered installers can self-certify that their work meets building regulations. This could save you time and money. If you do not choose a registered installer, you may need to have an inspection by the local building control officer. They will need to verify that the work meets building regulations. Certified installers can also provide you with all the relevant compliancy certificates. Work may have to comply with different standards like British Standards or other legislation.
- Complaints system. In the unlikely event that you have a problem with your installation, competent person schemes run their own complaints procedure. You can use this to get help and advice, as well as to make a complaint about a registered installer.
- Workmanship warranty. Certified installers must offer a six year workmanship warranty. This means they’ll come back and fix any problems caused by their installation in this period. Even if the business is no longer trading, NAPIT guarantee the work themselves and will take responsibility for fixing it.
- Driving standards. Competent persons schemes are at the forefront of their industry. Installers certified with these schemes will be up to date with the latest developments in legislation and standards. Choosing one of these installers means you can be sure that your electric heating installation is done using modern techniques.
So now you know the benefits of using an electric heating installer registered with a competent person scheme. There is no legal requirement for you to use an installer certified with one of these schemes. However, some kinds of electrical work do need to be carried out by a qualified professional.
You can find out more about competent person schemes here.
