Solar PV & battery installation
Greener Energy Group has been excellent to deal with throughout the whole process, from sales to EST loan application and installation. The installation was very neat and tidy and everything was completed in less than a day. System is already producing in excess of expectations so we're very happy and would have no hesitation in recommending.
Bring on the Sun…
The installation was carried out quickly and in a very tidy manner. Through no fault of their own the roofers had problems with tiles breaking but they solved the problem with no fuss whatsoever. It now remains to see how well it performs in the long term.
Hybrid Air Source Heat Pump
I initially contacted Greener Energy Scotland for a solar panel install. Brian, the Sales rep, also suggested I look at Hybrid Air Source Heat Pump. The quote for the solar was £1500 more expensive than others so I did not go with them for that. However, I did have the AHP installed via them. The office was very helpful in helping me fill the loan application form and called me almost every week to see if the loan had been approved. However, once the loan had been approved, they went quiet on me! After a few weeks, I called them to understand what was going on. At that point, they booked an engineer to visit my house. Once I explained where I want the pump to be installed, he was not sure this was going to work as my boiler was on the other side of the house. Another visit from a second engineer who walked me through the wiring, etc. His view was the system would work but the manufacturer had to be changed from Bosch to Valiant (not enough space between location and fence). All the options suggested would require trunking for the wires and cutting through coving. I had Hive to control my heating system. The previous engineer was told about it but did not point out Hive is not compatible. The second engineer did not know either but called me back later to confirm that to be the case. Wanted £400 to install the device that would allow me to control the heat pump via an app. Was not willing to pay that amount since I had invested 100s of pounds on Hive products and thermostats (this did leave me with a bitter taste of dealing with the company). A date was provided for the installation. On the day, got a call to say the installers were delayed on a previous job and a new date was set. Installation of the heat pump on Friday and electrician visit on the Sunday was agreed. I was also promised some vouchers for the inconvenience which never materialised. The installation was completed on the Friday. The pipes were laid in such a way that took up 3 sides of my loft. Brian, the electrician could not understand why it was done that way and not run the pipes straight across the loft. Unfortunately, I did not complain about it and now have to live with it. Brian turned up on the Saturday morning (unannounced) much to my surprise. Brian is the best part of the install. I had figured out a route for the cables which would do the least amount of damage to my walls. He did everything required to run the cables through the route I had identified. He did moan and swear a lot (much to my children’s amusement) but he definitely put in the effort to do a great job. Everything was superficially cleaned up (I found layers of dust in certain areas). One of the radiators stopped working after the install. Messages were not not answered. Eventually managed to get through and a date was sorted to send someone. He was again very good in explaining the issue. However, the problem is still outstanding and waiting on the report back on what the next steps are. I had ordered a heat meter to be installed but none were in stock at the point of install. Have called the sales office a few times and have left at least one message. No response yet. My experience with Greener Energy Scotland is no different to other companies. Phone calls were getting answered prior to the install but after final payment, calls go to voicemail (and no one returns the call). I think they are too busy to provide the level of service a customer expects to be 100% happy. Apart from a few issues, the service has been generally good. As for hybrid heat pump, time will tell if it was a wise investment.
Overall good, some issues though
Greener Energy Group have, overall, done a good job. In particular Tony as the installation manager and his team (Sandy, Jimmy and Jacob) were very helpful and knowledgeable - they set expectations and met these. A few things I would do differently. First, when the initial quote was received, I thought this was provided by an expert and the quote would be how the job would be carried out and how much it would cost. In fact the project was only defined after an expert installer site visit (a communication breakdown delayed this a lot). The plan for the job changed a few times. Secondly scaffolding. Despite the original visit, no need for scaffolding (at extra expense) was mentioned. The scaffolders themselves were ok but communication between them and GEG was poor and made things much more complicated (eg they turned up to remove scaffolding the day before Sandy needed it to complete the job). Finally the 'chase up' from accounts was combative in response to two simple requests(removal of scaffolding and a quick conversation with the expert electrician).
Installation of hybrid air source heat pump staff at Greener Energy were great…
The staff at Greener Energy were great during the application process, always willing to answer any questions. The installation team were great too, worked hard and tidied up after themselves, especially Brian the electrician who showed us how to use/look after our air source heat pump and talked us through how to use the programmer. Have lots of confidence in this company.
Avoid avoid avoid
At first, this company seemed great, professional sales person, all the certifications, high trustpilot score from a large number of people. Unfortunately, in my experience I cannot warn people away enough. After I paid the deposit for solar and battery, it all went a bit silent. I emailed and called to never receive responses about my installation date. Eventually called the sales person who prompted the office to call with the install date. Install itself seemed to go fine apart from having to cut a hole in my stair wall which was really poorly repaired. Right away though, my electricity use shot up by about 150%. Greener Energy were near impossible to speak to. My app wasn't working either. I eventually got hold of them and they sent someone back out. Excessive levels of electricity did drop a bit but still 50%-100% more than I used before and app still not working. Was fobbed off with various excuses that made no sense like battery was being charged and it would balance out - I pointed out that that would be a one off, not an every day. 3rd visit from electrician finally got app working. Now have the issue that I can see electricity going back to the grid when I've never seen my battery more than 23% charged. Still trying to get someone to call me back about this... Really really disappointed. Now had the solar panels for 10 weeks and can see my electricity use significantly up from last year. Waste of nearly £12k.
not impressed
absolutely nothing ! service engineer denied any knowledge of my kitchen down lighters being torn out of thier sockets,when he is the only person to go up there in the loft to adjust temp on hot water cylinder ,definately not impressed,so it looks like im going to employ an electrician to reinstall lights.
Very Good Job, looking forward to my savings
Communication was excellent, folk turned up when they said they would, work was undertaken with minimal disruption, tidily and respectfully, and system was explained in full before they left. Follow up communication was also very good.
First class service
First class service. Step by step support and expert installation.
Overall we received a very good service…
Overall we received a very good service from Greener Energy Group and I would be happy to use them again and recommend them to anyone thinking of having a Solar Array and Battery fitted