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| Some energy efficiency work shoddy, says OFT | Some energy efficiency work shoddy, says OFT |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A review of double glazing, insulation and solar panel installation in the UK has uncovered cases of high pressure sales and shoddy work. | A review of double glazing, insulation and solar panel installation in the UK has uncovered cases of high pressure sales and shoddy work. |
| The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) review also revealed a lack of clarity in paperwork and details of cancellation rights. | The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) review also revealed a lack of clarity in paperwork and details of cancellation rights. |
| The regulator has now written to 50 businesses telling them to ensure they treat customers properly. | The regulator has now written to 50 businesses telling them to ensure they treat customers properly. |
| The energy efficiency sector recorded total sales of £18bn in 2010-11. | The energy efficiency sector recorded total sales of £18bn in 2010-11. |
| This level of sales is expected to grow, so the OFT wants firms to raise their standards or face enforcement action that could include fines. | This level of sales is expected to grow, so the OFT wants firms to raise their standards or face enforcement action that could include fines. |
| "It is important that people can be confident the companies they deal with are complying with the law, and that they are able to make informed purchases, without pressure sales techniques," said Nisha Arora, of the OFT. | "It is important that people can be confident the companies they deal with are complying with the law, and that they are able to make informed purchases, without pressure sales techniques," said Nisha Arora, of the OFT. |
| Cancellation rights | |
| The rising level of gas and electricity bills means that many people are seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their home to cut costs. | |
| But the OFT is concerned at the number of complaints coming in about companies exploiting these homeowners' wishes, so it is opening an investigation. | |
| An initial review exposed cases of salesmen spending three hours in people's homes, telling potential customers that they would only benefit from discounts if they signed up straight away. | |
| It also found some salesmen made misleading claims about likely savings or failed to give out key information in writing, such as the right to cancel within seven days. | |
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