Powys County Council's Trading Standards Team has issued a warning to residents in Powys, urging them to be cautious when approached by traders offering to install home energy products.

Several companies operating in the county claim to provide funding or grants to make homes more energy efficient at reduced or no cost. These companies often employ tactics such as sending letters, making unsolicited calls, and arriving unannounced at households.

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Cllr Richard Church, Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, said:

"Making energy efficiency improvements to your homes can reduce heating bills and help lower carbon emissions, which is good for householders and the environment.

"However, this is a complex marketplace as there have been a long line of energy schemes available to householders as well as numerous companies across the UK that provide and install a range of energy efficiency measures.

"Whilst there are genuine schemes and companies that can help to make homes more energy efficient, there are, unfortunately, rogue traders taking advantage of this marketplace and targeting householders.

"The practices of misleading the householder into agreeing for works and the poor workmanship that follows is well known, and the latter can leave the householder having to foot the bill to repair any damage caused.

"I urge any householder to check first the validity of any scheme, product, installer and payment before entering into a contract, whether it is free or not."

To combat fuel poverty in Powys, the council has implemented the ECO4 Flex scheme. This initiative, managed by Warm Wales, a community interest company specializing in addressing fuel poverty in Wales, aims to facilitate home energy improvements. Warm Wales will handle all aspects of the scheme, including handling inquiries, assessing client eligibility, and collaborating with energy providers and obligated agents for the implementation of energy efficiency measures.

Residents interested in learning more about the Warm Wales Powys Energy Saving Scheme can visit the official website at www.warmwales.org.uk/powys-energy-saving-scheme-2/ or contact them directly at 01656 747 622.

In addition, the Trading Standards Team advises residents to register with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) at www.mpsonline.org.uk/ to stop receiving advertising material addressed specifically to them. To minimize nuisance calls, they recommend registering for free with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) at www.tpsonline.org.uk/.

For further consumer advice or to report concerns about rogue traders, residents can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline at 0808 223 1133. Welsh-speaking advisers are also available at 0808 223 1144.

By staying informed and taking precautionary measures, Powys residents can protect themselves from potential scams and make informed decisions regarding energy efficiency improvements for their homes.