Arun warning to give cold callers a cool reception

Homeowners have reported receiving telesales or door-to-door calls, offering access to grants and deals on loft and cavity wall insulation, with some even implying they are connected to Arun district or West Sussex county councils.

Jo Brooks, energy efficiency officer at Arun, said there were a number of genuine government grants to allow homeowners to bring t wall insulation up to modern standards, these are being phased out, and “rouge traders” were currently competing hard for the remaining business.

“Insulating your home is a great way to help you stay cosy in the winter and there are lots of genuine free offers around,” she added.

“But there are so many companies now competing with each other to try and find lofts and walls that still need insulation before grant funding ends that we know it can be very confusing.”

She added residents who were unsure could call Arun for advice, or sign up to council-endorsed scheme.

“Literature about these will always have the Arun District Council logo on it and my contact details. No council will cold call you about

insulation grants and installation services. You have to request a survey visit by contacting us. We work with two approved companies, HCL and Forward Energy Solutions (FES) who may letter drop to inform you of what to do if your home could be better insulated, but they will not cold call and try to sell you anything at the door or on the phone, nor would there be any up-front payment required.”

Paul Wotherspoon, Adur District Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said doorstep sellers normally presented a number of potential risks. “You should never feel you have to sign up to anything on the doorstep,” he said. “Sometimes things can be made to sound hard to resist, but a reputable company would never force you into an instant decision.”

To contact Jo, call 01903 737755 or email [email protected]