Paul McC writes in another thread:
Is it impossible for a member of the public to install their own oil boiler as an OFTEC registered engineer will only cert their own work.... What would be the process to get the OK on a boiler I install myself.?
I’m starting a new thread here as it’s a subject in its own right.
Being in the same position as you, Paul, I have taken a close interest in this. It seems to me that, no, you cannot install or modify your system without ‘expert’ intervention. As Oilman said, you could ask a registered engineer to sign off the work but he would be laying himself open. Indeed, you’re supposed to notify Building Control at the local council if you want to change boilers, who will then have you in your sights and want to know the job is being done by a ‘professional’
So between the heating industry and Mr Prescott, we DIY-ers have been got by the short & curlies. We are banned from touching our own systems in our own homes. This collective Mafia has, in its own interests, persuaded the government to introduce standards enforceable by law.
How the bureaucrats love it. Energy conservation, public safety, risk aversion, “if it saves just one life...” etc etc. Lots of hooray words. Makes so much sense, doesn’t it? To me it’s a gross infringement of my right to do what I want in my house, so long as it’s not illegal (which rather begs the question) or inconveniences others.
This is not a rant against Oilman and those good folk like him who know their business and want to make an honest living, but I already have bitter experience of ‘experts’ who either don’t know or don’t care. Are they in any better position to install a system than those of us who take a real interest in the subject, do their homework, and tackle a job with a determination to get it right through pride of ownership?
Nor do I have any objection to new homes being built to enforceable standards. No-one owns them yet, so no liberties are being infringed. As they are added to the housing stock, so energy efficiency will improve. And no-one could quarrel with the idea of manufacturers being encouraged to better their products, backed by industry benchmarks (although market forces are probably a strong enough incentive).
Of course I may be talking out of my posterior vent - Oilman and others will no doubt put us right.
I did ask Mr Prescott about this but he was too busy deciding whether to let Mr Cuthbertson of Stoke Poges change a tap washer...
Is it impossible for a member of the public to install their own oil boiler as an OFTEC registered engineer will only cert their own work.... What would be the process to get the OK on a boiler I install myself.?
I’m starting a new thread here as it’s a subject in its own right.
Being in the same position as you, Paul, I have taken a close interest in this. It seems to me that, no, you cannot install or modify your system without ‘expert’ intervention. As Oilman said, you could ask a registered engineer to sign off the work but he would be laying himself open. Indeed, you’re supposed to notify Building Control at the local council if you want to change boilers, who will then have you in your sights and want to know the job is being done by a ‘professional’
So between the heating industry and Mr Prescott, we DIY-ers have been got by the short & curlies. We are banned from touching our own systems in our own homes. This collective Mafia has, in its own interests, persuaded the government to introduce standards enforceable by law.
How the bureaucrats love it. Energy conservation, public safety, risk aversion, “if it saves just one life...” etc etc. Lots of hooray words. Makes so much sense, doesn’t it? To me it’s a gross infringement of my right to do what I want in my house, so long as it’s not illegal (which rather begs the question) or inconveniences others.
This is not a rant against Oilman and those good folk like him who know their business and want to make an honest living, but I already have bitter experience of ‘experts’ who either don’t know or don’t care. Are they in any better position to install a system than those of us who take a real interest in the subject, do their homework, and tackle a job with a determination to get it right through pride of ownership?
Nor do I have any objection to new homes being built to enforceable standards. No-one owns them yet, so no liberties are being infringed. As they are added to the housing stock, so energy efficiency will improve. And no-one could quarrel with the idea of manufacturers being encouraged to better their products, backed by industry benchmarks (although market forces are probably a strong enough incentive).
Of course I may be talking out of my posterior vent - Oilman and others will no doubt put us right.
I did ask Mr Prescott about this but he was too busy deciding whether to let Mr Cuthbertson of Stoke Poges change a tap washer...
