G
Goldspoon
There are other competent person schemes for solid fuel, Hetas is just one of five or six. Others include NAPIT, NICEIC, APHE.
As to your point about Hetas not getting away with robbery: Hetas do not set prices, they are just a regulatory body.
Any builder, plumber, tradesman can fit a stove if they notify Building Control and many do.
You seem to be angry about two issues:
1. You believed you were lied to by Hetas engineers.
Hetas engineers do not only have to adhere to building regs they also have to adhere to Hetas standards which are often stricter. Hetas tend towards the highest standards whether that be the regs or British Standard, European Standard, manufacturer's preferred standard etc. Building regs do not say a liner is required if a flue passes Smoke Test 1 (sealed smoke test). That's it. However, if a flue is large/cold/very uneven internal surface then the draw may not be good and the installation may fail the stove manufacturer's requirements for draw. In this case the Hetas engineer may face action by Hetas should the customer raise a complaint. I believe that Building regs also state that smoke should be carried away satisfactorily so one might fall foul of Building Regs.
So... many Hetas engineers choose a liner even though Building Regs do not insist.
Of course some will use this as an excuse to always fit a liner and make the money from the fitting.
Hetas suggest a liner be fitted if the chimney is 9" diameter or more (or 9"x9" if square). Hetas recommend a liner if the chimney is brick or stone and not lined with any other product.
2. Capitalism
Supply and demand causes prices to rise and fall. In our society any person can charge what they like. You can disagree with this but I suggest you really require a politics forum.
Over recent years sales of solid fuel appliances has risen but the number of people prepared to install has not caught up (to install a stove one requires a variety of skills: builder for fireplaces, hearths and chimney pots/plumber to deal with old back-boilers/tiler for hearths/stove fitter of course and be happy on ladders/cat ladders). Hence the supply and demand issue. It's more of an issue in the lead up to Christmas with too many people leaving stove installs to the last minute.
As to your point about Hetas not getting away with robbery: Hetas do not set prices, they are just a regulatory body.
Any builder, plumber, tradesman can fit a stove if they notify Building Control and many do.
You seem to be angry about two issues:
1. You believed you were lied to by Hetas engineers.
Hetas engineers do not only have to adhere to building regs they also have to adhere to Hetas standards which are often stricter. Hetas tend towards the highest standards whether that be the regs or British Standard, European Standard, manufacturer's preferred standard etc. Building regs do not say a liner is required if a flue passes Smoke Test 1 (sealed smoke test). That's it. However, if a flue is large/cold/very uneven internal surface then the draw may not be good and the installation may fail the stove manufacturer's requirements for draw. In this case the Hetas engineer may face action by Hetas should the customer raise a complaint. I believe that Building regs also state that smoke should be carried away satisfactorily so one might fall foul of Building Regs.
So... many Hetas engineers choose a liner even though Building Regs do not insist.
Of course some will use this as an excuse to always fit a liner and make the money from the fitting.
Hetas suggest a liner be fitted if the chimney is 9" diameter or more (or 9"x9" if square). Hetas recommend a liner if the chimney is brick or stone and not lined with any other product.
2. Capitalism
Supply and demand causes prices to rise and fall. In our society any person can charge what they like. You can disagree with this but I suggest you really require a politics forum.
Over recent years sales of solid fuel appliances has risen but the number of people prepared to install has not caught up (to install a stove one requires a variety of skills: builder for fireplaces, hearths and chimney pots/plumber to deal with old back-boilers/tiler for hearths/stove fitter of course and be happy on ladders/cat ladders). Hence the supply and demand issue. It's more of an issue in the lead up to Christmas with too many people leaving stove installs to the last minute.