Broughton Community Energy
Here to Help
As this project progresses, we are getting great feedback and support. People are keen to do what they can in their own homes. But, and it's a big BUT who do you turn to for advice and support? Who is the best to turn to for heat pumps, who can provide insulation, what to do about solar panels, can someone come to my house and advise me? Sadly, in this litigious world we cannot make recommendations, but what we can do is share with you the information we have picked up along the way.
Much of our information comes from people in the village who have already been along this route and are happy to share information on the people they have used and whom they would recommend
We are also working with My Home Made Better, Winchester Action against Climate Change (WinACC) and TEC, visit their websites to see the useful information they provide.
We do strongly suggest that if you are thinking about moving over to a Heat Pump that you do your research before your old boiler packs up and you are left rushing round getting everything done in a panic in the middle of winter. Some suppliers will come to do an assessment of your house first. There is sometimes a cost for this but that cost is often discounted from the cost if you go ahead.
Which brings us nicely on to Heat Geek
We think it is worth us telling you about Heat Greek, they are a Franchised community of independent installers. Established in 2016.
All engineers, although independent, are trained to an exacting standard by Heat Geek before they are allowed to trade under that name. They have developed an advanced technology platform using LiDAR, AI and data analytics to allow engineers to do an in depth study of your home before making recommendations.
The recommendations are checked for validity by Heat Geek head office before the engineers are allowed to proceed.
The work comes with a guarantee that if it does not meet the levels of warmth stated by the installer, a refund will be offered.
With Heat Geek there is a brand reputation to protect, if something goes wrong, it’s not just a lone trader — there is a franchisor and a network involved
They also have a number of very useful videos about Heat Pumps
Supplier Information
The information below has been passed to us by people in the village or has been gathered as part of this project. It is provided for reference not recommendations. There is also a link here to the Suppliers on the MHMB website
Supplier
Services Provided
Contact Details
Comments
Date Added
ID
South Coast Electrical
Solar
Battery Storage
Absolutely first class
26.02.11
JM
Hursfords Heating
Heat Geek
Heat Pump
Can't fault them.
26.02.11
JM
JoJu Solar
Heat Pumps
Solar Panels
Battery storage
Phone : 0207 697 1000
Email : info@joju.co.uk
Web : joju.co.uk
We used Joju Solar and we're very happy. They supplied us with a complete installation including solar panels, battery, water heater and EV charger.
25.11.12
BP
AES Ltd - Romsey
Heat Pumps
Solar Panels
Battery Storage
On our neighbours' recommendation we had our solar panels and battery installed in May 2023 by Abel Environmental Services (AES) from Romsey, and they were efficient, knowledgeable, and reasonably priced. In fact three of us have used them on each others' recommendations, so I'm sure they woud be happy to fix up the rest of Broughton.. Our energy supplier is Octopus, and they are mostly paying us more than we pay them.
25.11.12
BP
AW Gas Ltd - Soton
Boiler
Heating
We used a company called LW Gas for boiler and water tank work last year.
Can highly recommend them!
25.11.04
KM
AES Ltd - Romsey
Heat Pumps
Solar Panels
Battery storage
They had a lot of technical knowledge and good reviews
25.10.27
SD
A&M Insulation - Totton
Insulation
Phone : 02380 178671
Email : online form
Web : amenergysolutions.co.uk
I think they were recommended by person doing the EPC
25.10.27
SD
Rob Blackwell Pro-Insulate
Insulation
I used Rob Blackwell to upgrade the insulation in our loft in June 2023. They did a very neat job at a competitive price.
25.10.26
JB
Cinergi
Heat Pumps
Solar
Battery Storage
We have used Cinergi for our ASHP and Tesla Powerwall battery installation and can’t recommend them highly enough. Good from the advice given at the sales stage, always good communication throughout and excellent workmanship (what more could you want !).
We had an Air Source Heat pump installed in February 2024 and two Tesla Powerwall batteries in June 2024 by Cinergi who are a local family run business based in Romsey. We found them very professional throughout and gave us good advice at the sales stage, kept to the agreed timescales, completed the work to a high standard and were always contactable.
They have experience includes Solar panels, ASHP’s, Electrical storage batteries and EV car charging. We have a neighbour who has also used Cinergi to install an ASHP and was also pleased with their dealings with the company.
25.10.26
AC
Advisers
Many people feel they would like to have someone come to their house to look round and advise them about what changes they should make to improve the level of home energy efficiency. Some people may turn to an EPC assessor, although they tend more just to let you know where you are, and not advise you on where to go.
You would be best looking for a Retrofit Assessor. At the moment they seem to be few and far between, so for now we are suggesting that you go to the Elmhurst Energy website where they have a comprehensive list. We are not in a position to make any recommendations, but we do ask that if you use the list and find someone you feel is good, please let us know so we can pass that information on.
Our friends at My Home Made Better, WinACC and TEC also have useful information on their websites.
Here at BCE we are lucky to have been loaned a Thermal Imaging Camera. This can be very useful for identifying cold spots indoors and hot spots outside showing where the old is getting in and the heat getting out. If you've not played with one before it takes a little while to better understand what you are seeing. But if you contact us, someone can perhaps pop round to help your investigations.
One final source of advice to be considered is Heat Geek. If you are looking to change to a heat pump they will come round and do a full room by room assessment of your house to see if it is suitable, and to recommend changes that might be needed. This assessment costs in the region of £300, but is discounted from the final total should you proceed. Of course if you don't proceed then at least you've had an assessment done.