We know that works notification, receiving technical help, control documentation and the OFTEC brand are the top benefits of being OFTEC registered but, apart from these, do you know what else is available?
Here is a quick guide to the additional benefits we have sourced as potentially useful to heating professionals.
Insurance cover you can trust
Public liability insurance is a mandatory requirement for heating businesses (minimum £2 million cover) and, if you undertake design of installations, then professional indemnity is also recommended (minimum £250,000 cover). Insurance can of course be obtained quickly from comparison websites, but do you really know what you are getting?
OFTEC has partnered with Trade Direct Insurance, which has been providing tailor-made insurance and support to the construction trade for over 40 years.
To find out more call 01483 521 637 or visit
https://www.tradedirectinsurance.co.uk/our-partners/oftec/#CallMeBack.
You can also read more about public liability insurance on page 6.
Fuel cards for discounted fuel (and electric vehicle charging)
We don’t need to tell you that fuelling your work vehicle is a big business expense, so any way to lower this expenditure must be good.
If you haven’t already joined a fuel club to lower your fuel bills then it may be worth talking to FleetMaxx Solutions on 01367 704910, or visit https://www.fleetmaxxsolutions.co.uk/partner/oftec/
Fuel cards can be used at the major brands and supermarket petrol forecourts.
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
Probably not something a heating technician thinks about, but when you see the range of services it offers small businesses, you may decide it’s worth a chat.
Among the business problems you may encounter that it can help with are debt recovery, legal and health and safety advice, employment advice and workplace pensions.
To find out more, and to get £30 off the joining fee, call 07825 669182, email richard.george@fsb.org.uk or go online at https://join.fsb.org.uk/essentials (quoting OFTEC30 will get the discount).
Expanding your registration
Once your business is registered with OFTEC, it’s then possible to expand into our other schemes that could unlock more potential customers for you. We are now in a world where decarbonising homes will be massive in the years to come, and regional governments have funding available to the heating sector for homeowners to tap into.
However, to be eligible, a heating business needs to be certified to certain endorsed registration schemes. This is where OFTEC can help, and we offer registration for the schemes listed below.
Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)
This is a certification scheme for installers of renewable systems. OFTEC is accredited to offer heat pumps, solar thermal and biomass installer certification and MCS registration is needed so your customers can access the Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding in England and Wales and the Home Energy Grant in Scotland.
To find out more about MCS call our registration team on 01473 626298 or visit https://www.oftec.org/technicians/areas-of-registration/mcs-registration
PAS 2030 installer scheme for energy efficient measures
This certification scheme is based on the publicly available standard for installing energy efficient measures in existing dwellings. Measures are typically heating system components and controls, hot water systems, insulation to prevent heat loss, and water efficient taps and showers.
Work funded by the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) requires the installer to be certified to PAS 2030 and relevant measures. This heating and plumbing work is currently available in Great Britain under ECO4 until March 2026.
To find out more about the PAS 2030 installer scheme call our registration team on 01473 626298 or visit https:// www.oftec.org/technicians/areas-of-registration/pas-2030-registration
TrustMark Scheme
This is a government-endorsed quality mark for trades performing work in or around homes. The scheme’s aim is to give consumers a level of expectation of the way a heating business will work, which must be in accordance with the TrustMark customer charter.
In addition, if something goes wrong, TrustMark offers a range of remedies to give further protection to consumers. TrustMark is also a requirement to access ECO4 work.
To find out more about TrustMark registration, please call our registration team on 01473 626298 or visit https://www.oftec.org/technicians/areas-of-registration/trustmark-registration
You can also read more about TrustMark on page 9.
Here’s the small print.
All extensions of registration carry additional fees and an up-front on-boarding inspection or audit before certification. Certification has to be maintained through paying the annual fee and undertaking an annual inspection or audit to ensure you still meet the particular scheme requirements.
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