Name: Solarcrest
Rating: 4.85

“This company seemed to have all their ducks in a row. The sales pitch is very convincing. My worries about spray foam insulation eased because I was assured they did it correctly and were certified and weren't some cowboy installer that give the industry a bad name. I believed them. They have a bunch of accreditations on their website and email footers. I really thought I had found a company that would do a great job and would met industry requirements and in turn would mean not having problems with insurance or mortgaging. They bigged themselves up to be national and they had different 'staff' and technical people signing off emails as if they were Solarcrest when actually they were all outsourced. Firstly you get bamboozled with reams of information - lots and lots of technical stuff that may or may not be relevant to an individual homeowner doing a renovation - in any case it was too much and did not highlight in any particular order what was important. I thought I had the salient points but both me and my builder (who had only worked with conventional insulation) missed certain things that then caused changes and last minute panics to accommodate and created a lot of friction between my builder (whom I had to try and keep sweet and on board) and Solarcrest. Fast forward to post installation of the MVHR and spray foam insulation, and we were happy at first, but then it got cold and neighbours started lighting fires and our home was filling with smoke. Long story short, the intake was placed between two chimneys and the soil stack, hemmed in on 3 sides with a few meters spacing from both chimneys and barely a metre from the soil stack, but Solarcrest decided to put all the blame on the neighbours cowl, despite us ruling that out as the main problem and were quite happy to sign off on this and refused to make good on the issue with the intake. They didn't even do a site survey before commencing, or they would have seen these problems. Instead they sent in a third party installer who followed their plans, obviously without question. Then we had the issue of the spray foam insulation. Although the work was probably done properly and all the 'technical gumph' in their many documents makes it all seem totally sound and proper, Solarcrest are NOT ACTUALLY ACCREDITED!! Their insulation has not been accepted by my bank. Again, this was installed by a third party installer and between them they don't meet the requirements. They are not Trustmark registered for Foam despite this logo being on their paperwork. (Their Trustmark accreditation was actually for Aircon which was the closest segment to MVHR installation but they don't actually install aircon!). They don't meet the PAS2030 standard and thus don't meet lender guidance. I questioned the mortgaging issues with their sales guy before I signed up and he said it would be installed properly and this was only a problem with cowboy installers - I believed him - but Solarcrest were actually aware of this issue as became evident in a document they sent to us after installation when we started having trouble re-mortgaging, they knew that any spray foam installation, and thus their installation could be turned down and were going on about the industry lobbying the lenders, etc. But that doesn't help us now.. I want to prevent anyone else from making the same mistake with this review. Do not use these guys, they don't have the right accreditation and are quite happy to sign off and issue certification for building control on works that are well below par, perhaps even dangerous (MVHR Installation and mis-placement of intake). Find an installer who has the PAS 2030 Trustmark accreditation for spray foam insulation. I thought I'd done my research but it goes to show, all the logos in the world evidently don't mean anything.”

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Posted 3 years ago

Dear Coleen, we're sorry to hear you are struggling to refinance your property with Barclays because of their (new) 'no spray foam' policy. It's frustrating given there is no actual problem with your insulation. We've shown through modelling there are no interstitial condensation risks, we've used NVQ qualified, manufacturer approved installers, BBA/Kiwa certified products, and we've issued product and workmanship guarantees. You imply the reason you can't re-finance is because we don't have PAS2030 accreditation (yet), however this is an optional accreditation for those seeking government funding, it's not a legal requirement so there's no valid reason your lender should withhold funding. We've offered to speak to their surveyor directly to address their concerns, but if you'd rather we didn't we can only suggest you try a more reasonable lender. Nationwide for instance. Regarding your smoke ingress comment, rather than blaming the ventilation system we know is working perfectly well and in compliance with the regulations, I recommend you keep pressure on your neighbour to have their defective flue fixed. As we have said already, they are currently burning solid fuel in an open flue that has a gas vent instead of a chimney pot, and probably no proper flue liner either. Besides being a fire hazard connected to your property, this restriction is seriously affecting the draw from the flue, and that is causing smoke to roll down the roof instead of being lifted up and away. It's preventing their chimney from being professionally swept too, so it's likely there is a heavy build up of soot which adds to the risk. We have offered to reassess the situation when this dangerous flue has been repaired. Until then, we will endeavour to train our surveyors to recognise the difference between an artificial chimney pot and a real chimney pot. Good luck with the finance, it should be a temporary issue as fresh guidance is about to be issued to surveyors and lenders.

Posted 3 years ago

“I have had an MVHR and spray foam insulation in my property since August 2016. To echo the reviews of other satisfied customers I am delighted with the service and installation that the Solarcrest team provided. I am also delighted with the impact on my property both in terms of thermal efficiency ie cost but also comfort both in terms of warmth but also simply knowing that the air in my home is renewed every couple of hours without huge extra cost. At this point I will depart from issues of customer service, price, delivery and returns and refunds to other important matters which may affect future customers choices. Two issues are really bugging me. The first concerns MVHR. I have no doubt that every home in the U.K. should have one and yet there is no pressure from Government or any body else to achieve this either for new properties or retrofit into older properties. (Indeed if you install an MVHR you will be penalised in your EPC but more on that later). Yet I can sit in my home with my MVHR sure and certain that I am breathing fresh filtered air; I am not wasting energy and there is no risk of dangerous mould or damp anywhere in my property. Unfortunately as older properties are very sensibly rendered draughtproof to minimise energy consumption and cost they also become prey to damp issues because fresh air cannot get in and moist air from bathrooms and kitchens (and lack of dpc in some properties) cannot get out. Opening windows defeats totally the investment in eliminating cold draughts. Extraction fans in kitchens and bathrooms without also allowing air in will not work. Extraction fans in kitchens and bathrooms which also allow air in (sometimes with heat exchange) cannot be efficient. Whatever arguments may be used to convince you against MVHR if you can afford it have it and you will never regret it. Now back to the issue with MVHR and the EPC. If you install an MVHR you receive negative points in calculating the EPC value. This was in 2022 sufficient to take a C property down to a D. There was supposed to be a rethink towards the end of 2022 but I have not had time to research the outcome of this. Despite this drawback the MVHR is the right solution and the EPC rules will change. After all the decision to have fresh air and no mould in your home or mine has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with energy efficiency and therefore nothing whatsoever to do with an Energy Performance Certificate. Onto the second issue bugging me:- spray foam insulation. I can echo what Elliot says in his section on this topic. This type of insulation has been used in Canada since 1980 and before. Furthermore it has been used to provide insulation in mobile homes as well as lots of other buildings in temperatures down to -30 degrees centigrade successfully for 40 years. No damp problems. Yes there are two types of spray foam as described on this web site. Only one provides insulation. Yes there are cowboys about buyer beware. If you can afford it and want it spray foam insulation is an excellent investment. So why in December 2021 did the RPSA issue advice to their surveyors to tell property sellers to rip out the spray foam insulation or they will not be able to sell their homes to buyers who need a mortgage? The decision by the RPSA has been all over the media. But the RPSA is not the only Surveyors Association. What does the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors think on this issue? Or any of the others? So the RPSA was persuaded (by the Government amongst others) to withdraw their advice in October 2022 and a ‘group’ are examining evidence prior to issuing replacement guidance for surveyors in the Spring of 2023. Hopefully all surveyors. So far so interesting or indeed disturbing for those about to sell their home with spray foam roof insulation or remortgage in these tough times. And not forgetting the poor souls out of pocket because of a preposterous rule change. But what really bugs me about this sorry affair is what surveyors actually do when they survey a house and how ridiculous the advice postured by the RPSA actually is. In the good old days (and I really am old) the surveyor never went in the roof. (I have no idea which association of surveyors that comment refers to - as long as they had letters after their name I cared not about the letters or the order in which they appeared). Rather he assessed the condition of the roof from the outside. In my survey for my property in 2016 which was carried out by a member of the RICS it clearly states that during the survey the surveyor may only enter the roof space if it is less than 3 metres high and he will only put his head in. No mention of shoulders. The sentence repeated twice in my survey report reads as follows ‘The surveyor may inspect the roof space from the access hatch but will not go into the roof space itself.‘ No it does not say will it says the surveyor may inspect the roof space. I wonder what the RPSA survey reports require of the RPSA surveyors in respect of the roof space? Do they scramble over wooden rafters in expensive leather shoes and smart suits? Methinks not. So how is our smartly suited surveyor going to spot damp rafters by sticking his head and a light source through the access hatch to the loft? Well he isn’t - not an issue for a long debate either. Yet in their recommendation to the surveyors in respect of a roof with spray foam insulation they were instructed to tell the homeowner that the spray foam insulation caused all kinds of problems; should not be there at all; and if they wanted to sell their home they would need to rip it out. When challenged the surveyors were instructed to tell the homeowner that because they could not see the rafters they would have to have a survey costing several hundred pounds to check for damp in the rafters because they could not see the rafters and because the survey might be inconclusive it would be better to rip out the insulation. But in reality no surveyor has ever had to check rafters for damp. Remember it only says they may inspect the roof space. And the myriad of problems supposedly caused by spray foam insulation is at best misinformation and in any case completely wrong. I am personally speechless with anger that the supposed experts leading the RPSA would issue such ridiculous instructions. Further as part of the review the leaders of the RPSA should apologise to all homeowners and reimburse the people who are now out of pocket, preferably from the wage packets of those who wrote and approved the erroneous instructions before resigning. Author Norman Hiscock 17 February 2023”

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Posted 3 years ago

“So amazingly helpful and trust worthy. Pleasure to have them looking after us.”

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Posted 3 years ago

Thanks Ben you're very kind

Posted 3 years ago

“Solarcrest installed a MVHR system in our house together with foam insulation in the roof. The service has been faultless from installation and the servicing over the last 4 years. All the staff are very professional and we would highly recommend.”

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Posted 3 years ago

Thanks Trevor, we're glad you're happy with the package

Posted 3 years ago

“Solarcrest is the perfect solution for anyone looking to improve the air quality in their home and install MVHR units. Solarcrest has designed a working solution for my home: location of the units, room-by-room ventilation, giving special care to minimizing the noise impact throughout the house. After the system was commissioned, they remained a very reliable partner, answering all our questions on day to day, monitoring remotely the devices and making sure their thermal efficiency was at an appropriate level. I recommend them 100% for all MVHR installations!”

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Posted 3 years ago

“● Extremely experienced staff (save the developer/client money) ●Might be a little more expensive than other companies but again they will save you money in overall ... this is because they know what they're talking about and most companies in this line of work are playing at it ! ● Please don't do the same as me and initially go for the cheaper quote.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“The people at Solarcrest have been friendly and flexible, responding pro-actively to help us achieve our project objectives”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Been dealing with solarcrest for approx 2 years now, Excellent service, would highly recommend”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Excellent service on an excellent product”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Professional and efficient service.”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Very good communication all round happy thanks”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Very happy”

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Posted 3 years ago

“Excellent customer service and fast delivery. Highly recommended.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“I built two detached ECO houses.We fitted MVHR in both dwelling. I had the system priced up by a number of companies. Solarcrest were the most expensive by around 20% (the extra expense due to the superior design service provided) o save money I decided to use one of the other firms (who I discovered didn't really know what they were doing) Solarcrest helped me sort out the mess that the other business had created. To cut a long story short I wish I'd used Solar Crest from the onset. My advice is pay the extra cost because they know what they're talking about! Mark. A house developer, project manager and architectural designer based in Holmfirth.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Solarcrest have designed and installed passivhaus compliant MVHR systems for a 22no social housing new build development. From the initial design, install and commissioning the team worked professionally, to a strict programme of works and ensured that high levels of quality were maintained in each and every aspect. Its clear that Eliot and the entire team have a passion and drive to deliver, backed up with a technical and practical approach needed to design and install with confidence passivehaus compliant MVHR. Thanks to the entire Solarcrest team and we look forward to many more projects together.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Thanks you so much James, amazing after care, went out his way to help us resolve our connections issues, he’s an asset to the company, spent 3 to 4 days with us in the evening which makes it 5 ⭐️ as I’m working in the day. Thanks Kathy for send out new TP link. Great team work, Highly recommend”

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Posted 4 years ago

“The staff are very helpful, tidy in their work and friendly Very professional and knowledgeable Would highly recommend”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Disappointing experience with Solarcrest due to: - material cost increases between initial quote and design stage; and - significant design impacts (mainly boxing below ceiling) to install MVHR system which was unexpected Recommend considering the above before handing over £500 for design.”

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Posted 5 years ago

Dear James, thank you for your feedback. If nothing else, it shows that all our feedback is genuine. If I may, I do feel it's a little unfair to judge a service you chose not to go ahead with for reasons outside our control. You accepted our 'guide price' for what was described as a new build project, subject to design and survey. During the design process it became apparent that yours was more of a retrofit to a period property over four floors, with solid timber joists, awkward steels, no dedicated or obvious riser locations, and practically no void spaces to accommodate ducting. You also insisted our plant had to be installed below ground in your utility some considerable distance from atmosphere, rather in the optimal boot room location proposed by our designer. Overcoming these significant design constraints required additional materials, and additional labour, as well as some boxing in by your builder. If I understand correctly it was the boxing-in you were opposed to as much as the 15% increase in cost, which, having studied the third revision of your design, still doesn't seem enough. Despite your negative review, we do wish you well with your project and as a gesture of goodwill, we won't be pursuing the balance of the design fee you agreed to pay.

Posted 4 years ago

“Knowledgable and professional organisation. I have had the pleasure of speaking to quite a few employees within Solarcrest following purchase of the heat recovery system, I could not recommend Solarcrest highly enough.”

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