Calor Calls for Installers to Discuss Carbon Monoxide Safety with Homeowners

Leading LPG supplier Calor is calling for installers to help homeowners become more carbon monoxide aware by ensuring that when installing or repairing a gas appliance, they speak to the customer about the importance of regular appliance servicing and how to look for tell-tale signs of potential carbon monoxide being produced.

Recent news stories about carbon monoxide have triggered a rise in public awareness of the ‘silent killer’, but many homeowners are still unaware of the facts and how to spot the tell-tale signs that suggest carbon monoxide is present. Gas stoves, fires, heating boilers and gas-powered water heaters, paraffin heaters and solid fuel powered water heaters can all potentially emit carbon monoxide, which is caused by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as gas (mains or LPG), coal, oil, coke and wood.

As the danger of carbon monoxide is heightened when these appliances are not checked and serviced regularly, Calor believes that installers can put their customers’ minds at rest and provide a real value-added service by offering advice on the importance of annual servicing and how to detect carbon monoxide. This will also generate additional business for the installer, as customers will be encouraged to have regular appliance checks.

Calor recommends that installers give homeowners a checklist of things to be aware of in-between service visits. These could include ensuring that air vents, chimneys and flues are obstruction free; watching out for yellow or brown staining around the appliance or increased condensation inside windows; and to monitor pilot lights which go out frequently or produce yellow rather than blue flames. Installers could also explain the symptoms which people might experience if exposed to carbon monoxide and the benefits of fitting a carbon monoxide detector; ensuring customers know these should be compliant with British Standard BS 7860 or European Standard EN 50291.

Rachel Hodge, marketing manager at Calor, said: “The number of CO related incidents each year could be significantly reduced if homeowners were more educated about the dangers of this gas and knew how to reduce the risk of them happening. Installers play a key role in this and by providing a value-added service, they can really demonstrate their expertise, which is key to securing repeat business and recommendations.”

Calor supports proactive installers with a bonus scheme where they can earn £100 for every lead that converts to a new Calor customer, as well as a further end-of-year bonus based on the number of successful leads gained throughout the year. Any installers that would like to join the bonus scheme should call the company on 0800 121 4461, to talk through a simple registration process. Alternatively visit calor.co.uk.

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Issued on behalf of Calor by Bright, 10 St Catherine’s Court, Herbert Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3QE For further information please contact Annette Massam or Ruth Barrows at Bright on Tel: +44 (0) 121 711 5000 Fax: +44 (0) 121 711 5001 or Email: annette@bright-consultancy.co.uk.

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