An old man went without hot water for a year due to a failed program.

Raymond, an 80-year-old man from Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire, has been struggling to keep his home warm for the past year. After signing up for the government-funded ECO4 scheme, which aims to improve energy efficiency in homes, he was hopeful that his home would finally be comfortable and warm. However, the contractors hired to do the work left his house in an "unlivable" state, leaving him without hot water and in freezing conditions.

To cope with the cold nights, Raymond has resorted to using an electric blanket and going to bed early. He also relies on an electric shower and kettle for hot water. Despite reaching out to various authorities for help, including the government, Ofgem, Citizens' Advice, and Herefordshire Council, Raymond has been met with no assistance.

Raymond, a retired lorry driver, explains that he was eligible for government funding to improve his home's energy efficiency and decided to take advantage of it. He researched and found a certified and qualified company in Birmingham to do the work. They conducted surveys and informed him that he could have insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps installed. However, the work was only started in May, and after some initial progress, it was left half done.

The contractors removed the radiators from the walls to install insulation but never put them back. The agreed-upon work, which included roof solar panels, heat pumps, a boiler unit, and new radiators, was never completed. The only heat source in Raymond's house is an old wood-burning stove and the electric blanket.

Despite his efforts to contact the company and get the work finished, he was met with excuses and delays. Eventually, the company stopped responding to his calls and even blocked his number. Raymond's family also tried to intervene, but they were met with the same treatment.

Frustrated and desperate, Raymond tried to find another company to finish the work, but they all claimed that the funding for his house had already been spent. He reached out to various authorities, but he was continuously sent in circles with no resolution.

Raymond doesn't want anyone else to go through the same ordeal as him. He hopes that his story will bring attention to the issue and prevent others from facing a similar situation. TrustMark, the organization that certifies contractors for the scheme, claims that all the agreed-upon work was completed, but Raymond strongly denies this.

After months of frustration, a London-based company has finally agreed to take on the work at Raymond's rented property. However, he remains skeptical and will only believe it when he sees it. He points out that this new company also claims that he is eligible for the government funding, proving that the previous company's excuse of the funding running out was false.

The company responsible for the initial work, iEnergy, claims that the funding ran out and they were unable to finish the work. Their director, Naser Ali, apologizes for the situation but explains that they are not installers and rely on third parties to do the work. He also mentions that Raymond's boiler was already faulty, causing further complications.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero urges Raymond to contact TrustMark for a resolution, emphasizing the importance of having the work done by a certified and registered installer. They also assure that any issues with the installation will be promptly and properly addressed.

In the end, Raymond's story highlights the importance of proper regulation and accountability in government-funded schemes. It also serves as a cautionary tale for others looking to improve their homes through such programs.

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