RESIDENTS across Essex are being warned about the risks of employing technicians to carry out heating repairs who are not qualified.

Using a heating engineer who does not have the correct professional training could result in substandard and dangerous work which homeowners may find difficult to claim on their insurance.

For owners of oil and gas central heating, you must check if a technician is OFTEC registered for work with oil appliances and GasSafe registered for gas systems before they commence work.

Households can search online for a local OFTEC or GasSafe registered technician. It is also recommended that homeowners check a technician’s ID badge when they arrive to confirm it has the correct date and details.

For more information and to find a local OFTEC or Gas Safe technician visit www.oftec.org.uk or www.gassaferegister.co.uk.