It may be high summer, but energy firm Scottish Hydro Electric is helping Aberdonians prepare for winter by launching its new gas boiler maintenance and protection service in Aberdeen this week.

 

Scottish Hydro Electric Home Services, the maintenance and insurance arm of Perth-based Scottish Hydro Electric, has already successfully rolled out the Shield service in 13 areas across the UK this year, and the company is looking to secure in excess of 10,000 new customers.

 

Shield has been designed to offer customers not only a lower rate, but an unrivalled package that includes an annual inspection, full breakdown and emergency cover and a 24-hour, 365-day manned customer helpline as well as cover for the entire gas central heating system, including the boiler, pipe work, radiators, cylinders and tanks.

 

Already over 70 new jobs have been created and as Stephen Forbes, Energy Service Manager at Scottish Hydro Electric explains, this is expected to rise as the business continues to expand.

 

"Over the years, we have achieved an unrivalled reputation for providing high quality customer service and a safety record that we are very proud of. With Shield, we are bringing our expertise into a new market with an offering to householders that will beat our competitors.

 

"We have now established a dedicated 24-hour call centre in Scotland, a UK sales force and a team of highly professional Corgi-registered engineers in Aberdeen and we fully expect our staffing levels to more than double as we grow our market share in the UK"

 

With the Health and Safety Executive recently reporting that some 20 people are killed in the UK every year due to poorly or inadequately serviced gas boilers, Scottish Hydro Electric believes it is critical that household gas boilers are regularly and properly serviced by qualified engineers.

 

Stephen Forbes continued: "Our aim is to extend a safe and high quality service to Aberdeen that will not only attract customers with existing policies, but also reach the large part of the market that does not have any form of boiler servicing in place at all.

 

" We have developed a market-leading offering that promotes greater piece of mind thanks to the promise of an annual service that is not merely an inspection but a full MOT of the household's gas boiler system and crucially, is also kinder on the pocket. We are confident that this winning combination will put Shield head and shoulders above the competition."

 

Shield is available to householders in the Aberdeen area, regardless of their current energy supplier. Shield protection costs £15.50 per month and customers signing up before the end of September will get their first month free. For more information, call Scottish Hydro Electric Home Services on 0845 0786 722.

 

-ENDS-

 

For further information, please contact Geraldine Connors or Linda Bruce at Platform PR on 0131 226 300 or the press office at Scottish Hydro Electric on 0870 900 0410.