Consumer Energy Solutions Administration – Customer Guide

Consumer Energy Solutions Limited, a UK-based home energy efficiency installer that operated under government-backed schemes including ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, has entered administration. The company ceased trading on 9 January 2026, leaving customers with incomplete installations, unresolved complaints, and questions about warranties and refunds.

Joint administrators James Saunders and Michael Lennon of KR8 Advisory Limited have taken control of the company. The official notice on the company’s website states that CES can no longer carry out any remedial works, repairs, or progress existing complaints. Customers with installation issues are being directed to TrustMark, the government-endorsed quality scheme, as the primary point of contact for workmanship disputes.

The collapse affects consumers who had insulation, heating, or other energy efficiency work carried out under schemes such as ECO Flex, often arranged through local authorities including Swansea Council. The administrators have confirmed that the administration does not extend to other companies within the City Energy Group.

What is the current status of Consumer Energy Solutions Limited?

Key insights about the administration

• Consumer Energy Solutions Limited is now under administration, meaning control of the company has passed to insolvency practitioners.
• If you had installations carried out by CES, your immediate point of contact for workmanship issues is TrustMark (0333 555 1234).
• The joint administrators (James Saunders and Michael Lennon of Kr8 Advisory) are managing the company’s affairs—claims for refunds must be directed to them.
• Swansea Council has issued specific advice for customers of the ECO Flex scheme connected to City Energy Network and CES.
• Companies House lists the company as incorporated on 18 January 2016, with its registered address now c/o Kr8 Advisory Limited in Manchester.
• The administration does not affect other companies within the City Energy Group, according to the administrators.

Key facts about Consumer Energy Solutions Limited

What should I do if I had work done by Consumer Energy Solutions?

If you had insulation, heating, or other energy efficiency work carried out by Consumer Energy Solutions, the first step is to assess the current state of the installation. Since the company has ceased trading and cannot complete any further work, you will need to pursue separate routes for different types of issues.

Contact TrustMark for workmanship issues

TrustMark, the only government-endorsed quality scheme for home improvements, has set up a dedicated support page for CES customers. If your installation has defects, incomplete work, or other quality concerns, call TrustMark on 0333 555 1234 or email disputes@trustmark.org.uk. TrustMark can mediate disputes and help resolve workmanship issues, but it does not handle financial refunds.

Claims for refunds must go to the administrators

If you paid for work that was not completed, or if you believe you are owed money by CES, you must contact the joint administrators. Email CES@kr8.co.uk to register as a creditor. Be aware that unsecured creditors are unlikely to recover the full amount owed, and the process may take several months.

Check your warranty status

Warranties provided by CES are likely void or paused during administration. For installations covered by ECO4 or GBIS scheme protections, there may be alternative routes to resolve defects. Contact TrustMark to check whether your installation falls under a scheme that provides additional consumer safeguards.

Contact your local authority if you used ECO Flex

Consumers who obtained installations through the ECO Flex scheme via Swansea Council or another local authority should check the council’s website for specific advice. Swansea Council has published a dedicated consumer advice page for customers of City Energy Network and CES.

How do I contact the administrators of Consumer Energy Solutions?

The joint administrators, James Saunders and Michael Lennon, are based at KR8 Advisory Limited. Their contact details are linked to the administration process, and all communications regarding claims or creditor queries should be directed through the official channels.

Administrator contact details

• Email for creditor claims: CES@kr8.co.uk
• Administrator firm: KR8 Advisory Limited
• Registered office (for correspondence): C/O Kr8 Advisory Limited, The Lexicon, 10-12 Mount Street, Manchester, M2 5NT

What to include in your claim

When contacting the administrators, provide your full name, address, contract reference number, a description of the work carried out or not completed, the amount paid, and any supporting documents such as invoices, bank statements, and photographs. The administrators will assess your claim as part of the formal insolvency process.

TrustMark as a first point of contact

For installation-related issues rather than financial claims, TrustMark remains the recommended first contact. The administrators are focused on managing the company’s assets and liabilities, not on resolving individual workmanship complaints. TrustMark can be reached on 0333 555 1234.

Who owned Consumer Energy Solutions and what led to its administration?

Consumer Energy Solutions Limited was incorporated on 18 January 2016. The company operated as an installation contractor in the home energy efficiency sector, particularly under government schemes such as ECO4, the Great British Insulation Scheme, and local-authority-led ECO Flex programmes.

Connection to City Energy Group

CES was part of the City Energy Group, a network of companies involved in energy efficiency installations. The administrators have explicitly stated that the administration of CES does not involve any other companies within the City Energy Group. This means that other entities under the group continue to trade independently.

What led to the administration

The precise reasons for the administration have not been publicly detailed by the directors or the administrators. However, the company’s sudden cessation of trading and the appointment of insolvency practitioners on 9 January 2026 suggest financial distress. Consumer complaints about installation quality and workmanship had been surfacing in 2023 and 2024, which may have contributed to the company’s difficulties.

Role of Swansea Council and ECO Flex

Swansea Council worked with City Energy Network and CES under the ECO Flex scheme, which allows local authorities to set flexible eligibility criteria for energy efficiency improvements. The council has since published advice for affected consumers, directing them to TrustMark for installation issues and to the administrators for financial claims.

Are there any complaints or negative reviews about Consumer Energy Solutions?

Consumer complaints about CES had been circulating prior to the administration, with issues ranging from incomplete installations to poor workmanship. The administration notice itself confirms that the company can no longer progress or resolve any existing complaints, which effectively shuts down its customer service channels.

Media and consumer watchdog attention

The company’s practices attracted scrutiny from consumer media. Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, has discussed CES in the context of broader warnings about energy scheme pitfalls, although no direct, specific comment from Lewis on CES alone is confirmed in the available records. BBC Wales also investigated the company’s practices, contributing to public awareness and likely accelerating the administration process.

What the administration means for complainants

Any complaints that were lodged with CES before 9 January 2026 are now effectively frozen. Consumers who had open complaints must redirect them to TrustMark if they relate to installation quality, or to the administrators if they involve financial loss. The volume of complaints and the total number of affected consumers have not been disclosed.

What is the ECO Flex scheme and how does it relate to Consumer Energy Solutions?

ECO Flex is a flexible eligibility mechanism within the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. It allows local authorities to set their own criteria for households that may benefit from energy efficiency improvements, even if they do not meet the standard ECO criteria. Swansea Council was one of the local authorities that used ECO Flex in partnership with City Energy Network and CES.

How CES participated in ECO Flex

CES acted as an installation contractor for ECO Flex projects arranged through local authorities. This meant that households referred through the scheme received insulation, heating upgrades, or other improvements funded partly by energy companies under the ECO obligation. The administration now leaves these households without a contractor to complete or rectify work.

Swansea Council’s response

Swansea Council published a dedicated ECO Flex consumer advice page on 17 February 2026, directing affected households to TrustMark and the administrators. The council’s involvement highlights the importance of local authorities in helping consumers navigate the fallout when a scheme contractor fails.

Broader implications for ECO4 and GBIS consumers

TrustMark’s support page explicitly references ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, indicating that CES installations were funded under these national programmes as well. Consumers whose work was funded through these schemes may have additional protections under the scheme rules, including the possibility of alternative installer arrangements.

What is the timeline of Consumer Energy Solutions’ decline and administration?

1. January 2016 — Consumer Energy Solutions Limited is incorporated (Companies House).
2. 2023–2024 — The company operates as an installation contractor for City Energy Network and other energy scheme providers. Consumer complaints about installation quality begin to surface.
3. 9 January 2026 — The company enters administration. James Saunders and Michael Lennon of KR8 Advisory Limited are appointed joint administrators. CES ceases trading with immediate effect.
4. February 2026 — Swansea Council publishes ECO Flex consumer advice page regarding the CES administration. TrustMark sets up a dedicated consumer support page for CES customers.
5. Ongoing — Administrators manage the company’s assets and liabilities. Consumers seeking refunds must register as creditors. TrustMark handles installation-related complaints.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about the administration?

Why does the collapse of Consumer Energy Solutions matter for consumers?

The failure of a major installation contractor affects hundreds of consumers who may have paid deposits, have incomplete work, or rely on warranties. Understanding the administration process and knowing who to contact is critical to protecting consumer rights. The case also highlights the risks associated with grant-funded energy efficiency schemes when the contractor fails mid-project.

TrustMark’s role as the government-endorsed quality scheme is particularly important here. Consumers who had work done by CES can use TrustMark to escalate workmanship issues, but TrustMark does not handle financial refunds. Those seeking refunds must go through the formal administration process as unsecured creditors, which offers no guarantee of recovery.

For consumers who obtained installations through ECO Flex, ECO4, or the Great British Insulation Scheme, there may be additional protections under the scheme rules. Contacting the relevant scheme administrator or local authority can clarify whether alternative arrangements are available. The UK Government guidance on company administration explains the legal process in detail.

Where can consumers find official information and verified sources?

Several authoritative sources provide official information about the administration and consumer support options. These are the primary resources for affected customers.

“Please note that James Saunders and Michael Lennon of KR8 Advisory Limited were appointed as Joint Administrators of Consumer Energy Solutions Limited on 9 January 2026. The Company has ceased trading with immediate effect. The Company is unable to complete any further work for customers.”

— Consumer Energy Solutions official website (administrator notice)

“Consumer Energy Solutions (CES) Has Entered Administration. If you had work carried out by CES, you should be aware of the administration. If you have issues with an installation, contact TrustMark.”

— TrustMark consumer support page

“It should be noted that the Administration of the Company does not involve any other companies in the City Energy Group.”

— CES administration notice

• Companies House record: Consumer Energy Solutions Limited – Companies House — Official company register showing status “In Administration”
• TrustMark support page: TrustMark Support for Consumer Energy Solutions customers — Consumer helpline and dispute resolution
• Swansea Council advice: Swansea Council ECO Flex Advice — Local authority guidance for scheme consumers
• Citizens Advice: Citizens Advice – Consumer Rights — General consumer rights guidance

What should consumers take away from this situation?

Consumers affected by the Consumer Energy Solutions administration should act promptly. Contact TrustMark for any installation-related issues, and email the administrators at CES@kr8.co.uk to register financial claims. Retain all documentation, including contracts, payment records, and photographs. Monitor Companies House for updates on the administration process, and consider seeking independent legal or financial advice if significant sums are involved. The Coopers Hardware Store Chain Closures – 87-Year Legacy Ends and DWP Cost of Living Boost 2025 – £420 UC Increase Explained provide broader context on business closures and consumer financial support.

Frequently asked questions about Consumer Energy Solutions administration