What will the energy assessment involve?
Who can undertake a Domestic Energy Assessment?
A Domestic Energy Assessment of your home will involve both an internal & external inspection of the property. For the purposes of obtaining an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), they can only be undertaken by a fully accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or Home Inspector (I will refer to both, as a DEA).
It is advisable (for your 'own peace of mind' to ask the DEA to bring along proof of their accreditation when booking the appointment.
Note: All Wessex Energy Assessors Limited personnel are fully qualified & Accredited DEA's & will as part of their introduction process show the property owner, designated representative or agent, their personal, 'valid', certification documentation together with their Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) declaration certificate.
You could also try asking for their accreditation number over the phone and check its authenticity using the Government's central register of accredited Domestic Energy Assessors, before they even set-foot near your front door.
As part of a DEA's accreditation, a check on their Criminal Record is made with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) - It might be additionally comforting to know that the check (at the time of writing), is more comprehensive than those undertaken for such professions as, Gas Inspectors, for instance.
Energy Performance Survey
When the DEA arrives, they will need to inspect, take a selection of photographic evidence & make note of the following property details:
• Introduce themselves to the property owner, their designated representative or agent on arrival;
• The year of property construction
• Walls & roof construction
• Signs of cavity wall insulation
• Energy saving 'green' devices e.g. solar panels, photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines etc...
• Number of double glazed windows & when installed
• Number of open or closed fireplaces
• Make & model of boiler, the type of flue & fuel used
• Number of low energy light-bulbs
• Type of heating system used and it's controls (wall thermostat etc...)
• Any 'secondary' heating e.g. gas/electric/solid fuel/LPG heaters/fires,
• Loft Access (head & shoulders only) for evidence of any roof insulation, position & subsequent thickness
• If applicable, measure the size of any hot water cylinder, the thickness of the hot water cylinder jacket or foam & position of any hot water cylinder thermostat (noting it's current setting)
• Check for excessive window area in larger houses and take measurements of conservatories & extensions
• Note the number of habitable rooms that are heated
• Measure the internal or external areas of the home
• Sketch & make accurate site notes relating to home & room layout
Warning - Be prepared for political correctness!
Please Note that following the initial Risk Assessment (DEA requirement), the visiting DEA reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the appointment if they believe there will be a danger to themselves, others, or your property. Thus pets & children (especially young ones) should be supervised by an adult at all times & for the duration of the survey. Failure to comply may result in the DEA abandoning the survey & the property owner then may become liable for any costs incurred by the DEA.
In this ever increasingly 'politically correct' country we live in, some of the restrictions preventing a 'safe' energy assessment might seem ridiculous. It's as well to understand however that the DEA is bound by both their accreditation's rules of conduct, as well as their various insurance requirements.
Needless to say, if in doubt, ask your DEA when making the appointment.
A key component of the HIP is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which will rate the home's energy efficiency, using graphs like those on fridges and washing machines.
Let Wessex Energy Assessors Limited take away the hardship & any stress in obtaining your HIP/EPC solution - contact us now for a highly competitive price for your individual & personal requirements. Get in touch with us now... |
