- Domestic energy assessor
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Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA)
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as part of a Home Information Pack (HIP) whenever a domestic property is built or put onto the market in England and Wales (a similar requirement for homes that are to be let will follow next year[as of?]). Only accredited and suitably qualified DEAs (and existing Home Inspectors) will be allowed to carry out the Energy Assessment of the 1 million plus homes which come to the market each year–so the potential is enormous.
DEAs will collect data on the dimensions, construction, heating and hot water provision of the property,and enter the information into an approved software programme. This, in turn, will produce the EPC. The first part of the certificate is a benchmarked measure of the home’s energy performance on a scale A to G, where A is very efficient and G is at the other end of the spectrum.
The second part of the EPC is cost effective recommendations for improving the energy performance of the home, information on renewable energy and recommendations on energy efficient behavior. The DEA will have to interpret whether these are practical for his/her client.
The importance of the role of the DEA
Domestic Energy Assessors will be commissioned by householders or their agents to visit homes, initially those that are about to come onto the market. The owners will be obliged to make EPCs and advisory reports available to buyers, and later to tenants. In this way, DEAs will be a key part of helping homebuyers, homeowners and tenants contribute to the “green agenda”. Research confirms that householders want to know about the energy efficiency of their homes, and about how they can make improvements–just what the DEAs and the EPCs will provide.
Domestic Energy Assessors - In Practice'
What Skills and Knowledge are needed?
These are defined in the National Occupational Standards (NOS). The NOS are a specification of both the technical knowledge and the skills required to be a competent DEA They include a requirement to understand the legal background to the role, to possess relevant interpersonal skills and make accurate judgments consistently, aided by the software, on the recommendations for cost effective improvement measures. They may be downloaded free of charge from the Asset Skills Energy Assessors website .
Where to obtain training to achieve a qualification?
DEA qualifications will be provided by three awarding bodies–the Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE), City and Guilds and the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA). Each will include a multiple choice examination and detailed assessment of not less than five EPCs. Many providers in both the public (usually Further Education Colleges) and private sector are offering or planning to offer training to become a DEA. Professional bodies and private providers will also do the same, whilst larger companies will almost certainly provide the learning in-house. Asset Skills, awarding bodies and professional associations can all give advice about how to locate training relevant to your needs and where you live. The amount of training you require will depend on your current level of skills and knowledge–obviously much less for an experienced practitioner than someone entering the world of Energy Assessment and buildings for the first time. Some funding support may be available in certain circumstances–approach your local or regional Learning and Skills Council (LSC) or in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government.
What happens after qualification?
In order to practise, DEAs will need to join an accreditation body. This will entail a check that the individual is fit and proper and a commitment to maintaining appropriate Professional Indemnity, updating your skills and knowledge regularly (CPD), participating in the accrediting body’s quality assurance scheme, and abiding by their advice and guidance.
References
Categories:- Energy in the United Kingdom
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