| GENERAL Q&A |
| Q: |
Why do we need to energy rate properties? |
| A: |
Climate change is becoming an increasing concern, both in the UK and worldwide.
Levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, one of the main causes of climate change, have risen by more than a third since the industrial revolution and are now rising faster than ever before. This has led to rising temperatures and some quite significant environmental changes.
Ice caps retreating
Artic sea ice has thinned by 40%
Global mean sea level rising an average 1-2mm a year
Global snow cover decreased by 10% since 1960's
'El Nino' events more frequent & intense
Increased use of Thames Barrier from once every 2 yrs to 6 times per year over past 5 yrs
Weather related economic losses increased 10 fold over last 40 years
(Source: Governments 'Energy White Paper' Feb. 2003)
In light of these concerns, the Government has committed to a target of a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
In terms of CO2 emissions, buildings are the biggest culprit in the UK, with domestic homes contributing more greenhouse gases than other buildings. Up to a third of all the CO2 emissions form the UK are from the domestic home!
The Government seeks to change attitudes by raising awareness; by giving home owners consistent information on how energy efficient their properties are the Government's aim is to stimulate improvement in thermal performance of the housing stock in the UK.
Energy Ratings provide a measure of the fuel cost and CO2 emissions of a property, similar to the miles-per-gallon and exhaust emission figures published for new cars.
Everyone wins with energy conservation; the householder spends less on fuel, the Government meets its targets and scarce resources are conserved. There is considerable scope for improvement.
More than 75% of cavity walls in existing dwellings remain un-insulated, more than 60% of loft spaces have less than 100mm of loft insulation and most heating systems are poorly controlled with low efficiency.
Improvements in thermal performance are excellent investments for the home owner:
A typical 1960's house could have its fuel bills reduced by £200 per year for an expenditure of about £500 on additional insulation - an effective rate of return of 40% - tax free and inflation proof. |
| Q: |
What is a SAP rating? |
| A: |
SAP stands for the Standard Assessment Procedure for the Energy Rating of Dwellings.
It has been devised as a simple and easy to understand method of measuring the overall energy efficiency of a property and is the Governments recommended system for producing a home energy rating.
The SAP is related to the Energy Cost Factor (ECF), based on the calculated annual energy cost for lighting, space heating and water heating for a square meter of floor space.
SAP ratings are from zero to 100, a low rating indicates high cost per square metre and a high rating low costs.
The graph below illustrates that a SAP rating of 100 represents zero costs and SAP rating of 0 represents an ECF of £10 per square metre per annum (based on SAP 2005 energy prices).
In addition to producing a cost based rating, called the Energy Efficiency Rating, the SAP produces an estimate of carbon dioxide emissions, called the Environmental Impact Rating.
The SAP also produces recommendations for improvements that will increase the two ratings, with likely costs of implementation and projected reductions in fuel costs and CO2 emissions.
The Government hopes that giving consumers comparative information will enable them to invest wisely. For instance, spending perhaps £3000 on replacement double glazing might add only 4 SAP points, whereas spending that money on a new boiler might add 15 SAP points. |
| Q: |
What is RdSAP? |
| A: |
The full SAP is used in the Building Regulations and has to be calculated for every new home built. It is based on a detailed study of building plans, assessing design, construction materials and specifications. Such detail is rarely available for existing buildings, so RdSAP (Reduced data SAP ) has been developed for DEFRA (the Dept of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to provide a consistent method for delivering a SAP rating from a purely visual inspection of an existing home.
There are currently only three DEFRA accredited suppliers of RdSAP software. |
| Q: |
What is the Kyoto Protocol? |
| A: |
Kyoto is an agreement made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). With other EU members, the United Kingdom ratified the protocol in May 2002. It has commited to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (and five other greenhouse gases) to 92% of 1990 levels by 2008/12. Failure to achieve the savings will result in a "fine" of additional emissions reductions relative to other countries in the next reduction period. |
| Q: |
What is EU Directive 2002/91/EC? |
| A: |
Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and Council on the energy performance of buildings came into force on 4 January 2003. Its purpose is to raise awareness of energy use in buildings and it is intended to lead to substantial increases in investment in energy efficiency measures.
The directive requires each member state to introduce legislation to raise awareness by 4 January 2006 for both domestic and non-domestic buildings. The directive sets out its requirement in fifteen articles. The two that affect DEAs are as follows:
Article 3: Adoption of a methodology - This requires every government to apply a methodology which calculates the energy performance of buildings.
The methodology can be set either at national or regional level, it must be regularly updated and be easy to understand. It may include an indicator of the CO2 emissions from the building.
Article 7: Energy performance certificates - Whenever a building is constructed, sold or rented out, a certificate detailing its energy performance must be made available. This can either be to the owner, or by the owner, to the prospective buyer or tenant.
No certificate may be older than 10 years.
For apartments or for units designed for separate use in blocks, it is possible for certificates to be based on either a common certification of the whole building, where a block has a common heating system, or upon the assessment of another representative apartment within the same block.
In order to facilitate comparisons between buildings, the energy performance certificate must include reference values, such as current legal standards and benchmarks. It also must include recommendations for the cost effective investments which can be undertaken in the building, and which will improve its energy performance. |
| Q: |
What are Home Information Packs? |
| A: |
Buying and selling a property can be a slow, stressful and costly experience which is often prone to delay and failure. The Government believes Home Information Packs (HIPs) will improve the process. From 1 June 2007, all home owners in England and Wales will need to prepare a Home Information Pack before putting their home up for sale.
The Home Information Pack Regulations 2006 set out provisions on the "required" and "authorised" content of the pack. Required documents must be included in the pack where appropriate and authorised documents may be included at the seller's discretion.
The required documents are:
An index (i.e. a list of the contents of the Pack)
A sale statement (summarising terms of sale)
Evidence of title
Standard searches (i.e. local authority enquiries + drainage and water search)
Common-hold information (where applicable)
Leasehold information (where applicable)
A New Homes Warranty (where applicable)
An Energy Performance Certificate
The authorised documents include:
A Home Condition Report*
Guarantees and warranties
Other searches.
* The Home Condition Report (HCR) was originally a required document but is now an authorised part of the HIP.
An authorised document means that sellers can use them to top up their HIPs voluntarily, to include additional material where they judge that it will be of interest to prospective buyers. |
| Q: |
What are National Occupational Standards? |
| A: |
In order to deliver Energy Performance Certificates to a consistently high standard, the Government has issued regulations to control the content of the EPC and the qualifications of those providing them. The only people authorised to produce EPCs are those holding the Diploma in Home Inspection (Home Inspectors) or the Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment (DEAs).
For each qualification the Government has issued National Occupation Standards (NOS) approved by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and written by the property sector skills council Asset Skills. |
| Q: |
There is speculation that the market may be over-subscribed for energy assessors, what do you believe?
|
| A: |
Numbers at present appear to be consistent in those enquiring about training and enrolling to courses but we feel there is an element of scaremongering among the press and government. It is unlikely that there will be enough DEA's so we are recommending all interested parties train for 1st June 2007 deadline. |
| ELMHURST - TRAINING Q&A |
| Q: |
I have a background in the profession. Some training companies are saying they can sign me up for a fast track route. Can you do that and how much will it cost? What are the criteria and timescales?
|
| A: |
Government has still not defined the criteria for the fast-track scheme but as soon as Elmhurst have been advised, we can post some more information.
This will mean that those candidates who already have competencies within the profession, can be assessed on their current knowledge and may possibly only have to sit the final exam if assessment has found them competent.
|
| Q: |
I have completed training through Elmhurst for RdSAP, what route do I take now to become a DEA?
|
| A: |
It may be that you have completed the RdSAP training as part of a Home Inspector course. Elmhurst recommends that you still enroll on the DEA training scheme but they may be able to look to review your position and advise that you do not attend the RdSAP elements of the course.
|
| Q: |
Which course do we recommend?
|
| A: |
Elmhurst is recommending the NAEA course as it is the most direct route for candidates. The course costs £1450 + VAT and should take 6-8 weeks to complete with 3 classroom days. On completion of the training, the candidate is required to complete 5 'dummy' surveys (their house, friends or family x3 + 2 'virtual' surveys). These are then assessed by Elmhurst. The candidate is then required to attend one of the NAEA 'drop-in' type examination centres (details will be provided by Elmhurst on enrolment) and will sit the exam directly with NAEA as the awarding body. They will then be awarded with a certificate which Elmhurst can accredit.
(If you are a member of the NAEA, they can offer you a £200 discount of the enrolment fee.)
|
| Q: |
Are Elmhurst an accreditation centre?
|
| A: |
Not at present, but they are obtaining accreditation status very shortly (see questions on Accreditation).
|
| Q: |
Do I have to train with Elmhurst to secure a place within EAO as a DEA supplier?
|
| A: |
No. You can train with any company and still register to EAO but you must be accreditated by Elmhurst at this time (See Accreditation Questions).
|
| Q: |
How do I enroll with Elmhurst?
|
| A: |
There are three options you can take:
1. Telephone Elmhurst on 01788 833386
2. Email to: enquiries@elmhurstenergy.co.uk
3. Go online and register at: www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk
Alternatively, you can register your interest at www.energyassessors.org who will add you to both the Elmhurst Energy mailing list and the EAO emailing list.
|
| Q: |
Elmhurst's name appears a lot via other training providers, why is this?
|
| A: |
Elmhurst is one of 3 Government/Defra approved companies to own a licence for the RdSAP software. They are also a training and development company who have worked closely with the Government for consultation for almost 16 years.
Most of the courses provided by the likes of ABE, BlueBox and energy-assessors.com are supported by the training team at Elmhurst Energy who provide training on the software via these companies.
|
| Q: |
When are the next training courses running?
|
| A: |
The most recent list training courses is provided on the Elmhurst Energy website: www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk |
| Q: |
Where are the courses being held? |
| A: |
The courses are currently being held at Manchester, Coventry and Bristol. Elmhurst is however, looking to secure a further course south of London. |
| ACCREDITATION Q&A |
| Q: |
Accreditation Schemes for EPCs:
|
| A: |
Everyone who wishes to carry out a stand-alone EPC (as opposed to an HCR which includes an EPC) will have to go through an accreditation process with one of the accreditation bodies. This means that even pre-qualified Home Inspectors who are already accredited with SAVA and BRE will have to go through another accreditation in order to be able to carry out stand-alone EPCs from the 1st June. The accreditation involves checking their criminal record and their qualification, but those who have already have had criminal record checks done recently will be able to be accredited more quickly. There are currently no accreditation bodies for the stand-alone EPC. SAVA , BRE and Elmhurst must all submit their applications to become an accreditation scheme by Friday 16th March. The Government will award accreditation status by mid to late April.
|
| Q: |
Working for The Energy Assessors Organisation:
|
| A: |
We can only employ DEAs and Home Inspectors who have been accredited by Elmhurst. It is likely that in the future there will be a reciprocal arrangement between certification schemes but this will not be in place by the 1st June.
|
| Q: |
What does Elmhurst accreditation cost?
|
| A: |
It is likely to cost in the region of £150.00 per year, and this fee will be confirmed when the accreditation scheme is approved in April. A Home Inspector or DEA can register with more than one accreditation scheme. The Energy Assessors Organisation have signed heads of agreements for 25% of the market with major nationwide clients and we think it would be worth a one-off fee of £150.00 to Elmhurst for a DEA or HI to get access to that market.
|
| Q: |
How long will accreditation with Elmhurst take?
|
| A: |
About two weeks. If a Home Inspector or DEA has already had criminal record checks done with another accreditation scheme, this time will be reduced.
|
| Q: |
What if I didn't train with Elmhurst?
|
| A: |
The DEA or Home Inspector would be sent a manual on how to use the Elmhurst software and would simply have to submit two test cases using the software online. The software is very straightforward and Government approved, and will be familiar to any qualified DEA or HI.
|
| Q: |
What if I am already certified with SAVA or BRE?
|
| A: |
SAVA and BRE are currently only doing Home Inspector Certification (see point 1.) From April they will be able to sign off all pre-certified Home Inspectors as capable of carrying out the stand-alone EPC. If, come April, a DEA or HI wishes to register with more than one certification scheme he or she can do so. As we said, at least 25% of the market will only be available to Elmhurst certified DEAs and we think it is worth an extra £150.00 to gain access to that market.
|
| Q: |
Do I need to apply for a Criminal Record Check before I start working as a DEA? |
| A: |
Because you will be entering people's homes, you will be required to apply for a Criminal Record Check to trade as a Domestic Energy Assessor. These checks are also a requirement of the DEA Accreditation Scheme with Elmhurst Energy.
You might like to start arranging your Basic Criminal Record Check through Disclosure Scotland, the Scottish Criminal Record Bureau. Once you have passed your DEA qualification and you are ready to join the Elmhurst Accreditation Scheme, you will be asked to supply the results of your criminal record check. We have been assured that these checks normally only take 2 weeks to complete.
However we recommend that you apply for yours as soon as possible. Remember without a criminal record check you will not be able to trade. You do not have to have completed your training to carry out the check.
The Elmhurst Certification Scheme requires you to have the Basic level check, which is only available through the Scottish Bureau. The check can usually be done online and more information is available at http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/basic.htm The Scottish Bureau allows self-employed individuals to carry out their own checks, and offers a Basic check (as well as the Standard and Enhanced checks) which is not the case with the Bureau for England and Wales.
If you have already carried out a Disclosure (or Criminal Record Check) within the last twelve months as part of your registration with another Accreditation Scheme, you will be able to provide a copy of this check to Elmhurst Energy when joining the Scheme. |
| THE ENERGY ASSESSORS ORGANISATION Q&A |
| Q: |
What can EAO offer me? |
| A: |
Our target is 500,000 EPC's annually and we can offer you a guaranteed supply.
Our insurance scheme is cheaper than any other panel supplier and you will also have the support of Elmhurst Energy and our own administrative support call centre helping you with queries and diary management solutions.
When you join EAO as a DEA, you will be asked to enroll and complete a validation form and registration pack which includes a contract. Within this pack, you can specify the area you are willing to cover and the days you can work. If you are only looking to work on a part time basis, please advise the days you are available. You are then free to pursue your own commitments outside of your EAO work perimeters.
|
| Q: |
Is EAO a franchise business? Will they become a franchise business? |
| A: |
No |
| Q: |
Once qualified, can I approach my local estate agents to work privately for them as well as be on your panel? |
| A: |
Yes, although we would request on enrolment to EAO that you clearly advise which days or times you will not be available so that we can work to provide you with a consistent level of instructions on an ongoing basis.
|
| Q: |
Are The Energy Assessors Organisation looking for exclusivity? |
| A: |
In an ideal world, we'd like to secure everyone to trade for us, but we appreciate that you may sign up to several panel managers. The proof for you will be who can supply you with a consistent level of instructions.
|
| Q: |
What are the membership fees? |
| A: |
There are NO membership fees to join EAO Ltd. |
| Q: |
What happens with the VAT?
|
| A: |
If you are VAT registered, i.e. charging more than £61,000 in a tax year, you must register, if you charge VAT we pay you with the VAT and you pay the VAT office. If not we charge VAT and we pay the VAT office and can not claim VAT charges back from your VAT charging invoice. (Their invoice would not have VAT on it, so this should just read "your invoice.")
|
| Q: |
When do we upload the reports, ie. as we go along, or at the end of each day? |
| A: |
If you use a PDA you will upload reports from the device at home by docking with your web based server from the PDA through your home PC. You can do this every day or two but be very careful of your service level agreement with the customer who wants it back next day. If you use paper you log on and then double enter to the direct Elmhurst server over the internet.
|
| Q: |
Every time a report is printed we will be charged £5-£10 even though we have bought the software from the software company, is this correct?
|
| A: |
We pay you £40 per report - that's it - there are no hidden charges |
| Q: |
When will The Energy Assessors Organisation DEA fee be confirmed? |
| A: |
Fees: England & Wales £40.00.You will need a car, fuel costs and a phone and we will find the clients, set up the software, man the call centre, handle all the client paperwork, receive the instructions, give you web mail and web diary, pay your insurance premiums, pay the lodgment fee and the software submission fees, pay for mapping fees to Ordnance Survey as required and handle complaints and claims made against you. What more could you ask?
|
| Q: |
When will we know who The Energy Assessors Organisation are working with?
|
| A: |
The Energy Assessors Organisation will disclose this information shortly in the newsletter.
|
| Q: |
Will we be able to put our own logo onto the reports?
|
| A: |
The report is prescribed by parliament and will not be branded |
| Q: |
Can The Energy Assessors Organisation supply me with a marketing pack?
|
| A: |
You do not need one, we do everything, just visit the web site and see how: www.energyassessors.org |
