Information for Domestic Energy Assessors and Home Inspectors

To locate an energy assessor in your locale, please click here: www.hcrregister.com Please note that hcrregister is managed by Landmark and does NOT contain the register managed by AHIPP.


AHIPP operates its own register of DEAs and HIs. To record or edit your details please click here.


What do Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) do?

DEAs are the work force that fulfils the need in England and Wales to adhere to the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive issued by the European Parliament. Amongst its provisions, it states that all domestic properties must have an energy report on them, or be able to have an energy report done on them by a qualified person by 2009. The department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has therefore produced qualifications whereby this requirement can be met, the Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment (DEA) and/or the Diploma in Home inspection (HI).

The EU Directive will be tackled iteratively and the sale and purchase of domestic residential property will be addressed first. Sellers of residential property are required to produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when marketing their homes as part of the new Home Information Pack Legislation that came into force on 01/08/07. Four bedroom properties were the first to be applicable for the HIP, commencing on 1st August 2007. Three bedroom properties went "live" on 10th September 2007 and from 14th December 2007, all residential properties need a HIP. DEAs and HIs will be trained to collect data and produce the reports on all domestic properties which will then be included as a mandatory document within the Home Information Pack. The data will include information on dimensions, construction, heating and other services that are provided to the property. This data will then be input into an approved software system which will generate the report.

The software will produce a graphic display and will rate the property’s current efficiency and carbon footprint and will compare that to its potential efficiency. The potential efficiency will be determined by modelling the property on the basis that simple recommendations included in the EPC are implemented by the seller or buyer.


What is an EPC?

An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is the final product that results from the inspection by the DEA and will have an A to G rating (rather like white kitchen goods) on the graphic display below.

How do I qualify to be a Domestic Energy Assessor?

The way to qualify is to take the Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessment through an accredited training centre. There are three main accrediting bodies for the qualification and they are:

The Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE) which caters primarily for new entrants into the industry.

The City and Guilds which is more geared towards experienced property practitioners, including those that have experience in surveying within the property market.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) training, which is available to its members only.

The qualification is based upon a final multiple choice exam and a portfolio of work to prove competence. The portfolio must include at least 5 EPCs and must also cover a variety of housing types that will satisfy the qualification stipulations.
For further details of the training and assessment centres that are offering training, please contact ABBE or City and Guilds direct on the contact details at the bottom of the page.

For further information on the training, the qualification itself or what the demands are for qualifying please visit the Asset Skills website. Details again are provided at the bottom of the page.

Funding support may be available for some candidates depending on the grants and financial support offered by your local and regional Learning and Skills Council. For Welsh candidates they can approach the Welsh assembly direct to ask for similar support.


How do I gain employment?

Upon qualifying the diploma holder must apply to a certification scheme in order to be licensed. The certification schemes’ job is to ensure that:

• The individual diploma holding DEA/HI is a fit and proper person to be interacting with the public on a professional level.
• To ensure that the diploma holding DEA/HI has maintained suitable levels of professional indemnity insurance
• And to ensure that a commitment is received from the diploma holder that they will update key skills and knowledge regularly as required.

The licensed DEA/HI has a number of different employment options. Many Pack Providers will offer work to DEAs/HIs through a Panel Manager. Panel Managers offer work for DEAs/HIs who elect to join the panel through large managed databases. Typically panel managers will take a commission from the fee that the Pack Provider will pay (on a per EPC basis). By joining a panel the DEA/HI remains effectively freelance but can expect a steady stream of income.

Some Pack Providers will employ DEAs/HIs directly to fulfil their needs. To find out which these providers are, it is suggested that candidates look under the membership tab on this website.

Alternatively, DEAs/HIs may elect to remain entirely independent. Typically this will involve networking with local estate agents, solicitors and surveying firms to obtain work.

Some DEAs/HIs have decided to combine some panel work whilst also maintaining their independence to take on work for local contacts.


What is the future for the DEA in particular?

Under the European directive, EPCs will be required for all buildings in due course. From 1st October 2008, EPCs are be required for all homes listed for and marketed for sale. The next step is that EPCs will be required on all rented and social housing and DEAs will be qualified to undertake this work. It is expected that implementation will take place in the second half of 2008.

Following domestic property, attention will be directed at EPCs for commercial property. As assessing different types of commercial property will require different skills, it is anticipated that additional modules of learning will be developed allowing DEAs to expand their qualification.

In conclusion, there are strong career path opportunities for DEAs either in expanded energy assessment and/or in becoming a Home Inspector (HI) and undertaking Home Condition Reports (HCRs). HCRs are an important authorised document in the HIP.

Further Information and Contact Details.

Asset Skills
www.assetskills.org
Telephone: 01392 423 399
enquiries@energy-assessors.org.uk

Learndirect
www.assetskills.org
Telephone: 08000 567 160

The Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE)
www.abbeqa.co.uk
Telephone: 0121 331 5174

City and Guilds
www.cityandguilds.com
Telephone: 0207 294 2800
learnersupport@cityandguilds.com