Energy assessor accreditation

Energy assessor accreditation
Energy assessors are responsible for carrying out assessments on the energy efficiency of buildings and producing Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates and associated reports.

An energy assessor must be a member of an accreditation scheme and have the appropriate level of qualification or competence for the type of work they carry out.

This guide outlines how you can gain accreditation and the qualifications you may need for accreditation. It also gives details of schemes that are available for the various types of energy assessor, and covers the software and methodologies that you must be familiar with.

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Gaining your energy assessor qualification
As an energy assessor, you will need to hold a current qualification in energy inspection, or be able to show equivalent competence. This forms part of a National Occupational Standard (NOS) in energy inspection and shows you have the appropriate technical ability to produce a certificate.

The qualification has been approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency. Qualification bodies have developed assessment procedures that support the NOS.

The qualifications awarded may cover specific areas of energy inspection ie for the use of standard methodologies for assessing energy performance, or the use of a particular methodology in certain types of building. As an energy assessor, you may only conduct inspections in areas covered by your current qualification and accreditation system.

Qualifications awarded may be limited in a number of ways. The qualification may only last for a certain number of years, or may need you to be supervised in some way during a trial period.

The following organisations award recognised energy assessor qualifications: Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE) - find details of the range of energy assessment diplomas offered on the ABBE website - Opens in a new window National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) - find out about the award in energy assessment on the NFOPP website - Opens in a new window City and Guilds - find out about diplomas for energy assessors and home inspectors on the City and Guilds website - Opens in a new window For more information on how to become an energy assessor, see our guide on being an energy assessor or home inspector.

Criminal Records Bureau check
If you wish to become a domestic energy assessor, you will need to get a basic Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check carried out before you apply to an accreditation scheme - some schemes require the certificate to be sent with the application form. You can find information about applying for a Criminal Records Bureau check on the CRB website - Opens in a new window.

If you already hold a standard or enhanced CRB check, some accreditation schemes may accept this. However, if you are in any doubt, you should check with them directly.

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Gaining and keeping your energy assessor accreditation
If you want to work as an energy assessor, you must be a member of an accreditation scheme.

You can become a member of an accreditation scheme by showing you: have a recognised qualification from an awarding body, or approved prior experience and learning equivalent to the National Occupational Standard (NOS) requirements - read about NOS requirements for energy assessors on the Asset Skills website - Opens in a new window. maintain the correct professional indemnity cover update your skills and knowledge regularly take part in the accreditation body's quality assurance procedures abide by the scheme's advice and guidance

Your scheme membership will only last as long as you fulfil the accreditation requirements. Accreditation allows you to produce energy certificates and air conditioning inspections.

Accreditation is available for the different types of energy assessor. These include assessors for: existing dwellings - see the page in this guide on accreditation for domestic energy assessors for existing dwellings new builds - see the page in this guide on on-construction domestic energy assessors accreditation commercial properties - see the page in this guide on commercial (non-domestic) energy assessors accreditation Display Energy Certificate operational ratings - see the page in this guide on operational ratings assessor accreditation air conditioning - see the page in this guide on air conditioning system energy assessor accreditation The role of accreditation schemes

The accreditation scheme ensures the quality of energy inspections and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). It will: provide standards, procedures and codes of conduct that you are expected to adhere to ensure that you are qualified to conduct an energy assessment, and to produce the EPC and its accompanying advice and recommendations make sure that you have appropriate professional indemnity cover prove you are registered ensure that you are 'fit and proper' to carry out your duties provide continuing professional development resolve complaints carry out your initial competency check actively monitor quality assurance of EPCs validate reports before final accreditation

To speed up the accreditation process, you can apply to an accreditation scheme before you have qualified or received your Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check - which is required for domestic energy assessors. However, you will not be able to become accredited - or start work - before you are fully qualified and have received your CRB check.

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Accreditation for domestic energy assessors for existing dwellings
If you are a domestic energy assessor (DEA) for existing dwellings, you must: Carry out energy efficiency assessments on existing dwellings only. Collect data on the dimensions, construction, heating and hot water provision of the property, and enter the information into an approved software programme - Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RDSAP). Produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for homes being marketed for sale - included in Home Information Packs - for other homes sold and for homes when rented. For more information, see our guide on Energy Performance Certificates - domestic properties.

Before you can start work, you must be accredited. To become accredited, you must meet the National Occupational Standards (NOS) in domestic energy assessment.

There are two ways to show that you are qualified: APEL (accreditation of prior experiential learning) - this applies if you already use RDSAP and produce Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) reports and EPCs when an existing dwelling is sold or let. When you apply, you must provide three sample EPCs and show your experience of producing SAP reports. Qualification - if you are new to this field, you must obtain a level three diploma and certificate in domestic energy assessment before you can seek accreditation.

Accreditation schemes
A number of bodies are approved to run accreditation schemes for energy assessment of existing dwellings.

For more information on the schemes, and details of their qualifications and approved assessment centres, you should contact them directly:

You will need to submit the following documents to your accreditation scheme: a fully completed and signed application form a basic disclosure certificate proof of qualification Accreditation for new builds and commercial properties

For information on accreditation for new builds and commercial properties, see the pages in this guide on on-construction domestic energy assessor accreditation and commercial (non-domestic) energy assessor accreditation.

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On-construction domestic energy assessor accreditation
If you are an on-construction domestic energy assessor (OCDEA) you must: assess new-build properties only use plans and specifications to collect data on the dimensions, construction, heating and hot-water provision of the property, and enter the information into an approved software programme - Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and energy assessments for new-build dwellings

The two ways to demonstrate that you are a qualified assessor are: APEL (accreditation of prior experiential learning) - if you can already produce SAP reports when you apply, you must provide three sample EPCs and evidence of your experience with SAP reports. Qualification - if you are new to this field, you must qualify for the level three diploma and certificate in domestic energy assessment before you can seek accreditation.

There are a number of bodies that offer OCDEA accreditation schemes. For further details of their qualifications and approved assessment centres

Commercial (non-domestic) energy assessor accreditation
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are now required on construction, sale or rent of all commercial (non-domestic) buildings. These may only be produced by accredited commercial energy assessors (CEAs). EPCs are valid for up to ten years.

To become an accredited CEA, you must meet the National Occupational Standards (NOS) in commercial energy assessment.

CEAs
There are three levels of competence for CEAs: level five - an assessor can use Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) software to produce EPCs for new, more complex buildings level four - an assessor can use Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) software to produce EPCs for new and existing complex buildings level three - an assessor can use SBEM software to produce EPCs for simple, existing buildings Level-five accreditation

Accreditation as a level five assessor is only available through the accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) route.

Assessors who already use DSM software would need to: show how they meet NOS produce three sample EPCs undertake top-up training as necessary Level-four accreditation

There are two routes to accreditation as a level four CEA: APEL - if you can use the SBEM software when applying to an accreditation scheme, you must show how you meet the NOS in full. You must include your experience of producing SBEM reports and three sample EPCs. You may also need to undertake top-up training. Qualification - the level four diploma is currently being developed for those who are new to the field. You can apply for accreditation if you already have a diploma in level four commercial energy assessment.

Level-three accreditation
There are two routes to accreditation as a level three commercial energy assessor: APEL - if you have experience in the commercial building sector, you must show when applying to an accreditation scheme how you meet the NOS. You should include your experience of producing SBEM reports and three sample EPCs. You may also need to undertake top-up training. Qualification - if you are new to the field, you will need the level three diploma in commercial energy assessment. If you already have this, you can apply to an accreditation scheme for accreditation.

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Operational ratings assessor accreditation
Owners of larger public buildings must display a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) which shows the building's operational rating and an associated advisory report.

DECs are valid for one year and the advisory report is valid for up to seven years. DECs may only be produced by an accredited operational ratings assessor (ORA).

In order to become accredited, you must meet the relevant National Occupational Standards (NOS) in full. This includes showing full knowledge of operational rating methodology and the ability to use the approved operational rating software.

There are two routes to accreditation as an ORA. These are: APEL (accreditation of prior experiential learning) - if you already have experience of energy management or energy assessment, you must show how you meet the NOS in full. You must include your experience of using operational rating software and producing sample DECs and advisory reports. You may also need to take top-up training. Qualification - the level three diploma in display energy assessment is currently being developed for people new to the field. If you already have a diploma in display energy assessment, you can apply to an accreditation scheme for accreditation.

There are a number of bodies that offer accreditation schemes for DECs.

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Air conditioning system energy assessor accreditation
By January 2009 or January 2011 - depending on their size - air conditioning units will need an energy efficiency inspection every five years. These inspections may only be carried out by an accredited air conditioning system energy assessor (ACSEA).

To become accredited, assessors must meet the relevant National Occupational Standards (NOS). You can read about NOS requirements for energy assessors on the Asset Skills website - Opens in a new window.

There are two different levels of competence for ACSEA: Level four - for inspection of complex/central air conditioning systems Level three - for inspection of simple/packaged air conditioning systems

There are two routes to accreditation as an ACSEA. These are: APEL (accreditation of prior experiential learning) - if you already have experience of inspecting air conditioning systems, you must show - when applying to an accreditation scheme - how you meet the NOS at either level three or level four. You may need to undertake top-up training. Qualification - the level three and four diplomas in air conditioning energy assessment are currently being developed for people new to the field. If you have a diploma in air conditioning inspection, you can apply to an accreditation scheme for accreditation.

There are a number of bodies that offer accreditation schemes for ACSEA.

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Energy assessment methodology and software
When producing Energy Performance Certificates and Display Energy Certificates (DECs), you need to use particular calculation tools. A number of different methodologies have been developed for different types of building and building conditions.

Non-domestic premises
For buildings not intended as a home after being built, the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) or Dynamic Simulation Model (DSM) must be used.

SBEM is a computer program that analyses a building's energy consumption. It uses a description of the building geometry, construction, use and heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting equipment. From this it calculates the monthly energy use and carbon dioxide emissions of the building.

A DSM is a software tool that models energy inputs and outputs for different types of building over time. It is used where SBEM will not be sophisticated enough to provide an accurate assessment of a building's energy efficiency.

Domestic premises
Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the procedure for energy assessments of domestic premises. It is used to show that they comply with Part L of the Building Regulations. You can read information about SAP on the BRE website - Opens in a new window.

Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RDSAP) is the government-approved standardised system for doing an energy survey on an existing dwelling, eg for homes being sold or rented out. A full SAP requires many data items that cannot be seen in a survey or that may take too long to collect. RDSAP is an industry-agreed standard set of data items and a standard way of inferring the missing data.

You can read about the RDSAP on the National Home Energy Rating (NHER) scheme website - Opens in a new window.

Mixed-use buildings - when the building is built, sold or rented out - should be treated as a dwelling if the living accommodation is more than half of the total area of the building and the commercial part could revert to living accommodation without significant alteration. A house with a portion separated out as a workshop, office or surgery should be dealt with as a 'mixed use' building.

In other cases, you should treat the dwelling and non-dwelling parts separately using the most appropriate methodology for each part. For example, where a building contains both flats and offices, you should use SAP or RDSAP for the flats and SBEM or DSM for the offices.

For all other buildings being built, sold or rented out, you must use SBEM or DSM.

DECs
The Government has produced a free-issue software package for suitably accredited energy assessors to generate DECs, advisory reports and associated data files (in XML format).

Source: www.businesslink.gov.uk