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The following is an extract from recent statements to accreditation and training centres for the forthcoming introduction of the Green Deal Scheme. It is streesed that at this time the proposals are provisional but gives an insight into the role of home energy advisors and domestic energy assessors for new energy efficiency improvements tied to the likekly revision of current EPC standards. The following information points to the likely qualifications, plans for accreditation and the overall timescale for the introduction of the Green Deal from the DCLG.

The Green Deal will enable householders to invest in energy efficiency improvements to their homes through and adviser, at no upfront cost, that will pay for themselves through savings on their energy bills. The money to pay for the improvements will be borrowed from a Green Deal provider who will arrange for the measures to be installed. It is expected that the repayments plus reduced energy bills will always be lower than energy bills were before installation of the measures

The finance will be tied to the property rather than the householder and repayments will be made via the householder’s energy bill. The effect of this will be that where Green Deal advisor finance has been taken out to pay for energy efficiency measures and the householder subsequently moves before the loan is repaid, the new occupant will take over responsibility for the repayments, while still enjoying the benefit of lower fuel bills.

Legislation will be required to establish the overall framework for the Green Deal, including the ability to link Green Deal finance to a property. This means that the Green Deal is not expected to be up and running until about mid-2012.

Green Deal Advisers

An important aspect of the Green Deal will be the provision of personalised advice to householders. It is likely, but yet to be confirmed, that the role of these advisers will be to:

produce a fabric assessment, along the lines of an improved EPC, where one does not already exist. Current work to improve the EPC should position it to deliver this element of the Green Deal;
provide personalised face to face advice to householders on the most appropriate energy efficiency measures for their home using the fabric assessment as the basis for that advice;
provide advice on behavioural changes that an occupier can make to reduce energy consumption;
lodge an updated EPC on the Register following installation of the measures.

It is important to stress that the detail of the Green Deal is still being developed so the proposed Green Deal Adviser role has yet to be finalised and is subject to change.

Qualifications and Training

National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Home and Community Energy Advisers were published in June 2009. Those standards were developed at a time when a rather different role was envisaged for HEAs. While many of the skills and competencies prescribed in the NOS are likely to be relevant to the role of the Green Deal Adviser, there will be a range of other skills and knowledge that an adviser working under the auspices of the Green Deal will require.

Asset Skills, the awarding bodies and others, are to update the NOS to ensure that it reflects all of the skills that will be required for the Green Deal. We expect to complete this process early next year, following which appropriate qualifications will be developed and brought forward. It follows that a suitable qualification for people wanting to become Green Deal Adviser does not currently exist.

DEAs are already qualified to produce EPCs. If it is decided that EPCs should form the basis of a Green Deal inspection, then they will be well placed to upgrade their skills and become Green Deal Advisers. We are working to ensure that the revised NOS takes account of the skills of existing DEAs and, where appropriate, that they are exempt from those elements of the standards that cover areas in which they are already qualified.

Green Deal providers

Green Deal providers will be organisations that have decided to become involved in the financing and delivery of the Green Deal. It will be for them to decide whether they recruit advisers directly, engage with them on a contractual basis or make other arrangements.

Accreditation

All Green Deal Advisers will need to belong to an accreditation scheme. It is envisaged that such schemes will need to be in place by early 2012.

Timescale

The expectation is that qualifications for Green Deal Advisers are to be ready by mid 2011, accreditation schemes to have been set up by early 2012 and for the Green Deal itself to be in place by mid 2012.

Energy Performance Certificates

For domestic homes the existing RdSAP calculations will be modified to include changes to the certificate to be issued. More information is available Green Deal EPC which provides further details about the scheme which will affect all currently registered energy assessors (DEA's).

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Business Owners Note: Legislation and Regulations regarding air conditioning services as part of the EU EPBD Buildings directive including when and what current systems require inspections for properties, and assessment commencing January 2011 refer to "Air Conditioning Systems" at the foot of this page.

Air Conditioning certification and the current law regarding EPBD UK regulations.

Additional information is available covering F Gas inspection, good practice guide, maintenance and repairs of air-conditioning equipment, fine and penalty for non-compliance, and what to expect in the recommendations report, also funding, grants and loans for improvement. Learn more about the best ways to make your air conditioning system more efficient and improvements to your asset rating.

Energy Assessor - What inspector do I need for energy assessment for a home or commercial building?

Commercial (NDEA): Non-Domestic, for business premises for sale or letting e.g. Newspaper shop, Pub, Restaurant, Retail shops, Industrial Units, Manufacturing (Factory) or office premises. iSBEM modeling is used to issue an epc certificate. If your business is leased through a real estate agent, you are required to obtain the assessment report.

Exemption - There are some exemptions, however, to be exempt certain conditions and criteria need to met, avoidance is not advisable, a penalty (fine) may be imposed for non-compliance. Enforcement is carried out by Trading Standards Officers from your local authority.

Domestic (DEA): House and Home sales as part of a house sale or letting, you will need an EPC Certificate as part of a house sale or rental, for example, when you sell your house through an estate agent, or property solicitor. For rented property - which is to be let, you will also require an EPC Certificate.

Air Conditioning (ACSEA): Air Conditioning Systems assessor (HVAC), specialists, surveyors and consultants for A/C systems for commercial property.

BREEAM: Part L Building regulations specialist assessors who are licensed, they are known as Code for Sustainable Homes Assessors or BREEAM assessors. BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method)for eco-homes.

SBEM: Simplified Building Energy Model - An SBEM calculation is required for the issue of a recommendation report as part of a non-domestic property survey. SBEM is the methodology used to calculate the rating.

DEC (Display Energy Certificate): An assessor qualified and accredited to survey public (local authority) sector buildings under UK Government ownership or control.

Building Services Engineers - Guidance for compliance issues and more about Acoustic Sound Tests, Air Conditioning Reports, Air Tightness and Pressure Testing for properties, asbestos removal, asbestos disposal: refer to relevant links on this site.

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Green Deal Installers UK new

Green Deal UK insulation installers for loft, cavity wall, and solid wall insulation installation by approved contractors in the UK. The scheme also includes retro-fit of renewable energy systems including heat pumps and solar PV panels for homes. To find out more on how you can benefit from the plan visit this website.

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