JohnF

have you completed DEA?

Thanks John F, but that doesn't really help me. I'm intrigued, but guess will never find out because I'm not selling, what energy rating my house would get. There just seem to be too many reasons why my house is not 17 Any Street.
And the phrase 'Based on standardised assumptions about occupancy'. Just what does that mean? It strikes me that the variability in behaviour of occupants can swamp the variation in physical structure.

chuckey, i try hard to resist cynicism but its not always easy. in fact the government has already spent huge amounts of money trying out different techniques on updating properties and many of the results are available as technical studies through the bre, some of them are avilable free from the energy saving trust, just go to their website and order. there have also been many technical reports in specialist journals. the bre are actually carrying out an in depth study at the moment on upgrading old buildings and even i have written a thesis on the subject but its not something that your average publisher wants to know about for general release. one of the intentions of energy certificate is undoubtedly the eventual incorporation of a carbon tax element in to the council tax but the way round this of course is to start upgrading the energy efficiency of our houses.
biff, surely you are not suggesting that the government should start controlling our behaviour though personally i'm all in favour of wearing an extra jumper in the winter in doors but can't convince my wife! if you want to know how your house will rate tell me a few things about it, or give me all the data needed and i'll do a trial entry. however, what will probably be recommended is likely to be quite obvious in most properties e.g loft insulation to 250, A-rated condensing boiler, cavity wall insulation etc. as i have repoerted already if you have done a lot of energy reducing imps already then the thing for the future is to keep a record of those that you have covered up or make them accessible. the people who have got RdSAP up and running know its weaknesses but it has been developed to cover a huge range of property types and ages in a way that is reasonably practical, there is no doubt that it will have to be modified to accommodate different levels of information. for example, i can see an option eventaully to enter specific U-values where imps have been made.

biff, i quite agree with you, but sometimes we have to go with what we have got in order to move forward at all....most people are simply not going to be able to deal with these issues in any sort of sophisticated way. unfortunately there are an awful lot of 'normal' people in 'normal' houses. people like you by the sound of it, and me i hope, can start to change attitudes and practice.

With Ruth Kelly's HIP operation being delayed, and the govt still not finding any WMD (Ways to Make Decisions) I find that Ken's reference to a cynical view of our govt a happy relief; especially if you are one of those poor DEAs who had geared up to a new income June 1st ..they now have to sign on for another 2 months to be let lose on the public (..those lucky few with 4 beds or more...). Lets hope that the thin paper walls of social housing gets corrected when the DEAs are let lose on their EPCs. Still there is always the Planning to play around with ... (oh, did I hear a groan!!)

I promise my next entry wont be so cynical..... I was contemplating adding DEA to my skills .. In fact I may still .. the more people that show how inadequate our current housing stock is in relation to energy efficiency.. the more pressure that can be levied on the govt to subsidise some renewable energy systems. Maybe a grant system should be introduced ( oh.. wait a mo ..didn’t they try that ?!!). Still.. I’m sure Ruth’s replacement will come up with a new twist……closely followed by a govt headline “unemployment fell in Sept”.. !! (rant over :-))

At least by August t'new laddie 'll be in charge so our Ruth can have her HIP replacement without worrying about t' day job.

Read this thread with interest. I'm based in Ireland where we're running a bit behind schedule. Domestic Energy Assessments of existing housing stock doesnt come into effect until Jan '09. Plan based assessment of new dwellings has just kicked off. Just wondering if any of you are assessing new builds. I have found that training was inadequate when it comes to u value calculations - and its too important an item not to get to grips with.
I'm using the bre u value calculator but that doesnt have all materials listed. I know they can be added but is there a recognised and exhaustive listing of the conductivity/resistance of ALL wall/floor/roof building elements??

This is the only item that is holding me back from trading competently so any assistance would be warmly received.

The Irish scheme is very similar in nature to SAP - with just a couple of variances. Of course there is more involved to energy rating a new build than u values. The other aspects are relatively straightforward. I just have concerns about working out the complete u value for a wall based on all elements of its buildup - and don't want to drop the ball and get it wrong. I've talked to a few people since and will continue to use the bre u value calculator. The elements that it doesnt contain I will have to do some homework on.

The lower the better and 55 is a good thermostat setting. This is cool enough to minimise heat losses and to stop accidental scalding. The top of the cylinder will get warmer than this so that no nasty organisms can develop. There has never yet been a case of any organism developing in a hot cylinder though some do worry about the possibility. No doubt their comments will follow.

For EPC Training its 60c

As someone who has worked as a Chartered Surveyor for 30+ years, but is now in an architectural office doing CAD design, building reg specs and SAP 2005 calcs I was intrigued by Ken's projected? income figures. On that basis by doing relatively little further training I could treble my income! However a few calls to local estate agents around Exeter found that they are currently plagued by RDSAP assessors offering their services for a very limited amount of work. Hopefully there will be enough work to go round when 3 bedroom and other properties require certifying later. Thanks Ken for your interesting comments and good luck in your new venture.

Regarding domestic water temps my daughter is a intensive care nursing sister and deals with several cases a year (some fatal) of Legionairs Disease. None she knows of have come from domestic systems, the majority being from showers in touring caravans which have stood all winter. The most recent was a chap who services air conditioning systems. She thinks that if the system is flushed through regularly there is not a problem even if the water temp is below the recommended 60 deg C. There are chemicals sold to flush/disinfect caravan showers and water systems after layup in case anyone is personally worried.

Don't pay out any money to anyone else make them pay it you.

What do you like or are most interested in?

There is no such thing as easy money and consistent hard work (not long hours) will make you rich eventually.

colene, i started this thread off and am now doing EPC's, my phone no.appears somewhere above and i have gladly responded to dozens of queries on this subject largely from people who either think its going to be easy money or are desperate for a career change. I suggest that the best way to view a DEA qualification is as a start into other aspects of property or greater specialisation in environmental assessment e.g there will eventually be more demand for code for sustainable homes assessors and people who can give good practical advice (perhaps also installation) on energy conservation/green measure in existing buildings.
happy to discuss further on 01424 752311
regards, ken davis