Frequently Asked Questions
Please click on the links below to take you to your relevant FAQ topic.
New Build Dwelling FAQs
Does Elmhurst provide any Business Opportunities at the end of the course?
I have been a user of the Elmhurst Design Software in Scotland for some time, but I didn't attend any SAP2005 Update course; I would like to produce EPCs, how do I go about it?
This is OK. Although you do not need to be accredited in Scotland to carry out SAP 2005 calculations/EPCs for new dwellings you will need to attend Design Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) 2005 & Building Regulations Awareness Training and complete 2 test cases for assessment if you do not wish the term 'un-accredited user' to appear on any printouts.
You must also remember you need an up to date copy of the Design SAP Software. If you have completed these steps you will then be able to produce SAP calculations for submission to Building Standards at building warrant application stage and also produce an EPC for submission with the Completion Certificate.
Does Elmhurst offer any business opportunities at the end of the course?
Elmhurst are experts in training and providing software solutions to persons and organisations, to let them provide SAP calculations and EPCs to their own customers. Although we will not be directly offering work or contacts for SAP and EPC work, we will certainly help to direct our members to opportunities where they exist via our website and newsletters. We strongly expect persons to do there own marketing and understand their business opportunities.
If I am already qualified as a Domestic Energy Assessor, why can I not produce an RdSAP rating on a new build property?
Legislation is very different for new build properties as opposed to sales of existing properties. The Government are linking the production of a Building Regulation/standards calculation as the trigger point to produce the EPC. This is advantageous to a developer who has to employ one person to produce and guide them through the Building Regs/standards procedure and also upon completion legally produce the required EPC. Most importantly the SAP calculation and EPC is produced off plan and is not done on-site, and hence has a very different skill set required by the assessors for example detailed understanding of the necessary regulations vs. surveying skills that are required to assess an existing property.
Furthermore the new build construction industry and the provision of Building Regulations/standards and EPC production is a very different market to the offering of EPCs as part of the Home Report on sales of existing homes. Different DEA courses are available for this separate market sector.
I think I understand the system in Scotland, but could you please advise me of a typical new build project from design stage to the production of an EPC, preferably in layman's language!
The general process is as follows:
Step 1: Developer designs a new build dwelling
Step 2: The SAP assessor will advise and check with the developer at this design stage that the dwelling complies with the minimum standards in the relevant Building Regulations/Standards, by using the Elmhurst Design SAP2005 software.
Step 3: Once the dwelling complies, then SAP assessor will provide a SAP 2005 calculation and EPC .The SAP calculation will be submitted to Building Standards with the building warrant application to demonstrate compliance with section 6 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations/Domestic Handbook and the EPC will be submitted to Building Standards with the Completion Certificate submission
Step 4: Once completed, if necessary, the SAP assessor can recalculate the SAP rating, to ensure that it reflects the dwelling as actually built and includes certain additional information only available once construction has been completed e.g. pressure test results, name and make of boiler etc.
I am not a member of a professional body and realise that I need to show a level of knowledge and understanding against the new National Occupational Standards (NOS) for soft skills when I make an application for DEA Accreditation under APELin Scotland- why do I need to do this?
Although you are very likely to have all the skills necessary on soft skills such as health and safety, client relationships etc. in your present or previous positions; all persons who obtain a licence through the APEL route must prove and demonstrate that they do meet the required standards. We at Elmhurst have produced a comprehensive distance learning module which is easy to understand and covers all the required knowledge and understanding, by undertaking the assessment questions in this module, you will clearly show to Government that you are of the correct standard required.
A U value expresses the ability of a material to allow heat to transfer across it. The technical equation is Watts /metre2 x degrees Kelvin)
A low U value means the material has high resistance to the transfer of heat. The U value of all building materials is known and the composition of materials side by side in a structural element results in a U value for that element i.e. walls, roof, floors, windows, etc
Elmhurst Energy Accreditation FAQs
What do I need to do to become an Elmhurst Accredited Energy Assessor?
How do I get my details to appear on the HEED Register?
As an Elmhurst Accredited Energy Assessor- will you be providing me with work?
How long does the process take to become an Accredited Energy Assessor?
What are panel providers and how do they work?
Is it possible to be Accredited on more than one Accreditation scheme?
Is it possible to trial the Elmhurst RDSAP software before I purchase?
I have recently changed my contact details, how do I communicate this to Elmhurst Energy?
Is there an Energy Assessor Accreditation logo? if so, where can I find it?
What do I need to do to become an Elmhurst Accredited Energy Assessor?
If you want to become an Accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) in Scotland
- Complete in full the relevant application forms including the application for the Scottish supplement (please click here for all forms)
- With your application form please also send in a copy of your DEA qualification certificate issued by either ABBE, City & Guilds or NFOPP (NAEA)
- Send us your original Disclosure Certificate with your application. (All disclosure certificates submitted for initial Accreditation must be within 3 months old)
- Enclose a passport size photograph with your application form (This is needed to create your Accredited ID card)
- A copy of your Passport or Photo Driving Licence is also required (For verification of your details/photograph)
- Payment must be supplied with the application form. Cheques or supplying card details are both acceptable methods of payment.
If you want to become an Accredited APEL (Approved Prior Experiential Learning) Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) in Scotland:
- Complete in full the relevant application forms including the application for the Scottish supplement (please click here for all forms)
- With your application form we also require evidence of your professional membership/qualification
- If you are applying for route four we require a copy of the Safe As Certificate along with your application form
- Send us your Disclosure Certificate with your application. (All disclosure certificates submitted for initial Accreditation must be within 3 months old)
- Enclose a passport size photograph with your application form (This is needed to create your Accredited ID card)
- A copy of your Passport or Photo Driving Licence is also required (For verifictation of your details/photograph)
- Payment must be supplied with the application form. Cheques or supplying card details are both acceptable methods of payment.
If you want to become an Accredited Commercial (CEA) level 3 or 4 in Scotland for existing non-domestic buildings
- Complete in full the relevant application form including the Scottish supplement (please click here for all forms)
- Please send us evidence of your formal qualification appropriate for the scheme(s) you are applying for - these would be issued by NFOPP (NAEA), ABBE or City & Guilds
- Please supply us with evidence of Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Payment must be supplied with the application form. Cheques or supplying card details are both acceptable methods of payment.
How do I get my details to appear on the HEED Register?
All Energy Assessors Accredited with Elmhurst are automatically uploaded to the HEED Register at the end of the working day.
As an Elmhurst Accredited Energy Assessor - will you be providing me with work?
Elmhurst Energy Systems is an expert in providing the software and training solutions to individuals -enabling them to provide Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) Elmhurst Energy do not participate in communicating direct contacts or positions that would lead to EPC production. However, we will certainly help to direct our Energy Assessors to opportunities where they exist, via our website and regular newsletters. Elmhurst Energy highly recommend that Energy Assessors undertake their own marketing activity and understand their own business opportunities.
How long does the process take to become an Accredited Energy Assessor?
If you send your application to Elmhurst Energy fully complete, signed and with all the relevant information i.e. payment, Disclosure Certificate, evidence of Professional Indemnity Insurance etc... then the process to become Accredited will take seven to ten working days.
What are panel providers and how do they work?
Panel Providers are companies who employ Accredited Energy Assessors, either on an employed or self employed basis, to produce Energy Performance Certificates. Please click here to view our ‘Energy Assessors Business Opportunities' page, details of Panel Providers can be found here.
Is it possible to be Accredited on more than one Accreditation scheme?
Yes, it is possible for an individual to have more than one Energy Assessor Accreditation. The cost for an additional Accreditation will be charged at the relevant renewal rate.
Is it possible to trial the Elmhurst RDSAP software before I purchase?
Elmhurst Energy offer DEMO software within the members area of this site. Please contact our Accreditation or Software Support department to obtain an access code and password.
I have recently changed my contact details, how do I communicate this to Elmhurst Energy?
If at any point you change your contact details during your Accreditation with Elmhurst Energy you must notify us as soon as possible. Please contact our accreditation team on 01455883253 to inform us of your change of details. Elmhurst Energy will also notify the Landmark Register of your change of details.
Is there an Energy Assessor Accreditation logo? If so, where can I find it?
All Energy Assessors Accredited with Elmhurst are entitled to display the Energy Assessor Accreditation logo on communications to their customers i.e. letter headed paper, website etc... The Energy Assessor Accreditation logo is located in the ‘documents download' section within the members area. The Accredited logo is available in two formats - a format suitable for web use and a higher resolution format that should be used for all printed communications. Please take note of the Elmhurst Energy brand guidelines when using the logos, the guidelines are there to ensure the correct use of the Accredited logo and are in place to protect the high quality representation of the Elmhurst brand.
Is the previous version of the Elmhurst Accreditation logo invalid now that there is a new version available?
No, Elmhurst Energy have recently launch a new brand image and this includes a change in appearance of the Accreditation logo. The previous green and blue version is entirely valid and will remain valid. However, we would recommend that you do start to implement the new Accreditation logo where possible on your communications to your customers to keep you up to date with the new Elmhurst brand image. The new logo is available in the members area in a format suitable for web and also printed communications.
I am thinking of attending a training course offered by another training provider, although I'm not sure if they are approved by Elmhurst?
Unlike some other accreditation schemes, Elmhurst offers a flexible approach to CPD. We do not insist that you come on our own CPD events and we do not charge training companies to get approval from us. So as long as the course is relevant to your CPD plan and is from a mainstream training provider it is likely to meet the Elmhurst CPD monitoring requirement. When we monitor CPD there will be a presumption that Energy Assessors are sourcing relevant material, but we do insist that you document your activities in a CPD plan and that you keep evidence of attendance at events or notes of private structured study.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) FAQs
I have read a book about heating systems, can I claim this as CPD?
My CPD plan contains some non-technical topics, is this acceptable?
What are the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for an Accredited Energy Assessor?
All Elmhurst Energy Accreditation schemes require a minimum of 10 hours CPD per annum to be conducted by the Energy Assessor. Please note that 10 hours of CPD must be completed in order to pass the Accreditation renewal process - this applies across all schemes.
I have read a book about heating systems, can I claim this as CPD?
Simply reading a book is not structured private study and therefore not claimable CPD. However, if you have written a synopsis of the key points to circulate to fellow Energy Assessors or developed an aid memoire on heating systems based on material in the book, that could be valid CPD. You will need to be realistic about the hours of CPD you claim and make sure you keep documentary evidence of your study. Generally, you can expect more questioning by our CPD monitors of "DIY" study activity than is likely for activity based on commercially available training events or DVD study packs.
My CPD plan contains some non-technical topics, is this acceptable?
Elmhurst recognises that CPD can include personal and professional development. So, if you plan to develop your management skills or presentation skills, in addition to keeping in touch with technical energy matters that is fine. However, the topics must have some relevance to the role of an Energy Assessor.
