The Final Version of the Energy Performance Certificate

By Vic Harrison,  ECMK Ltd - 24th June 2006

The certificate states that it has been undertaken by a qualified inspector who has receive 'appropriate training' and processed by a 'Government-approved organisation'. I commend the Government in approving software standards provided by organisations, however, I believe the 'appropriate training' for Surveyors that is presently accepted for the energy section of the certificate falls short of the standards required.

The surveyors name appears on the certificate 5 times and a lot of pressure and responsibility is going to rest with the surveyors after issuing this certificate i.e. when one house scores a result of 80 Band C and the next door neighbour scores a result of 81 Band B, which could have a reflection on the sale price.

There has been a lot of evidence provided over the past 15 years to prove that the training of energy surveyors is crucial to the accuracy of the final SAP result, for example:

• If the same surveyor inputs his survey into all the different 'BRE and Government approved' software, he would get the same result because this software would have been thoroughly checked by the BRE for compliance.
• If several different surveyors with just the present level of 'appropriate training' and no recognised qualification surveyed the same house and input data into the same 'Government approved' software, then evidence shows that you could get wildly varying results.

With only one point difference separating the bands, the home owner may require a re-survey and would be open to malpractice. With several points different, 50 to 66 which would change the results by two bands, the surveyor would have to make sure his professional indemnity covered this and was still valid.

The SAP has been treated indifferently by many in the past but is now becoming a very important criterion. Local Government enforcing officers are now training as SAP Surveyors and may have to stand up in court in the future to justify their findings.

The certificate states on page two what the performance ratings are based on and include fixed lighting, ventilation and number of windows. This is true for a full SAP but the certificate will be based on the RDSAP which does not collect specific data on these and could be questioned by the home owner!

I therefore advise all concerned to re-address their present training and qualification to ensure a thorough understanding before they complete an Energy Performance Certificate.

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