Domestic Energy Assessor

What to expect when a Domestic Energy Assessor comes to your property

What is a Domestic Energy Assessor?

Every Domestic Energy Assessor / DEA will have their own order and format of carrying out the EPC depending on the software that they use and their personal preference for efficiency.

 

Most Domestic Energy Assessors will carry out the EPC on a purpose-built and approved app on their tablet or phone. Through the app, they will input their findings and take photos as evidence. Some  DEA’s will use handwritten forms and a digital camera to capture evidence.

 

The survey will involve;

  • Inspection of meters (gas and electric)
  • Inspection of wall construction and any insulation (internal, external or cavity) the assessor will also measure the wall thickness.
  • The Domestic Energy Assessor will need to determine whether the floor is suspended or solid. Documentation will need to be provided to evidence any floor insulation.
  • The windows will be assessed. Newer windows will generally have a date stamp on the frame. Draft proofing will also be checked.
  • The heating system will require identification, normally a newer combi system will have a GC number which the assessor can use to identify the make and model. The heating controls will also be noted.
  • Loft insulation thickness will be measured. If the loft is inaccessible or there are boards covering the insulation, documented evidence will need to be produced otherwise the insulation will be assumed.
  • Now knowing how the heat arrives (e.g boiler) and how the heat escapes ( floor, wall and roof) the Domestic Energy Assessor will carry out a floor plan to create a model and measure the volume of the property to determine how much space is being heated.

 

Other things that the assessor will take note of are;

  1. The number of habitable rooms (e.g Living Room, Bedroom.
  2. If the habitable room is heated by a fixed heating source.
  3. How much of the lighting is energy efficient?
  4. Bathrooms and showers.
  5. Conservatories
  6. Any renewables such as solar panels or wind turbines.
  7. Secondary heating such as a gas fire
  8. Any other special features that may be included
When complete the assessor will upload the EPC to the government's online register where the Energy Performance Certificate can be accessed.