Choosing an accreditation scheme as a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or as a Non Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA) is an important step, but not quite as important as choosing the right one. There are many different schemes out there with different rates, different focuses and different strengths. How do you go about choosing the right one for you so that you can lodge your Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) correctly and with peace of mind?
Even with the changes in the current regulations strengthening quality there are a lot of accrediting bodies out there in the market. Some are long established in the energy sector, others have recently diversified into the sector, some will have even won awards, but all of them have been approved by the relevant government bodies.
The most important starting point for anyone looking for an accreditation body is research. It takes time but it is important to do it correctly. If you find a scheme that you are interested in go look at the company website and read around. Find out what they do and what their background is. Check what they have to say and how they can help you.
What they can do for you is the key point of choosing an accreditation body. Obviously you want one that complies with the quality regulations and you have to be part of one to be in the industry, but you should find the one that is focussed around what you want.
This is the next step; to identify what you are interested in. Most of the accrediting bodies will offer training and training courses, being a member should entitle you to discount. Others offer dedicated technical advice and help. Others front end software functionality that will help to get more from undertaking EPCs, especially those who are involved in Non Domestic EPCs.
When you are doing your research into a potential accreditation body don’t limit yourself to just reading the company website and their literature. There are several industry professional bodies that encourage DEAs to join, whilst not accreditation schemes, these can be great places to find out more information on the accreditation bodies you are looking at. See what other energy assessors have to say and which bodies they rate, but always remember everyone has their own opinions. You might even find that your research leads you to other potential schemes you hadn’t even heard of.
Some accreditation bodies run special offers designed to get you to sign up. Sometimes this is reduced lodgement fees, or other such bonuses. These offers are fine, but make sure that you read the small print and are aware of what will happen when the free period expires, or the cost commitments that might be ongoing. Equally be sure that you know what is expected of you to qualify for these deals, such as minimum level of EPC lodgements over a period of time.
Check to see how flexible your potential accreditation body is. Do they offer to include Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurances per lodgement? Do they give you the option not to have these insurances as long as you have a main policy yourself? How about annual renewal fees? Or perhaps access to Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training?
Here’s a final thought. Don’t think you have to lump all your accreditation into one scheme, most are free to join, so try them out over a period of time. You might find a preference or even a scheme you use for one product and a scheme you use for others. You might also find you are encouraged to join a particular scheme by a supplier or panel. Multiple accreditations are a common factor in the industry but in the end it’s about what is right for you.
Choosing an accreditation body is not a matter of just picking a random name, especially not if you want to make the right choice for you. Before you came into the industry you undertook research into the training and becoming an assessor, so take the right care when you come to choose an accreditation body. Remember, you’ll probably be with them for a long time, so make sure they are right for you. Work out what you want, what you need and you’ll find the right one for you.
Written by Symon Silvester of SAS EPC Limited.
If you can team up to produce more EPC volumes then the better, more expensive, accreditation companies may be prepared to offer discounts beyond those they publish. It’s worth doing some research.
A very good article and one that all energy assessors, be they domestic or commercial should read and act on.
The Institute of Domestic Energy Assessors welcomes membership from all involved in the industry.
We are there to provide guidance through knowledge and experience of our membership who have accreditation across all the schemes.
There is not a ‘one size fits all’ to any of the schemes and people need to make ‘informed’ judgements.
Our members forum is open to ask questions of relevance or concern about any accreditation scheme.
We also post the various scheme ‘offers’ to their membership, scheme fees, CPD requirements and a host of other information that is relevant when choosing an accreditation scheme.
The advice given is impartial, as we have said, what works for one might not work for another but information is key to making the right decision
i feel the EPC industry is now spolied by the Estate Agents because dea,s and cea, spend lots of money to be trained up and people are pricing the epc as low as £20-00 i think its disgusting how the estate agents are behaving
To all the Energy Assessors who sit back, expecting to receive leads at an instant…. you only have to blame yourselves for the lack of jobs out there.
Get out, spread the word, create unique websites with amazing content and people will start to listen. If you stick a half decent site on, and leave it, then nothing will happen.
To the above post about how Estate Agents are behaving disgusting… I don’t see how? Yes they may add £20-30 on top a an EPC job… but, why wouldn’t you? They still deal with paperwork, invoices, its just an admin fee.
You should try speaking to the Estate Agents rather than talking down on them, as you might just start getting some leads. Certainly worth a shout.
Sam
I took up the DEA profession hoping to continue my retirement living my high standard as a Marine Engineer at sea.
What with coyboy DEAs doing the jobs for £10 and the Estate Agents to pander to them no self respecting DEA has a chance of survival.
The money spinners are the Training Institutes and they should be the one talking to the Government that EPCs should be necessary every year and NOT this 10 year period. Things change in months leave alone years. In this way everyone has a bite of the big apple!
J.J.
Never mind the do’s and don’t, what would be really useful on say, IDEA website would be an information matrix on the ABs
We know the main players are:
NHER–NES, Elmhurst, Stroma, ECMK, BRE, Northwood?
so tabulate them on one axis, and then have Features for comparability
along the Other axis.eg
Name /Details
Size
Location
Owned by: eg Kingfisher-B&Q
Associated with:
CEO:
Training Courses
Accred fee
Cost of Upload EPc
On Construction
etc
ProActivity in industry
Accessibility:
Support Rating:
Lodgement software rating
etc
Now we can collate info and really have a useful feature.
I’ve sadly not time sadly/ skills/aptitude.
We could then feed in info
I , for example have been very disappointed with the AB’s over the
Holiday Let Issue which should have been challenged by each.
I will say though that at least I was afforded info and response by Brian Scannell of NES, who is very good at responding to any question – fair dos
On the other hand NES are lousy at marketing and merchandising,
whereas STROMA are very good at this, and have very attractive tariffs.
I have only had two contact points with BRE – not impressed at all
anybody else