Q&A
When an inspector calls...
In the first of our occasional question-and-answer columns on technical and
professional issues, CIBSE’s team of specialists answer queries around energy
assessments of buildings
Q
A public body occupies a spaceover 1,000m
2
but be covered under your PI insurance if there is later a
does not have any utility bills for the past year. Do challenge to the EPC or DEC and it is found to be based
they still need to produce a DEC?

on inaccurate data. As the energy assessor you are legally
A
The energy assessor should explore all options to liable for data whether you collected it or not.
get data on energy usage. But where that is not It may also be prudent to ask yourself why they are
available s/he will use the default values to produce taking this course of action. If you are
a “default” DEC for the first year. This extract from unsure of the data or the motives of a
Department for Communities and Local Government third party, do not produce the EPC The energy
guidance gives the full explanation: or DEC. Any proven case of wilful
assessor
“The primary need is that you are able to identify all, or deception or fraudulent production
nearly all, of the energy that your building has consumed of an energy certificate is a criminal should explore all
over the 365-day period for which the building will be offence.
options to get data
assessed – called the assessment period. Your assessor
will be asked while carrying out the calculation of the
OR whether at least 95 per cent of the energy used by Q
Is becoming an energy assessor on energy
a good way of insulating myself
usage
the building can be accounted for. If the assessor cannot against the economic downturn?
make that assertion, then the building will be given a
‘default’ operational rating of 200. This indicates a CO2 A
In any recession, the more
qualified and experienced staff are more likely
emissions rate of double the amount typical for the type to be retained in preference to their less experienced
of building selected, and is associated with a grade G colleagues – and this time round seems to be no
label (worst performer).” exception. In fact many building services consultancies
are considering offering energy certificates as part of
Q
I need to produce a DEC, but the tenant has their portfolio of services and are therefore retaining
no details of the floor area. Do I [as an energy staff who are qualified energy assessors, even if they
assessor] have to survey the building? are having to let other employees go. The recession has
A
If there are no plans, then the energy assessor must certainly reduced opportunities in the marketplace, but
measure the building to get the floor area. The floor being qualified to produce DECs may also make you
area is measured as the total area of all enclosed spaces eligible for secure positions within local authorities.
measured to the internal face of the external walls. Clients that do require EPCs are selecting their energy
assessor based on reputation and experience. CIBSE
Q
I am a level 4 energy assessor. I’ve had several members have a distinct advantage over the many EAs
calls from people wanting me to lodge energy who are being accredited through taking a vocational
performance certificates (EPCs) on their behalf. Is this qualification: they are generally experienced and have
legal? the backing of CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessor
A
At the time of answering, it is legal, but with a status, which confirms to prospective clients their wider
few caveats. Any energy certificate lodged by an competence and knowledge.
energy assessor is a legal document and as such must One area where the market for energy assessments
be accurate to the best of their knowledge. Anyone that is still expanding rapidly is air conditioning
accepts data from a third party is therefore urged to inspection, and this is a very low-cost accreditation
make whatever checks they feel appropriate to ensure to achieve through CIBSE. For information on
the accuracy and authenticity of that information before how to become accredited, visit
relying upon it to produce an EPC or DEC. www.cibsecertification.co.uk
You may also wish to consider whether you will or call 020 8772 3668. l
24 CIBSE Journal May 2009
CIBSEmay09 pp24 Q&A.indd 24 5/1/09 2:55:42 PM
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72