Insights blog

FEES: Too easy, too hard, about right?
Dyfrig Hughes

No promises, but the wait for the finalised SAP 2009 and Part L should be over soon! The finalised documents are expected by 1 April, leaving 6 months for Accreditation schemes to get their SAP software updated and ready for a 4 October launch. The imminent election is not expected to scupper this, as long as the civil servants get it out in time.

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Game changers?
Brian Scannell

Rockslides can start with just a single pebble and there have been several developments this week, any one of which could result in a significant change in the landscape.

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HEA RIP, or rising HEMS?
Brian Scannell

I’ve been very critical of the way the Home Energy Advisor role was undermined before it ever saw the light of day.

Back in late 2007 when the idea first emerged, the HEA was to be an evolution of the DEA role. Extra knowledge and skills were considered necessary to better equip DEA to provide face-to-face advice to homeowner - in particular those who weren’t planning to move home, but wanted to reduce the energy wasted within their home. An excellent idea.

Then things started to go wrong and seemed to keep going wrong.

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So where have all the DECs gone?
Brian Scannell

DECs are a great idea. Unlike EPC they provide clear information to the occupants of a building about how their energy use compares with that of others.

What's more, the regulations require that the DEC be renewed annually and the new certificate will clearly show whether energy use is improving or getting worse. Since the certificate must be displayed in a public area, the expectation is that this will encourage occupants to take their energy management more seriously.

CLG are to be congratulated for having the courage to implement DEC.

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2009: EPCs in numbers
Brian Scannell

I like data. Sad perhaps, but I tend to think it is more use than wishful thinking and I trust it rather than the words of politicians – although I admit that isn’t much of a hurdle!

So I thought I’d share with you some data on the energy assessment market in 2009. Let me know if you find it useful and I’ll make sure we issue updated information as and when we can.

Alternatively, as they say on the Saturday night news, if you would prefer not to know the scores, now is the time to look away.

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