This module will help ensure that NHER Assessors are applying consistent conventions and producing reliable U-value calculations for walls.

Wall types covered include:

• Masonry - Solid and Cavity with an empty cavity, full fill insulation or partial fill
• Timber frame - Timber studs, Timber studs with cross battens and Timber I studs.

You will draw vertical/horizontal sections for 4 construction types, work out the number of layers, bridges and corrections needed, enter these constructions into a U Value Calculator and compare your results to ours.

It is accompanied by a Q&A session to further test your knowledge. You will need access to the NHER U Value Calculator during the module, an alternative calculator can be used as the principles covered will be the same, although screen layouts will differ.

This module is aimed at OCDEAs, NHER Plan Assessor users and anyone who uses a U Value Calculator. The module is not suitable for DEAs.

CPD Hours: 2.5 hours

The course costs £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £35+VAT.

Why you should attend

The NHER has devised a short one-day training course for OCDEAs and NHER Plan Assessors that will give practical guidance on how to demonstrate compliance with Part L1B.

The course explains the requirements in detail, covers straightforward alterations and extensions, and then goes on to deal with complex situations, such as combinations of extension and renovation, over-glazed extensions and cases where compliance has to be demonstrated by 'trading off' carbon dioxide emissions using SAP 2005.

The course includes case studies of real projects and advice about how to approach complex projects, making best use of NHER Plan Assessor software. It runs from 10am to 4pm, and includes lunch.

Delegates will understand:

• The requirements of the Building Regulations, Part L1B (2006)
• How to assess and demonstrate the compliance of alteration and renovation projects
• How to assess and demonstrate the compliance of extension projects
• When it is appropriate to use SAP assessments to demonstrate compliance by 'trading off'
• The complexities of listed buildings and how to overcome them
• How to present Part L1B compliance assessments to Building Control

Forthcoming dates

• 10 February 
• 7 April 2010 
• 19 May 2010 

CPD Hours: 3 hours

The course costs £250+VAT.

This course is currently unavailable. It is being completely rewritten to take into account the forthcoming SAP 2009 changes.

CPD Hours: 2.5 hours

The course costs £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £35+VAT.

During this interactive module you will:

• Learn the definition of the six Levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes with respect to CO2 emissions - Ene 1
• Explore what specifications are required to achieve Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 in houses
• Understand the constraints on the types of renewable energy system that can be used
• Calculate the amount of electricity that needs to be generated at Level 6 to offset the assumed use of cooking and appliances
• Look at different definitions of a zero carbon home.

For maximum value you will need access to NHER Plan Assessor during the module. A follow–on module will go on to look at flats and community heating issues.

CPD Hours: 2.5 hours

The course costs £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £35+VAT.

This module looks at ways of achieving the carbon dioxide emissions requirements of the intermediate levels of the CSH (3, 4 and 5) for flats and maisonettes, including examples of what is typically required, and how NHER Plan Assessor can be used to confirm that the design will achieve this standard.

It also aims to provide an understanding of the implications of the design of new build flats of the current definition of a 'zero carbon home'.

CPD Hours: 2.5 hours

The course costs £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £35+VAT.

Use of wood as a fuel is on the increase. Why is wood a good fuel to use? How does its use relate to carbon emissions? The course looks at the different appliances that are suitable for burning wood along with their costs and implications.

CPD Hours: 2.5 hours

The course costs £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £35+VAT.

This module will help ensure that NHER Assessors are applying consistent conventions and producing reliable U-value calculations for floors.

Floor types covered are ground bearing slabs and suspended floors, including beam and block, concrete plank and timber floors.

This Floors module includes 13 worked examples for you to complete and compare to the correct answers, in addition to summaries of the background theory, key conventions and procedures for correct data entry.

It is accompanied by a Q&A session to further test your knowledge. You will need access to the NHER U-value Calculator during the module; an alternative calculator can be used as the principles covered will be the same, although screen layouts will differ.

This module is aimed at OCDEAs, NHER Plan Assessor users and anyone else who uses a U Value Calculator. The module is not suitable for DEAs.

CPD Hours: 2.5 hours

The course costs £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £35+VAT.

In this module you will indentify different heat-loss roofs, learn how to interpret specifications for different roof types, and learn about repeating thermal bridges.

You will also learn about corrections to U-value for air gaps, fixings, loft hatches and recessed downlights.

It will also cover conventions for measuring roofs and how to use the NHER U-value calculator for different roof types.

CPD Hours: 2.5 hours

The course costs £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £35+VAT.

The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) became operational in England in April 2007 and a Code rating for new build homes became mandatory from 1 May 2008 (though developments where notice or plans were received by a local authority prior to 1 May 2008 are exempt).

This training day provides an introduction to the Code for Sustainable Homes with a particular focus on the energy credits that can be assessed using NHER Plan Assessor software. It includes exercises using the software to identify ways of achieving the CO2 emissions requirements of the intermediate Levels of the CSH (Levels 3, 4 and 5), with examples of what is typically required to achieve these levels, and the credits for low and zero carbon technologies.

It will also cover the latest position regarding the evolving definition of a ‘zero carbon home’ and the proposals for updating the CSH in line with the new Part L1A of the Building Regulations that are expected to be introduced in October 2010.

This is a one day course. We will not issue CPD certificates and attendees should self-certify, but as a guide this should account for between 4 and 6 hours CPD.

Who should attend

To qualify as a CSH assessor you need to undertake 3 days training and pass a technical exam.  This course is presented by an expert CSH trainer and assessor and is ideal for anyone who is considering CSH training or who just needs to have an understanding as to how it works and how it may develop in future.  (Please note that purchase of this one day training course does not contribute to a full CSH course or cover any of the assessment costs.)

On the day you will cover the following:

• A basic introduction to the CSH – how it works, the key issues that arise in practice, the definition of the six Levels of the CSH with respect to CO2 emissions, etc.
• What is required to achieve levels 3, 4, 5 of the CSH in terms of the typical specifications required for energy efficiency and low carbon energy systems.
• Information to give you an understanding of the constraints on the types of renewable energy system that can be used, and the other additional requirements (e.g. HLP < 0.08) for Level 6.
• Use of NHER Plan Assessor to confirm that the design of a dwelling will achieve CSH standards with respect to energy and CO2 emissions (focusing in particular on Ene 1 and Ene 7).
• To discuss the alternative ways that may be used to define ‘zero carbon homes’ and how and why these differ.
• To provide up-to-date information on the likely changes to the CSH in 2010.

CPD Hours: 4 hours (see above)

This one-day course costs £75+VAT.

Go beyond the EPC

Delegates will go far beyond the limitations of the EPC to look at different insulation materials, how to improve floors, and consider the use of renewable technologies.

A lively and interactive day

During the course delegates will carry out exercises looking at the cost of the improvement vs. the carbon saving. It will make you into a first-class energy assessor and give you a deep understanding of the technicalities and the ability to use software to carry out very technical scenarios.

Delegate feedback from a recent seminar:

• 100% of delegates think the seminar was value for money
• 100% of delegates would recommend the seminar to a colleague

Gain new business skills

By gaining these skills, you will have the ability to work with architects and building professionals carrying out refurbishment and looking for ‘greener’ properties.

There are a growing number of people looking to improve the energy efficiency of their home, and this type of work is likely to command a higher fee. You might consider offering a new service to a local builder who is carrying out home improvement work.

How is the day structured?

The day consists of presentations followed by two interactive workshops using NHER Plan Assessor software.

• Informative presentations You will first consider the critical challenge of improving the UK’s existing housing stock to meet national carbon dioxide emissions reduction targets, and the scale of the emissions reductions that are required. These presentations will cover the principles of low-carbon refurbishment, and the available specification options – including the building fabric, building services and renewable energy systems.
• Housing Improvement Workshop Delegates will investigate appropriate improvement specifications for a range of typical dwellings.
• Cost and Carbon Savings Workshop Delegates will evaluate a large number of improvement options for a typical dwelling in terms of capital costs and carbon dioxide emissions savings.

CPD Hours: 3 hours

The course costs £95+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £150+VAT.

A low carbon economy

Where is the quest for a low carbon economy leading us? How do you go about designing a low carbon home from scratch? This course will show you how.

Our Plan Assessor software is a valuable tool allowing you to model all the different energy improvement scenarios to meet a low carbon specification.

A lively and interactive day

During the course delegates will carry out exercises looking at the cost of the improvement vs. the carbon saving. It will make you into a first-class energy assessor and give you a deep understanding of the technicalities and the ability to use software to carry out very technical scenarios.

Gain new business skills

At the end of the course, delegates will have gained experience that should help them advise prospective clients on what the low carbon future has in store in terms of building design, and be able to advise on achieving low carbon in the most cost-effective manner.

How is the day structured?

The day consists of presentations followed by an interactive workshop using NHER Plan Assessor software.

• This interactive course starts with a review of the emerging energy standards for low carbon housing, by looking at the forthcoming editions of the Building Regulations in 2010 and 2013 and the Code for Sustainable Homes.
• These presentations will cover the principles of low-carbon design, a look at low carbon building fabric solutions, how to deliver low carbon heating, hot water and ventilation and the use of renewable technologies.
• Delegates will then go on to look at best practice standards such as the AECB Carbon Lite standard and Passiv Haus.
• Low carbon at low cost? In this interactive workshop, candidates have the opportunity to use the NHER’s Plan Assessor software to improve a typical dwelling to meet a low carbon specification. Candidates will also take part in a task to design a low carbon home at the lowest possible cost.

Forthcoming dates

• 23 February
• 24 March

CPD Hours: 3 hours

The course costs £250+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £300+VAT.