Glossary

ABBE – the Awarding Body for the Built Environment, an awarding body for qualifications which is an off-shoot of the University of Central England.

Accreditation Scheme – an organisation authorised by Government to register qualified Energy Assessors; this is a mandatory requirement to practice as an energy assessor. Accreditation Schemes oversee the work of all member Energy Assessors.

Assessment - judging the quality of evidence and work performance against the requirements of the National Occupational Standards (NOS).

Asset Skills – the sector skills council for the property, facilities management, housing and cleaning industries. Its remit is to improve and develop skills in these sectors.

Candidate – someone working on an Energy Assessor qualification (VRQ); akin to a student in college or university.

CPD – Continuous Professional Development. The process whereby a professional will always be learning and keeping up to date with developments.

DEA – Domestic Energy Assessor. The name given to individuals who can produce EPCs for existing dwellings, other than Home Inspectors.

EPBD – the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which among other things requires the provision of EPCs whenever buildings are constructed, sold or rented out.

EPC – a report produced following an energy efficiency assessment. The EPC illustrates the energy rating and the environmental impact of a property. EPCs are now required for all building types in England and Wales and the requirement is usually triggered when the property is put up for sale, or where there is a change of tenancy or change of use.

HCR – Home Condition Report, a component of the HIP, which on the 18 July 2006 was made a voluntary component of the HIP (previously it had been mandatory).

HCS – Home Condition Survey, a helpful, jargon-free and easy-to-understand condition survey report for people preparing to buy a home. Designed by National Energy Services.

HIP – Home Information Pack, introduced in England and Wales on 1 June 2007.

Home Inspector – licensed to produce full HCRs, a component of which would include an EPC. Home Inspectors need to hold the Diploma in Home Inspection and be registered with a Home Inspector Certification Scheme.

NES – National Energy Services; the parent company of both NHER and SAVA.

NHER – National Home Energy Rating scheme. Owned by National Energy Services, it is the UK’s first and largest quality assured energy rating scheme.

NOS – National Occupational Standards. These are statements of the skills, knowledge and understanding needed in employment and clearly define the outcomes of competent performance.

QCA – Qualification and Curriculum Authority, the government body responsible for national qualifications.

SAVA – the sister organisation of NHER, providing software, training, assessment and business services for Home Inspectors. SAVA is owned by National Energy Services.

VRQ – Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ). Similar to a NVQ.  It is competence based and achieved through a process of assessment and examination. The competences required are defined in the National Occupational Standards (NOS).