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. Read more about NES accreditation.

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. See our reange of CPD courses for energy assessors.

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

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, and suspended in May 2010.

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. Read more about the SAVA Certification Scheme for Home Inspectors.

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. Read more about the NHER energy efficiency rating.

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).