SAP is the methodology used for assessing new build domestic properties, however, it can also be a very useful tool for assessing improvement measures to existing buildings. Unlike RDSAP, it is possible to model u-value improvements with full SAP, giving a more accurate assessment of the improvements. You can also use full SAP to model accurately the impact of renewable installations for a property.

This one day course goes through the features of Plan Assessor software program, uses exercises  and worked examples to look at the fundamentals of a full SAP assessment. Topics covered will include:

• Introduction to energy ratings (differences between RDSAP and Full SAP)


• Energy units and definitions


• Identifying constructions


• Building fabric, u-values, thermal bridges


• U-value calculations


• Air tightness and ventilation


• Heating systems and controls; cooling systems; hot water systems.


• Renewable energy systems


• Building Regulations


• How to assess an existing building using full SAP & Plan Assessor


• Reports, including Appendix H and Interpreting the results

This training course will be held in Milton Keynes and trained by Mark Sreeves on the:

• 28 February

CPD Hours: N/A

£195 + VAT

It is often said that the surveyor is the “eyes and ears” on site for the legal adviser.  Knowing what is or might be an issue that needs the attention of the legal adviser is not always that obvious.

This course is a one day event and will provide a practical guide to the various legal issues that the surveyor must draw to the attention of the legal adviser in section C of the HCS (and in  the legal section in similar reports).

The course will include how to recognise and potential issues relating to: 

• Tenure and specifically the additional complications of leasehold property


• boundaries


• rights of way, rights of light, way leaves, covenants etc


• extensions and alteration


• planning restrictions including holiday and agricultural restrictions, TPOs etc


• previous land use, mining & archaeological issues


• private drainage


• nuisance


• pollution


• guarantees & warrantees

This course will be run in Milton Keynes on the

• 23 February

Trainer - Ian Brindle

CPD Hours: 6

£75 + VAT NHER/SAVA Members £125 +VAT Non Members

Building Services in SAP 2009/Part L 2010

• How mechanical cooling is assessed in SAP 2009 and its impact on DER by region
• How boiler efficiencies change with the new SEDBUK 2009
• Modelling heat pumps and micro CHP via the Products Characteristics Database
• Conventions for when multiple boilers are present
• New heating controls in SAP 2009
• Carbon Compliance Standard – what it is and when it is relevant

CPD Hours: 2.5

NHER Member £55 +VAT, Non Member £75 + VAT

Part L1A, L1B, EPCs and PEAs 2010

• Part L/SAP calculations compared with heat loss measurements on site
• New legal requirement in Part L for Design Submissions
• When can developers not comply with Part L Guidance
• New CLG Part L/SAP conventions for accredited SAP/Part L assessments
• Documentary evidence requirements for U value calculations, boilers etc
• Transitional arrangements clarified by CLG
• Summary of changes to the TER and DER
• Ways of meeting the new TER
• Confidence factors and their relative impact
• A summary of L1B including conservatories, thermal elements and historic buildings

CPD Hours: 2.5

NHER Member £55 +VAT, Non Member £75 + VAT

RDSAP is changing!

To help you understand the changes we have created a CPD module called ‘Introducing RDSAP 2009’. The CPD contains over 100 slides of important information with visual examples and mini quizzes to assist your knowledge and understanding of the changes. After reading the slides there is a ‘post assessment’ competency test to complete to show you have understood the changes.

This CPD module is free of charge to members and £35 to non members.  It is worth 2.5 hours of CPD towards your annual requirement and , although it is not mandatory, we strongly recommend that that you complete the CPD and assessment before the software changes take place.

CPD Hours: 2 1/2

Free to NHER members, £35 to non members

This one day classroom training event is designed to provide you with a full understanding of the changes to the RDSAP methodology released under version 9.91 and due to be implemented from 1st April 2012 onwards.

The training will involve 'hands on' use of the latest NES EPC software and where possible will include the use of worked examples and checks to support the learning process. The key areas to be covered are as follows:

• Overview and background to the changes
• The new data collection items
• Changes to the data collection process
• New conventions associated with these changes
• Modifications to the EPC format and content

Classroom training offers you the opportunity of direct contact with our training and technical teams at NES and is by definition a more interactive training experience. The use of a dedicated training day allows for a more detailed approach to be employed to support the full understanding of the required material.

This CPD is mandatory learning and cannot be used towards your annual CPD requirement.

Forthcoming dates

The course takes place in Milton Keynes and we have spaces available on the following dates:

• 25 January - Fully booked
• 8 February - Fully booked
• 9 February - Fully booked
• 13 February
• 15 February - Fully booked
• 16 February - Fully booked
• 17 February - Fully booked
• 20 February - Fully booked
• 21 February - Fully booked
• 22 February - Fully booked
• 23 February - Fully booked
• 27 February
• 28 February - Fully booked
• 7 March - Fully booked
• 8 March
• 14 March
• 15 March
• 21 March
• 26 March
• 11 April
• 18 April
• 25 April

External training dates:

2 February 2012 - Altrincham, Manchester - Fully Booked

3 February 2012 - Altrincham. Manchester - Fully Booked

13 February 2012 - Cardiff

20 February 2012 York area, venue and location TBC - Fully Booked 

20 February 2012 Exeter area, venue and location TBC

23 February 2012 Southampton area, venue and location TBC

CPD Hours: 6 hours

The seminar costs £75+VAT Members, £95 + VAT Non Members

This online module gives you an overview of how to gather information from householders on occupant factors and provide basic energy advice.

You will learn how to encourage home owners to change their behavior in the home to reduce energy consumption as well as being able to provide tailored advice on subjects such as grants, impact of tenure and financial constraints.

The module also provides information on what non property specific information could be obtained such as fuel bills, meters, fuel cost calculations and methods of payment.

A separate online training module is available on basic home improvement energy advice.

CPD Hours: 5 hours

£65 + VAT.

Now that we have some Home Condition Reports under our belts, we also have some case studies for claims and complaints!  Referencing those real HCSs, this course will focus applying consistent condition ratings with a particular focus on avoiding costly and time consuming queries and claims (both for the scheme and the surveyors) and how to report on services.

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.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the day delegates will:

• Understand where and why claims can occur and what can upset a home buyer


• Understand how to undertake and record the inspection to minimise future liability


• Understand where claims and complaints have occurred and how these could have been avoided


• Know how to recognise repairs and whether the repairs are appropriate and how to report them


• Understand the current building regulations and other standards as they apply services and how to report accordingly

Forthcoming dates

The course runs in Milton Keynes on the following date:

• 1 February 2012

CPD Hours: 6 hours (see above)

The seminar now costs only £75+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £125+VAT.

Wind energy has been used for hundreds of years. Modern turbines transform the energy from the wind into electricity that can be used to power our common appliances and for lighting. Find out more in this online course.

CPD Hours: 1.5 hours

The course is £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35+VAT for non-members.

This presentation is focused on grid connected photovoltaic systems for domestic and commercial applications. It covers power output and typical installationsm the technology, roof suitability, types of systems, financial considerations and the market for PV.

CPD Hours: 2 hours

The course is £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35+VAT for non-members.

Both Part L and SAP changing at the same time means big changes to calculations and procedures. It is important that all qualified On Construction DEAs reach the required competence; otherwise, there could be errors in EPCs and building regulation submissions.

We have been running introductory workshops on the changes in Part L 2010 for some months, for which delegate feedback has been outstandingly positive.  It is very clear from these interactions with delegates that there is a need for more detailed guidance on many aspects of the changes. So, whilst this package of CPD was written with OCDEAs in mind, we are confident that it will be of interest and use to a wide range of individuals looking to learn more about the changes.

About the CPD package

We are releasing a package of at least four online CPD modules and a competency test. These modules cover everything an OCDEA needs to know to prepare themselves for the new regulations. The CPD modules are all high-quality learning, and can be taken from the comfort of your office or home. They will provide OCDEAs the opportunity to complete the minimum CLG requirement of 10 hours CPD per year.

The online training modules contain a mixture of presentations, exercises and quizzes. Topics covered include thermal bridging, thermal mass, cooling, cavity party walls, air permeability, ADL1A, ADL1B, and a number of new conventions for data entry. The majority of the material is additional to that covered in the recent (free to members) SAP 2009, Part L 2010 and FEES seminars and aims to address many questions raised by our members and others.

The Competence test is compulsory for OCDEAs but optional for non-members. It is, however, a useful tool to help establish that the key elements of the learning have been acquired.

There are four modules:

Thermal bridging and y value calculation in SAP 2009

• Recognising and measuring the individual junctions listed in SAP Table K1, including the difference between the two lintel options.
• What is meant by an ‘identical dwelling’
• What to do when you encounter junctions not listed in SAP Table K1, e.g. exposed upper floors, walls adjoining sheltered spaces (heated and unheated)
• What if your customer is using ACDs for some junctions not others
• When do confidence factors get applied to psi value calculations
• What do if your client gives you psi values they have calculated themselves
• What impact do calculated values have on the DER as compared to  y = 0.08

Part L1A, L1B, EPCs and PEAs 2010

• Part L/SAP calculations compared with heat loss measurements on site
• New legal requirement in Part L for Design Submissions
• When can developers not comply with Part L Guidance
• New CLG Part L/SAP conventions for accredited SAP/Part L assessments
• Documentary evidence requirements for U value calculations, boilers etc
• Transitional arrangements clarified by CLG
• Summary of changes to the TER and DER
• Ways of meeting the new TER
• Confidence factors and their relative impact
• A summary of L1B including conservatories, thermal elements and historic buildings

Building Fabric in SAP 2009/Part L 2010

• Cavity party walls – what is meant by ‘sealing’ and ‘filling’; applicability to timber frame and flats
• Thermal bridging – a brief summary of the changes in this key area, with latest information
• Thermal Mass – how to assess whether Low, Medium or High; how to calculate the thermal mass parameter; the impact of thermal mass on the DER at various insulation levels
• U-values - evidence needed for a  U value to be accepted for a Part L assessment
• Air permeability – new conventions for pressure test values
• Fabric Energy Efficiency (FEE)  – what it is and when it’s relevant

Building Services in SAP 2009/Part L 2010

• How mechanical cooling is assessed in SAP 2009 and its impact on DER by region
• How boiler efficiencies change with the new SEDBUK 2009
• Modelling heat pumps and micro CHP via the Products Characteristics Database
• Conventions for when multiple boilers are present
• New heating controls in SAP 2009
• Carbon Compliance Standard – what it is and when it is relevant

If you purchase the package, we will advise you as the other modules become available and they will appear in your NES Learning account for you to complete.

CPD Hours: 10 hours

The CPD package costs £199+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For non-members, it is £250+VAT.

The latest version of the NHER OCDEA Training Manual (Version 5: May 2011) has been released. It incorporates changes to reflect SAP 2009. The latest Training Manual is free for members to download in electronic format from the "Useful Documents" section of the NES One website. 

If you would like to have a hard copy sent to you, please follow the link below.

CPD Hours: NA

£33.33 + VAT Members £62.50 +VAT Non members incl P & P

This module gives an introduction to the property law in England and Wales. Our laws have been 1000 years in the making and as such, these modules can only provide a brief introduction. However, everyone involved with property should have an understanding of the differing legal terms.

We also have Property Law Part 2.

CPD Hours: 1.5 hours

This module costs £15+VAT for NHER/SAVA members. For all other delegates, it is £25+VAT.

This online course provides you with an overview on how to produce Commercial EPCs using NHER SBEM online. You will gain the knowledge required to ensure you understand every aspect of the process to enable you to effectively and efficiently issue Non Domestic EPCs. This training course is presented by our Technical Support team.

Topics include:

• Adding library items
• Creating zones using the plan view
• Editing envelopes
• Dealing with recommendations
• Lodging the report through NES one

Delivery method and Location

Due to this being an online course, you can be sat at the comfort of your own desk using a meeting tool called GoToMeeting. This works by the presenter sharing their screen with you so that you can see the demonstration on your screen.

In order to hear the presenter you simply dial from any phone (or Skype) into a conference call number and enter the supplied PIN that you receive the day before the course. All that we ask is that you have at least a broadband internet connection and a telephone nearby.

Please note

This online course is designed to demonstrate the usage of the NHER SBEM online system and does not cover any training or information of the SBEM conventions. Typical costs are 6.7p/min+VAT from landlines and 8.5p/min+VAT from mobiles, from anywhere in the UK. The call costs will be shown on your phone bill in the same way as any other call.

CPD Hours: N/A

This course is free, but telephone charges may apply.

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 is £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35+VAT for non-members.

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 is £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35+VAT for non-members.

In this module you will:

• Distinguish between a room in a roof and a separate storey for RDSAP purposes
• Understand how the access to the roof space is important
• Understand how to deal with non-habitable rooms in an occupied roof space
• Know how to record the insulation and the dimensions to take when measuring an occupied roof space

CPD Hours: 2 hours

The course is £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35+VAT for non-members.

The course will cover the implications for an Estate Agent and how that may impact on those working in the marketed sales sector DEA. Examples of what is permissible and what is not, including verbal information that an assessor may impart to a customer.

CPD Hours: 2 hours

The course is £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35+VAT for non-members.

This module will deal with the history of non-standard construction, how and when it came about, as well the social and economic climate that existed - helping you to understand what building was occuring at the time, thus giving clues to identification.

CPD Hours: 3 hours

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

This CPD module is intended as a refreshe/update for existing L3 and L4 CEAs.

In particular it provides detailed information on chilled ceilings, chilled beams and displacement ventilation, 'mixed-mode' operation strategy for HVAC, a reminder on how to combine data entry for separate heating and cooling systems in the same zone and the associated SBEM data for all three.

L4 CEAs will find it a useful refresher module, and L3s considering an upgrade to L4 will get a good indication of the type of sophisticated systems they will need to be familiar with at L4. An in-depth self-assessment is provided.

CPD Hours: 2 hours

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

In this module we will consider a number of different types of guttering and downpipes commonly to be found on properties in the UK.

The subjects covered include:

• The problems that may occur to them (both generally and specifically)
• How to inspect gutter systems and what to look for
• The methods of repair, and factors to consider when contemplating replacement
• The different types of guttering and the types of guttering and downpipes used in older buildings

CPD Hours: 3 hours

The course is £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35+VAT for non-members.

This module is intended to provide Level 3 and Level 4 Commercial Energy Assessors with a more in-depth understanding of the recommendations procedure associated with building energy assessments carried out using SBEM – the Simplified Building Energy Model.

The main objectives of the module are to provide a full understanding of the protocol SBEM uses to generate recommendations, and to reinforce the understanding of the presentation of associated recommendation reports provided by the SBEM assessment method.

The module is interactive and incorporates a number of iSBEM exercises to assist with the learning process. The iSBEM files provided with this module are at version 3.3.c, an Accreditation Scheme beta test version current at the time of production. Assessors will need to convert these files to iSBEM version 3.4.a. (due for public release soon) in order to proceed with the exercises.

CPD Hours: 3 hours

The course is £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35+VAT for non-members.

By taking this module, you will understand:

• The principles of reinstatement cost calculations and to understand how this differs from value
• How to use BCIS online
• How to deal with unusual features and to recognise when a property falls outside the scope of BCIS
• How to model flats and how to deal with shared facilities and services
• How to deal with grounds and when to allow for specific features

CPD Hours: 2.5 hours

The course is £25+VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35+VAT for non-members.

A comprehensive overview of lone working, risks, hazards and how to keep yourself safe.

CPD Hours: 3 hours

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

This course gives you a comprehensive overview of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations, legislation and common hazards relating to COSHH products

CPD Hours: 2.5 hours

The course is £25 +VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35 +VAT for non-members.

Identify what constitutes an alternative wall – when it should and shouldn’t be recorded, identify alternative wall construction, accurately measure alternative walls.

CPD Hours: 1.5 hours

The course is now half price at £25 +VAT for NHER/SAVA members & £35 +VAT for non-members.

Both Part L and SAP changing at the same time means big changes to calculations and procedures. It is important that all qualified On Construction DEAs reach the required competence; otherwise, there could be errors in EPCs and building regulation submissions.

We have been running introductory workshops on the changes in Part L 2010 for some months, for which delegate feedback has been outstandingly positive.  It is very clear from these interactions with delegates that there is a need for more detailed guidance on many aspects of the changes. So, whilst this package of CPD was written with OCDEAs in mind, we are confident that it will be of interest and use to a wide range of individuals looking to learn more avout the changes.

The online training modules contain a mixture of presentations, exercises and quizzes. Topics covered include thermal bridging, thermal mass, cooling, cavity party walls, air permeability, ADL1A, ADL1B, and a number of new conventions for data entry. The modules will be released during August and September 2010 starting with a substantial module on thermal bridging and calculating y values. The majority of the material is additional to that covered in the recent (free to members) SAP 2009, Part L 2010 and FEES seminars and aims to address many questions raised by our members and others.

The Competence test is compulsory for OCDEAs but optional for non-members. It is however a useful tool to help establish that the key elements of the learning have been acquired.

Thermal bridging and y value calculation in SAP 2009

These CPD modules will take a staggered release. Thermal bridging and y value calculation in SAP 2009 is the first available module. Topics covered include:

• Recognising and measuring the individual junctions listed in SAP Table K1, including the difference between the two lintel options.
• What is meant by an ‘identical dwelling’
• What to do when you encounter junctions not listed in SAP Table K1, e.g. exposed upper floors, walls adjoining sheltered spaces (heated and unheated)
• What if your customer is using ACDs for some junctions not others
• When do confidence factors get applied to psi value calculations
• What do if your client gives you psi values they have calculated themselves
• What impact do calculated values have on the DER as compared to  y = 0.08

Part L1A, L1B, EPCs and PEAs 2010

• Part L/Sap calculations compared with heat loss measurements on site
• New legal requirement in Part L for Design Submissions
• When can developers not comply with Part L Guidance
• New CLG Part L/SAP conventions for accredited SAP/Part L assessments assessments
• Documentary evidence requirements for U value calculations, boilers etc
• Transitional arrangements clarified by CLG
• Summary of changes to the TER and DER
• Ways of meeting the new TER
• Confidence factors and their relative impact
• A summary of L1B including conservatories, thermal elements and historic buildings

Building Fabric in SAP 2009/Part L 2010

• Cavity party walls – what is meant by ‘sealing’ and ‘filling’; applicability to timber frame and flats
• Thermal bridging – a brief summary of the changes in this key area, with latest information
• Thermal Mass – how to assess whether Low, Medium or High; how to calculate the thermal mass parameter; the impact of thermal mass on the DER at various insulation levels
• U-values - evidence needed for a  U value to be accepted for a Part L assessment
• Air permeability – new conventions for pressure test values
• Fabric Energy Efficiency (FEE)  – what it is and when it’s relevant

Building Services in SAP 2009/Part L 2010

• How mechanical cooling is assessed in SAP 2009 and it’s impact on DER by region
• How boiler efficiencies change with the new SEDBUK 2009
• Modelling heat pumps and micro CHP via the Products Characteristics Database
• Conventions for when multiple boilers are present
• New heating controls in SAP 2009
• Carbon Compliance Standard – what it is and when it is relevant

If you purchase the package, we will advise you as the other modules become available and they will appear in your NES Learning account for you to complete.

CPD Hours: 10 hours

The CPD package costs £225+VAT for HBF members.