Retrofit Assessments Across
Northumberland
We offer Retrofit Dwelling Assessments to Retrofit Coordinators
Qualified PAS2035 Retrofit Assessors accredited via Trustmark registered scheme (Stroma). With 10 years experience working as both domestic energy assessors and on-construction domestic energy assessment. Based in Leicester City we cover England & Wales with great availability to suit the occupants as required.
A highly detailed assessment of the dwelling will be conducted prior to any of the retrofit works, and MUST be carried out by an accredited retrofit assessor. The scope of the assessment varies depending upon the risk path designated by the co-ordinator, the number of improvement measures and type of building involved.
As part of the assessment an rdSAP (energy performance survey) will be conducted, along with an occupancy survey that takes a look at the actual usage of energy from the occupants with regard to heating and hot water rather than the general assumptions made by rdSAP, to give a more tailored result of energy consumption and improvements to the occupants.
A condition survey report must be produced, whilst this is purely an observation based assessment it looks for any signs of defects that may affect installed measures and would need to be fixed or assessed further by specialists prior to installation. For example penetrating damp caused by faulty rain water goods (guttering).
Once the retrofit assessment is completed a comprehensive report will include the energy report, condition report and occupancy assessment to be evaluated by the retrofit co-ordinator.
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The Process – Step by Step
Once you have instructed us to conduct the retrofit assessment we will contact the occupier prior to the site visit and ascertain the following information:
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Approximate age of the property.
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Number and age of extensions and any supporting documentation, e.g building regulation plans.
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Documents for rooms in the roof. – Sign off documents
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Warranties and certificates, e.g. cavity wall and loft insulation, solar panels, extractor fans, boiler, hot water cylinder.
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Last 12 months energy bills – gas and electricity.
We ask that this information is ready for the assessor upon arrival as these are crucial in helping us make an accurate assessment of the retrofit needs of the property.
Energy assessment, survey, floor plan and collection of evidence.
While conducting a normal EPC survey inc. measurement of all glazing, we will move through the property carrying out measurements of the rooms, walls, windows, doors, and photographing most of what we see.
The information collected is recorded in detail on the floorplan and will be carried out in all rooms including the roof and loft space internally and externally.
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Condition assessment.
As we carry out measurements we will be making further notes and recording information about the condition inside and outside of the building from an energy retrofitting perspective.
Any issues such as damp, mould, cracks, leaking gutters and roofs are noted, photographed and recorded in the report.
Ventilation assessment is important in a retrofitting assessment so we will pay particular attention to things such as the condition of extract fans and windows to see if they are in working order.
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Occupancy assessment.
We interview the occupants to determine the level and extent of energy use in the property and any issues they have with this.
We use tact and discretion to find out the information required whilst remaining objective and explaining the rationale behind the need to collect as much accurate information and data.
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The final report.
Following this we head back to the office to continue calculations required, upload evidence collected, reconcile energy bills and produce the final report using Stroma’s software.
We lodge the final report on the Data Warehouse and provide a copy to the Retrofit Coordinator. It is expected that the coordinator will liaise with relevant professionals such as a designer to produce a retrofit plan which is best suited to the client’s home.
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Roles Within the PAS2035 Framework
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Retrofit Advisor – Any competent person throughout the whole process
Retrofit Assessor – Certified Role (That's Us)
Retrofit Installer/s – Certified Under PAS 2030
Retrofit Evaluator – Certification TBC
Retrofit Co-ordinator – The over-arching responsibility from design, throughout, completion and handover. (Certified Role)
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What is residential retrofit ?
It’s taking a whole house, fabric first approach to improving the energy efficiency of existing dwellings under PAS2035. It can include a number of measures ranging from improving insulation, heating systems, ventilation and air quality and renewable technologies whilst taking into consideration any current defects such as damp, mould and condensation issues.
These improvements may be undertaken on a room by room basis over period of time or the whole dwelling in one shorter period. With the aim of lowering energy bills and reducing fuel poverty and reducing Co2 emissions.
This plan of approach will be undertaken by the retrofit Co-ordinator who makes an initial risk assessment of the property and from this determines the PAS2035 risk paths A, B or C.
They are responsible for over-seeing the project and team from design, implanting the changes and final review on completion and hand-over.
Following the result of risk paths B or C a retrofit dwelling assessment report must be completed by persons who are both a qualified DEA (domestic energy assessor) and a Trustmark certified retrofit assessor. The retrofit assessment can be completed by the retrofit co-ordinator or retrofit assessor for risk path A.
The newly published PAS2035 document essentially sets a prescribed course of action to be followed by the whole design team to ensure those set goals are achieved. PAS2030 is the other existing standard for the installation teams to follow. With the aim of avoiding higher than expected energy bills, and unintended outcomes such as condensation and mould after making improvements.