Why use an Energy Assessor?
It is always better to use someone who is qualified and experienced for most things, with assessing energy consumption in a house, there are a lot of things which cannot be un-done easily, such as the walls and roof.
Estimators
There are useful estimators available which can guide you in the right direction for energy assessments, however, the SAP system used by energy assessors is a well thought out system, developed over several years.
The problem with most other systems is that they do not gather enough data and are primarily used as a tool to sell you goods or services and the focus therefore is in one direction.
What is so different?
EPCs base the results by collecting several data items, based on the home as a whole, with the sole intention to provide the home owner with information. If you choose to act on that information, then you can expect to save money and reduce your carbon impact.
Can I do my own?
Most people are capable of measuring their home and making judgements on wall construction and the various other pieces of data required in making an energy assessment, however, in order to learn to be more specific with each piece of information would take a long time to ensure the data is correct.
Experienced energy assessors have already learnt to identify the significance of each piece of data and can complete the energy performance certificate with much more accuracy. It is only qualified energy assessors who can issue an EPC, and as indicated earlier, there are some home evaluation type tools which can be useful, but not as thorough or meaningful since the output is for selling rather than advising.
What is so good about your EPC?
An EPC will give valuable information on all parts of the home, and friendly energy assessors are able to answer your questions in a more specific and impartial way than a salesman or sales orientated web site.
But that is not the whole story
The way each person lives has implications outside of statistics. Statistics can only generalise, whereas an individual can see what the realities are. For instance; if you are a single person living in a home and shower once a day in the morning, have a dishwasher and washing machine that only has a cold input, solar panels may not be the best solution to your hot water requirements. If you spend six months a year in Australia, the circumstances are very different.
Impartial energy advice
Only an impartial person can give the best judgement based on experience and knowledge. They can evaluate what is going on, even based on inaccurately given information; with the best will in the world, we often offer up the information we think is required and not asked.
I have heard it all before, blah blah blah
The bombardment of information purporting to be eco-friendly does not always help when making choices as we can largely become quite apathetic and close our ears when given important pieces of information. There is no doubt that the Earth is going through some changes, whatever the arguments. The lifestyle of the inhabitants of Earth are having a big impact; the disposable culture we have created, is shrinking the planet, the continual contamination of land and water can only be bad for the eco-system.
Questions?
While I am an energy assessor and want to supply my services as an energy assessor, selling EPCs, it is from wanting to do my bit for the environment that I started and continue the training so that I can give the best advice possible. I have had past, future and present customers as well as non-customers ask for advice; so if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.
