EPCs - what does the DEA assess

As a domestic energy assessor the first thing I do when I go to a property is explain to the client what I am looking at and why, what the finished EPC will look like and what their responsibilities are with regard to the recommendations.

This is what a DEA is assessing during their visit to your property:

• The year of property construction
• Walls and roof construction
• Signs of wall-cavity insulation
• Energy-saving "green" devices (such as solar panels, for instance)
• Number of double glazed windows and when installed
• Number of open or closed fireplaces
• Make and model of boiler and the type of flue and fuel used
• Number of low energy light-bulbs
• Type of heating system used and controls (wall thermostat etc...)
• Roof insulation and thickness.
• Measure the thickness of the hot water cylinder jacket or foam.
• Check for excessive window area in larger houses and take measurements of conservatories and extensions.
• Note the number of habitable rooms that are heated.
• Measure the internal or external areas of the home.
• Sketch and make notes relating to home and room layout

The measurements taken are to work out the floor area and the HLP (heat loss perimeter) of the property.

A DEA is not looking for damp, or movement or how clean the house is - with 3 small children at home I never notice!

The EPC when produced is 6 pages, the graph which most people are familiar with and then the recommendations based upon the data collected during the assessment. These recommendations can, if they are taken, really help save money on your energy bills.