What to Expect During an Assessment

The survey will involve;

• Inspection of meters (gas and electric)
• Inspection of wall construction and any insulation (internal, external or cavity) the assessor will also measure the wall thickness.
• The DEA will need to determine whether the floor is suspended or solid. Documentation will need to be provided to evidence any floor insulation.
• The windows will be assessed. Newer windows will generally have a date stamp on the frame. Draft proofing will also be checked.
• The heating system will require identification, normally a newer combi system will have a GC number which the assessor can use to identify the make and model. The heating controls will also be noted.
• Loft insulation thickness will be measured. If the loft is inaccessible or boards are covering the insulation, documented evidence will need to be produced otherwise the insulation will be assumed.
• Now knowing how the heat arrives (e.g boiler) and how the heat escapes ( floor, wall and roof) the Domestic Energy Assessor will carry out a floor plan to create a model and measure the volume of the property to determine how much space is being heated.

Other things that the assessor will take note of are;

1. The number of habitable rooms (e.g. Living Room, Bedroom.
2. If the habitable room is heated by a fixed heating source.
3. How much of the lighting is energy efficient?
4. Bathrooms and showers.
5. Conservatories
6. Any renewables such as solar panels or wind turbines.
7. Secondary heating such as a gas fire
8. Any other special features that may be included