EPC - Goalposts moved again...

[Energetic]

Been told by our DEA today that their governing body is insisting that do a second site visit to confirm that panels have been installed. Photos, MCS certificates etc are NOT acceptable. This has effectively doubled the cost of an EPC to us as many of our jobs are marginal and we need an indication before we commit to the install.

Phoned another DEA and got the same response. They had a warning this week apparently that will be struck off if they do not do a second site visit.

Anyone else heard this?

 

[BruceB]

Yes. Read:
http://www.electriciansforums.net/p...y-forum/59598-epc-new-guidelines-issuing.html

 

[Energetic]

I see, well spotted...:redface:

 

[Earthstore]

Why not just find one that will do it without a second visit, who will know if they have been there twice, or maybe driven past to see some panels on the roof.
Also I understand that the "rules" vary depending on who they are registered with.

 

[Gavin A]

it's a complete pile of p00 is what it is, and probably illegal IMO.

the EPC assessor is allowed to accept stuff like the paperwork from an insulation firm as evidence that cavity wall or internal insulation has been carried out, so there should be no reason at all why they shouldn't also be allowed to accept an MCS certificate and photo from an accredited solar PV company as evidence that the solar PV system has been installed.

IMO this is all just another method of them trying to stop companies sending the paperwork in prior to an install being completed as the FIT deadline approaches.

 

[whinmoor]

Why not just find one that will do it without a second visit, who will know if they have been there twice, or maybe driven past to see some panels on the roof.
Also I understand that the "rules" vary depending on who they are registered with.

I think they require date-stamped photos as evidence that everything has been observed on the same visit.

 

[Earthstore]

Best I give up with my suggestions then.....

 

[sedgy34]

lol the TORIES doing there very best to kill it off what labour introduced




WHY NOT HAVE EPC DONE ON INSTALLATION DAY

 

[whinmoor]

WHY NOT HAVE EPC DONE ON INSTALLATION DAY

What if the property still isn't a band D after the PV is working and included on the EPC?

 

[sedgy34]

you dont have to be DEA to work out if its going to pass or not and if it doesnt get a D you start looking at draught excluders and loft insulation, and a thermal insulation round the hot water tank if its not got one.

 

[Energetic]

you dont have to be DEA to work out if its going to pass or not and if it doesnt get a D you start looking at draught excluders and loft insulation, and a thermal insulation round the hot water tank if its not got one.

Still have to have them out after that...

This looks to be another attempt to reign in the rogue solar companies, problem is they will still get round it and legitimate companies have to charge more to their customers or take another hit.

This is a strong case for us to get qualified as a dea ourselves if it wasn't such a pain in the rectum. Anyone considering the assesor course?

 

[Noshocks]

With the low install numbers now my decision to not blow £1,500 or more on training was a wise one in my opinion, it takes a lot of £45's to justify the cost, and its actually less than that as your time is freed up, there are so many DEA's scratching around for work with such low prices that even two visits is not an unreasonable cost.

 

[babba]

So If the house gets a D without the PV the DEA has to do a second survey with the panels on the roof ?????

 

[Gavin A]

So If the house gets a D without the PV the DEA has to do a second survey with the panels on the roof ?????

no, you can submit the original EPC without the panels included if you want.

 

[babba]

no, you can submit the original EPC without the panels included if you want.

Thanks Gav I read a similar thread last week and I thought thats what it said but thanks for clearing that up.

Suppose before long you will need a camera to look inside walls a photos of the energy saving light bulbs and the loft insulation.

O what a load of

 

[Energetic]

no, you can submit the original EPC without the panels included if you want.

Of course the dclg recommend you submit another to accurately reflect the current state of the house... Do the dea's pay per submission?

 

[whinmoor]

It costs around £5-£7 to lodge an EPC.

 

[Gavin A]

Of course the dclg recommend you submit another to accurately reflect the current state of the house... Do the dea's pay per submission?

yeah well, I recommend they take a very long walk off a very short pier unless they're covering the costs of their extra pointless bits of paper.

 

[Eco Deal]

This is correct you will require a second visit to confirm the panels are there , Id say emailing the MCS cert and a picture is enough evidence but NO second visit required do not even have to enter house.

Well I am glad I do my own EPC'S ....... apart from in Scotland

 

[Eco Deal]

you either need photo evidence or documentry for a EPC

 

[sedgy34]

That is correct my ePc guy just called me to let me know of the changes but it's only for the property's that don't reach a band D so revisits will be chargeable so add it on the cost as customer will have to pay for it.

 

[sambotc]

Where's the logic?

Why else would you want to achieve a band D + specifically? Also what solar company would be stupid enough to pay for an EPC to be lodged before they carry out the installation?

I can't see what this is trying to achieve other than the point Gavin raised re: deadline

 

[moggy1968]

well, it provides double the work for the assessors, who it would appear there are rather a lot of at the moment and who are a bit short on work!

 

[sambotc]

well, it provides double the work for the assessors, who it would appear there are rather a lot of at the moment and who are a bit short on work!

Unlike solar installers....

 

[Energetic]

well, it provides double the work for the assessors, who it would appear there are rather a lot of at the moment and who are a bit short on work!

I've spoken to 4 DEA's in the last few days locally and they are all busy and don't want this extra running around. They are in a competitive industry and doing the same thing twice feels like a waste of anyones time, particularly if travelling is involved.

We are going to have to work with several over our 'patch' which is quite small in comparison to what some of you lads are covering...

That said it is going to double the revenue of the DCLG from solar. Another body trying to get in on the solar goldmine (just it's a typical government department - a year late).

 

[Eco Deal]

why would it double the revenue for a body !!!

The DEA visits before the install and does a EPC DRAFT copy no cost to submit .

if its a D great submit EPC without panels so customer get higher tariff.

if it falls below a D ??? ask your DEA to add the solar power system size on to draft copy ! hopefully the panels will bring it to a D

if this is the case --- do install then DEA revisits to confirm panels are there

SIMPLES -- epc only gets submitted once not twice.

 

[jason121]

Does any feel that the govt dont want PV

 

[sedgy34]

Labour introduced it Tories trying to get rid of it

 

[Energetic]

why would it double the revenue for a body !!!

The DEA visits before the install and does a EPC DRAFT copy no cost to submit .

if its a D great submit EPC without panels so customer get higher tariff.

if it falls below a D ??? ask your DEA to add the solar power system size on to draft copy ! hopefully the panels will bring it to a D

if this is the case --- do install then DEA revisits to confirm panels are there

SIMPLES -- epc only gets submitted once not twice.

The guidence recommends doing the whole thing twice due to insurance cover etc. As you do your own it may not be applicable as you're unlikely to take legal action against yourself and can be a bit more flexible. The DEA's we have spoken to so far are not willing to be flexible on this as they have been threatened by their governing body.

If you are contracted to assess whether the property is already Band D prior to the install, or to identify any measures additional to the proposed PV system that would need to be installed in order to achieve a Band D, we strongly recommend that you issue an EPC to reflect the property on the date of this initial inspection. This will ensure that you have proper insurance cover and an audit trail in the event of any future dispute arising.

Please note that if you do end up producing “before” and “after” installation EPC, you cannot re-use photographs or other evidence from the initial EPC in support of the post-installation EPC. For QA purposes, each EPC is considered to stand alone and must be fully supported by evidence as specified in the scheme rules.

Read more: http://www.electriciansforums.net/p...epc-new-guidelines-issuing.html#ixzz1zuz9jo6x
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