Energy Consultant

covey09

Hi,
We are currently designing our self build, we are at the stage to spec out the heating requirement for the house. We will be going down the airtight spec (as best we can). Whats is the norm here does the our Engineer (haven't discussed it with him but i know he doesn't do BER) work out this out for us or do we need to hire an Energy consultant do work this out for us. Any advise would be great
Thanks
Covey

Calahonda52

The heating requirement calculation and the BER calculation are done on two different basis, so a BER guy/gal may be able to both, however my experience is the folk who do the BER don't do the heating demand calc.

In passing, if you are going MHVR who is doing that math?

covey09

Calahonda,
That one of my reasons why i think i need a Energy consultant to do all the maths for me. Or i could take a punt at doing it myself.....im joking

mrsWhippy

We hired an energy consultant because I was having the same difficulties myself. We wanted to get the best airtight values possible and get a resulting low energy house, but despite the support our architect showed, I felt I wasn't getting the right guidance around detailing and spec'ing heating and ventilation. I wanted someone who would take a holistic yet independent view of the house, taking into account insulation, airtightness, windows etc, and then deal with the resulting heating and ventilation requirements, and then who would also give us independent advice on suppliers of said systems, analysis of quotes etc.

I feel now having consulted with this guy, that we have a lot more direction and am happy that we will have the right input at the right time (during building, and then installation of systems and finally commissioning), in conjunction with our architect and engineer.

Calahonda52

mrsWhippy wrote: »

We hired an energy consultant because I was having the same difficulties myself. We wanted to get the best airtight values possible and get a resulting low energy house, but despite the support our architect showed, I felt I wasn't getting the right guidance around detailing and spec'ing heating and ventilation. I wanted someone who would take a holistic yet independent view of the house, taking into account insulation, airtightness, windows etc, and then deal with the resulting heating and ventilation requirements, and then who would also give us independent advice on suppliers of said systems, analysis of quotes etc.

I feel now having consulted with this guy, that we have a lot more direction and am happy that we will have the right input at the right time (during building, and then installation of systems and finally commissioning), in conjunction with our architect and engineer.

thats all fine and dandy as long as everyone is clear on the separation of duties and responsibilities and crystal on the different skill sets required for all the big topics you mention in one long sentence:D:D

a_noodle_jenny

Calahonda52 wrote: »

thats all fine and dandy as long as everyone is clear on the separation of duties and responsibilities and crystal on the different skill sets required for all the big topics you mention in one long sentence:D:D

What he said
We got an independent person too, every decision gets ran by him and he meets with tradesmen on site regularly.