Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Opening up

Options
  • 27-11-2018 12:51pm
    #1
    littleredspot
    Registered Users Posts: 747 ✭✭✭


    Can you tell me when an assessor is viewing a property would they be expected to check in sockets/ down lighters etc for insulation? Similarly if the property owner has no certification for windows or doors would they automatically default to a certain measurement or would they do some investigating? And again likewise for the floor insulation.


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 41,236 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    littleredspot wrote: »
    Can you tell me when an assessor is viewing a property would they be expected to check in sockets/ down lighters etc for insulation?.

    1. no.
    littleredspot wrote: »
    Similarly if the property owner has no certification for windows or doors how would they automatically default to a certain measurement or wold they do some investigating?

    2. They may ask the homeowner if they have data sheets for the doors windows.... generally happens on a new build. On an older window where its expected thats there no documents, a date stamp in the window is important to determine pre or post 2004. Otherwise the default values are applied.
    littleredspot wrote: »
    And again likewise for the floor insulation.
    3. if it cant be seen and measured, or proven by documentary evidence ie photographs, receipts etc, it cant be included. the default value then depends on the age of the dwelling.


    Dont blame the assessor, these are the strict rule sunder which they are audited.


  • Options
    #3
    littleredspot
    Registered Users Posts: 747 ✭✭✭littleredspot


    sydthebeat wrote: »
    Dont blame the assessor, these are the strict rule sunder which they are audited.


    Ah no, not blaming them, just wondering!


  • Options
    #4
    MOTM
    Registered Users Posts: 412 ✭✭MOTM


    littleredspot wrote: »
    Can you tell me when an assessor is viewing a property would they be expected to check in sockets/ down lighters etc for insulation?

    Just to elaborate on this slightly, they're not expected to but it is an option: The Survey Guide for assessors says

    "All dwelling surveys are expected to be non-invasive. Nothing in this document, the DEAP manual or any other guidance provided by SEAI shall be understood as requiring invasive surveys. Where, despite this, BER assessors or their client carry out invasive surveys this is carried out at the BER assessor’s own and the householder’s risk and is not required by SEAI. If invasive survey methods are used such as to demonstrate an applicable nondefault U-value, then, while these methods are not required in the DEAP methodology, they can be considered as a source of supporting evidence. This supporting evidence for each relevant exposed surface must clearly indicate that the non default U-value being specified is appropriate for the building element in question. "

    littleredspot wrote: »
    Similarly if the property owner has no certification for windows or doors would they automatically default to a certain measurement or would they do some investigating? And again likewise for the floor insulation.

    You should expect the assessor to at least ask for supporting documentation though (e.g. for certified data for windows)...it may well be unavailable though. The survey guide says " Defaults from DEAP Appendix S are only to be used where evidence of non-defaults have been sought and are unavailable. Use of substantiated nondefaults is encouraged as it will result in a more accurate BER grade for the dwelling. "


  • Options
    #5
    caesarthechimp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 204 ✭✭caesarthechimp


    MOTM wrote: »
    Just to elaborate on this slightly, they're not expected to but it is an option: The Survey Guide for assessors says

    "All dwelling surveys are expected to be non-invasive. Nothing in this document, the DEAP manual or any other guidance provided by SEAI shall be understood as requiring invasive surveys. Where, despite this, BER assessors or their client carry out invasive surveys this is carried out at the BER assessor’s own and the householder’s risk and is not required by SEAI. If invasive survey methods are used such as to demonstrate an applicable nondefault U-value, then, while these methods are not required in the DEAP methodology, they can be considered as a source of supporting evidence. This supporting evidence for each relevant exposed surface must clearly indicate that the non default U-value being specified is appropriate for the building element in question. "




    You should expect the assessor to at least ask for supporting documentation though (e.g. for certified data for windows)...it may well be unavailable though. The survey guide says " Defaults from DEAP Appendix S are only to be used where evidence of non-defaults have been sought and are unavailable. Use of substantiated nondefaults is encouraged as it will result in a more accurate BER grade for the dwelling. "


    All true.
    Meanwhile, over on this thread, there's a guy who thinks he is going to get all this (because you're unlikely to get a B1 on standard defaults), plus a calculation on how much electricity the particular solar PV array on his particular roof will produce, and all done remotely and/or for €149.
    I suppose as the old saying goes, "you gets what you pays for".


Advertisement