What is a Retrofit Assessor?
Are you familiar with retrofitting but not quite sure what the role of Retrofit Assessor is? This is the article for you!
Over the past few years concerns about climate change and the need for energy-efficient homes has sharply increased. And with good reason, under the Climate Change Act 2008 the UK needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. To meet the UK’s government climate change targets, all homes must be retrofit to an EPC band C standard by 2035. This means the need for Retrofit Assessors is becoming crucial to help ensure a greener future.
So in the first part of this series about all things retrofitting, let’s explore what a Retrofit Assessor even is, the importance of PAS 2035 in their role, and the qualifications you should look out for if you’re considering hiring one to assess your home.
Whether you’re a homeowner looking to make your home more energy-efficient or considering a career in this crucial field, this article is your primer for all things Retrofit Assessor.
The role of Retrofit Assessor at a glance:
To put it simply, a Retrofit Assessor is an individual qualified to assess homes that require energy retrofitting. And the term ‘retrofitting’ describes the process of making improvements to your home, so it becomes more energy efficient with lower emissions.
They play a crucial role in the PAS 2035 process, a framework established to ensure that retrofitting work for existing properties meets government standards.
Retrofit Assessors will assess a property – gathering data about a property’s condition, energy efficiency, among other metrics, which will enable the Retrofit Coordinators to craft an improvement plan specific to the home they’re assessing.
How does PAS 2035 fit into the Role of a Retrofit Assessor?
PAS 2035 is the framework that sets out industry standards for the assessment, design, and installation of energy retrofit projects. This framework is followed by all retrofitting projects in the UK.
The Retrofit Assessor fits into this framework by conducting the initial assessment that forms the basis for all subsequent actions in the retrofit process.
The Core Functions of a Retrofit Assessor:
The core of the Retrofit Assessor role is to perform an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) survey as well as a Condition Survey on a property.
The surveys collect essential data on the property’s current state, which then enables the Retrofit Coordinators to create an improvement plan bespoke to the property. The plan will take into personal needs such as time and budget as well. Suggested improvements often include, for example, improving insulation of walls, floors and lofts, upgrading of windows and doors and may include renewing services such as heating, hot water and lighting.
A part of their role is also to look for indicators of damage including dampness – which can negatively affect future energy-efficient upgrades. Any damages discovered will then need to be fixed to allow for any retrofitting changes to be made.
What are the Qualifications of a Retrofit Assessor & why are they important for you to understand?
When looking to hire a Retrofit Assessor understanding the qualifications needed to perform this role will help you to choose an informed and competent professional. The qualifications are structured in tiered levels to suit the various roles and career advancement pathways. Please refer to the list of qualifications below:
Level 2 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit: If you’re working in a trade such as plastering, heat pump or solar panel installation, this award will be beneficial to those looking to move into a domestic retrofit advisory or coordinator role.
Level 3 Award in Domestic Retrofit Advice: If you’re interested in becoming a Retrofit Adviser or are starting on your path toward becoming a Retrofit Coordinator this Award will be beneficial to you. The Level 3 Award in Domestic Retrofit Advice will focus on customer interaction and providing independent advice on retrofitting and what it means for your properties.
Level 3 Certificate in Domestic Retrofit Advice: This qualification is perfect for new entrants to the industry who don’t have prior experience but are interested in becoming a Retrofit Assessor. Furthermore, it will be beneficial for those in roles such as Green Deal Advisor, and similar.
Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment: Level 4 focuses on surveying properties and preparing detailed reports in line with a Retrofit Coordinator’s specifications.
Level 5 Diploma in Retrofit Coordination and Risk Management: This is for environment professionals looking to manage retrofit projects and is a more advanced qualification. Aligned with UK Government’s PAS 2035 specifications, this qualifications enabled learners to become Retrofit Coordinators.
What’s next?
So, what is a Retrofit Assessor? We hope we’ve been able to help you better understand the answer to this question. If you require retrofitting assessment services, please get in touch with Eco Assessment Solutions, we’d be happy to help you explore your options.