A Day in the Life of a Domestic Energy Assessor 7 November 2024

A Day in the Life of a Domestic Energy Assessor: What Does a DEA Do?

A day in the life of a Domestic Energy Assessor usually involves preparing for appointments, travelling to properties, carrying out energy assessments and producing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

During each property visit, the DEA measures the building and records its construction, insulation, glazing, heating, hot water, lighting, ventilation and renewable technologies. They then enter this information into approved software to calculate the property’s energy-efficiency rating.

It is a varied role that combines practical property inspections, accurate data collection, customer service and computer-based work. Here is what a typical day may look like.

Preparing for the day’s DEA assessments

Many Domestic Energy Assessors begin their day by reviewing their appointments. This is particularly important for self-employed DEAs, who may be responsible for organising their own diary, confirming bookings and planning travel between properties.

Before setting off, the assessor may:

• Confirm the property’s address, type and approximate size
• Check that the customer knows which areas must be accessible
• Review an existing EPC or floor plan
• Look for information about extensions or loft conversions
• Ask for documents relating to insulation, windows or heating systems
• Check that their measuring equipment, camera or tablet is ready

Customers will normally be asked to provide access to every room, the boiler, the hot-water system and the loft where it is safe to do so. Preparing the customer in advance helps the assessment run smoothly and reduces the chance of important areas being inaccessible.

The DEA will also make sure they have the equipment needed for the day. This might include a laser measure or tape measure, camera, tablet, torch, ladder and appropriate personal protective equipment.

Obtaining certain information (such as documents regarding insulation) ahead of time can be very valuable since Domestic Energy Assessors conduct non-invasive surveys. This means that the assessor will not drill into walls or remove sections of the building to look for hidden insulation. Therefore, if a feature is hidden, then documentary evidence is the only way it will be reflected in the assessment.

Arriving at the property

When the DEA arrives, they will usually introduce themselves, show identification and explain what will happen during the assessment.

This is an important part of the role. Homeowners and tenants may not know why the assessor needs to enter every room, take measurements or photograph parts of their home. A clear introduction helps put the customer at ease and gives them an opportunity to ask questions.

The assessor may also carry out a basic risk assessment as they enter each new space. They should not enter an area that is unsafe. For example, they may choose not to inspect a loft if its access is directly above a staircase or if there is nowhere safe to position a ladder.

What does a DEA do during a typical property assessment?

During a typical DEA assessment, the assessor completes a visual inspection of the home and records the features that affect its energy performance.

The process can be roughly grouped into three main areas.

Building structure

The DEA measures the property and produces a basic floor plan. Unlike an estate agent’s floor plan, this does not need to show every fixture or describe how each room is used. Its purpose is to record the dimensions needed for the energy calculation as well as some key energy performance features, such as windows and lighting.

The assessor will also record features including:

• The property’s age and construction
• Wall, floor and roof construction
• Floor area and ceiling height
• Extensions, conservatories and roof rooms
• Windows, glazing and draughtproofing
• Accessible loft insulation
• Other visible or documented insulation

These details help the software estimate how heat is likely to move through the building.

Heating and hot water

Heating and hot-water systems have a significant effect on an EPC rating. The DEA will inspect and record:

• The main heating system, such as a boiler or heat pump
• Any secondary heating
• Radiators and heat emitters
• Thermostats and other heating controls
• The hot-water system
• Hot-water cylinder insulation, where applicable

The assessor records the type of system and its controls.

Other energy features

The DEA will also check other features that influence the property’s energy performance, including:

• Fixed lighting
• Ventilation
• Open fireplaces and flues
• Solar panels and other renewable technologies
• Relevant meters, fans and controls

Together, this information provides a picture of the property’s expected energy performance under standard conditions.

Why does a DEA take photographs?

Photographs provide evidence for the information recorded during the assessment. The DEA may need to refer to these photographs in the future for purposes such as:

• answering client queries
• providing evidence for audits carried out by their accreditation scheme
• legal inquiries

This is why accurate record-keeping is such an important part of working as a DEA.

The DEA is interested in the building and its energy features rather than the customer’s belongings. Photographs should focus on the evidence needed to support the assessment.

How long does a DEA assessment take?

A typical property assessment may take an experienced assessor between 45 minutes and two hours. The exact time depends on the size, age, layout and complexity of the home.

A small flat with a simple layout may be relatively quick to assess. A large house with extensions, different wall types, roof rooms or several heating systems will usually take longer.

Restricted access and missing documentation can also affect the time required. However, the assessor should never rush an assessment, as incorrect measurements or missing evidence could affect the final EPC.

What happens after the site visit?

Once the property inspection is complete, it is time to upload the information into the software to create the EPC. Some assessors enter information on a tablet while they are still at the property, however others prefer to complete this part remotely after leaving the site.

So, the DEA may head back to their office for the final part of the assessment – reviewing their notes, measurements, floor plan and photographs and uploading it into the software.

The DEA works through the software, filling in sections one by one until all of the property data has been entered. The software then uses this property data along with standard occupancy assumptions to calculate the dwelling’s energy performance. It produces a certificate known as an ‘Energy Performance Certificate’, or EPC. This EPC includes:

• The current energy-efficiency rating of the property
• The potential rating following improvements
• Estimated energy use and running costs
• The property’s environmental impact
• Recommended energy-efficiency measures
• Indicative costs and potential savings

The DEA conducts one final check of the data before lodging the completed EPC on the official Government’s EPC register. The customer can then be sent a digital link to the certificate.

What is it like working as a DEA?

Working as a DEA can offer plenty of variety. Assessors visit different types of homes, meet new people and every day really is different.

The role suits people who are observant, organised and comfortable working independently. A DEA also needs to be fairly confident using computers since the job involves specialist software, digital photographs, floor plans and electronic records.

Customer service is also important. Assessors need to explain the process clearly, behave professionally inside people’s homes and answer questions about the completed EPC.

Are all DEAs self-employed?

Many DEAs are self-employed and choose their own working hours, prices and service area. A self-employed DEA’s day may include extra tasks such as responding to enquiries, preparing quotes, arranging appointments and managing invoices, as mentioned earlier. However, domestic energy assessment is not always a self-employed occupation. Some DEAs choose to work for energy consultancies, estate agents, housing providers or local authorities.

Could a career as a Domestic Energy Assessor be right for you?

A day in the life of a Domestic Energy Assessor combines practical site work with property knowledge, customer communication and data analysis. It can offer a flexible route into the energy-efficiency industry, whether you want to work for an organisation or build your own business.

Energy Trust’s courses are taught by experienced assessors and prepare learners for the practical and technical parts of the role. If this sounds like the right career for you, why not explore Energy Trust’s DEA courses to become a domestic energy assessor.

Our in-person classroom course is delivered over five consecutive days. Throughout the five days, you will undertake five example EPC projects and complete the full portfolio by the end of the week. This course includes real-life site visits to give you the best start to your career in energy assessment. 

For some, they prefer to learn from the comfort of their own home. In that case, our DEA Distance Learning course is the perfect fit. This course is delivered over three consecutive days during the week in a live and interactive Zoom classroom. Our tutors are happy to answer any questions as they take the students through the course. After the course, each student will produce a portfolio of five example EPC projects, alongside academic assignments.