Retrofit Assessor Training Module 4 Notes

Energy Reports, RD SAP to SAP Converter, and Occupancy Reports

Introduction

• Module 4 focuses on energy reports, the RD SAP to SAP converter tool, and occupancy reports within the Retrofit Assessor training, providing a comprehensive understanding of their applications and importance.

• Upon joining the Retrofit Assessor accreditation scheme, a "Retrofit" tile is displayed on the home screen, offering access to three key options: RD SAP to SAP converter, occupancy assessment, and condition report. This facilitates streamlined access to essential tools for retrofit assessments.

Retrofit Assessment Reports

• A comprehensive retrofit assessment consists of three essential reports:

  • Occupancy assessment: Evaluates how occupants use energy within the property.

  • Condition report: Details the existing condition of the property, identifying potential issues.

  • Energy report or EPC: Provides an overview of the energy performance of the property.

Energy Report Data Collection

• Data collection can be efficiently conducted using either the RD SAP GO app or the desktop application, offering flexibility for assessors.

• Prior to the assessment, it's crucial to contact the homeowner to gather detailed information about the property, including:

  • Age of the property: Affects insulation and construction methods.

  • Alterations or extensions: Can significantly impact energy performance.

  • Room in the roof additions: Requires specific attention due to heat loss potential.

  • Documentary evidence (warranties, certificates, invoices): Provides verified details about installed systems and materials.

  • Heating and hot water systems: Essential for understanding energy consumption patterns.

  • Fuel bills for the last 12 months (essential for occupancy assessment): Offers a concrete basis for assessing actual energy usage.

EPC vs. Energy Report

• Retrofit assessors are required to be qualified domestic energy assessors with thorough knowledge of the RD SAP methodology to ensure accurate assessments.

• Assessors must decide, in consultation with their coordinator, whether to create an EPC or simply collect data for an energy report, considering the specific needs of the project. The implications of creating a new EPC, especially with regard to post-work assessments, should be carefully evaluated.

• The data set for both is identical, but the choice impacts subsequent steps, especially concerning post-work EPCs.

Key Areas Requiring Particular Attention in RD SAP data collection for Retrofit Assessment

Extensions and Alternative Walls

• In contrast to standard EPCs, retrofit assessments require that all areas of alternative wall, regardless of size (even less than 10%), and all extensions are meticulously accounted for; RD SAP conventions that permit otherwise should be disregarded.

• The coordinator must be informed of all areas of alternative wall to determine appropriate external wall insulation considerations, as different mitigating circumstances or products may be necessary.

• If the RD SAP methodology cannot adequately factor in alternative walls, comprehensive notes must be included in the condition report.

• For small extensions featuring differing roof or wall construction, the coordinator must integrate these details into their assessment.

Openings: Doors and Windows

• Selecting "typical" for window area is inadequate for retrofit assessments, as the coordinator needs specific information about all windows, including their locations, types, and sizes.

• To enable detailed measurement and recording of each window, select "much more or much less than typical."

• Record the following details for each window:

  • Glazed area (including the frame): $A_{glazing}$

  • Type of double glazing: $double_glazing_type$

  • Frame type: $frame_type$

  • Glazing gap: $glazing_gap$

  • Location (building part): $location$

  • Orientation (crucial for overheating considerations, especially south-facing glazing): $orientation$

Floor Plan

• While basic EPC floor plans suffice for standard assessments, retrofit assessments demand a greater level of detail to facilitate accurate modeling and analysis.

• The coordinator requires:

  • Detailed dimensions: Length, width, and height of each room $(\text{in meters})$.

  • Sitting heights: Especially in rooms with varying floor levels.

  • Room heights in every room: $h_\text{room} \text{ (in meters)}$.

  • Areas of alternative wall: Documented with precise measurements.

  • Labeled building parts and rooms: Consistent naming conventions.

  • Positioning of windows, doors, and services (hot water cylinder, boiler, bathroom, kitchen layouts, cookers, showers, baths, toilets, washbasins): Precise locations noted on the plan.

  • Detailed key: Explaining all symbols and notations used.

• Acceptable formats:

  • Well-drawn hand-drawn floor plan: Clearly labeled and dimensioned.

  • Software like PlanUp (integrates with RD SAP Go on iOS only): Facilitates digital floor plan creation.

Photographs

• More detailed photographs are necessary for retrofit assessments compared to basic EPCs, capturing all relevant aspects of the property.

• Include:

  • Elevations showing openings: Windows and doors from all sides.

  • Extensions: Clearly showing how they integrate with the original structure.

  • Areas of alternative wall: Documenting materials and construction details.

  • Access issues: Highlighting any challenges for retrofit work.

  • Heating systems and controls (even if excluded from the assessment): Providing a comprehensive view of the property's systems.

• If additional photos cannot be integrated into the RD SAP app, they should be included in the condition report.

RD SAP to SAP Converter Tool

• The RD SAP to SAP Converter Tool is accessed via the retrofit tile on the home screen and is an essential component for detailed energy modeling and analysis.

• PAS 2035 guidelines recommend employing a full SAP data set to accurately model potential improvements, ensuring comprehensive and reliable results.

• This tool enables the conversion of RD SAP input files into equivalent full SAP XML files, facilitating advanced analysis.

Using the Converter Tool

• Begin by completing the RD SAP assessment, generating either an EPC or an energy report.

• Import the data into the converter tool to create a full SAP XML file, which can then be used in specialized software.

• The coordinator can utilize this file in software like Design SAP to model various improvement scenarios.

• Steps:

  1. Select "Add New Assessment."

  2. Enter address and details (date of conversion) accurately.

  3. Choose from existing RD SAP surveys or import XML data directly.

  4. Importing data is streamlined if you've already completed an EPC or energy report.

  5. Select the appropriate survey from the list to automatically import the XML data.

  6. Alternatively, import the XML file directly (note: must be from Elmhurst inputs).

  7. Submit the data to initiate the conversion process.

  8. The resulting SAP XML file will then be available for download, ready for further analysis.

Benefits of the Converter Tool

• It enables coordinators to accurately model specific dwelling improvements and changes.

• It allows for overwriting assumptions made by RD SAP software, such as air tightness and thermal bridge values, to refine the analysis.

Occupancy Assessment

• The occupancy assessment compares standard RD SAP assumptions with actual energy use, providing insights into how occupants actually consume energy.

• It goes beyond heating, hot water, and lighting to collect data on white goods and heating patterns, offering a comprehensive view of energy consumption.

• It builds a picture of actual energy use and aims to reconcile this with bill data to facilitate accurate financial calculations and savings estimations.

Process

1. Complete the energy report or EPC to establish a baseline for comparison.

2. Import the data to pre-populate fields in the occupancy assessment, streamlining the data entry process.

3. Collect any remaining occupancy assessment data required to fill in the gaps.

4. Complete bill reconciliation, which is crucial for comparing the predicted energy use with actual consumption.

• Data is collected through a rolling screen process with a menu on the left, guiding assessors through the required information.

• Information is gathered from the energy report, visual inspection, and conversations with the homeowner, providing a holistic understanding of the property and its occupants.

Standard RD SAP Assumptions

• Heating: The standard assumption includes heating the living area at 21 degrees and the remainder of the dwelling at 18 degrees, with heating active for nine hours a day on weekdays and sixteen hours a day on weekends.

• Hot water: Assumptions are based on a notional number of occupants linked to the floor area, without considering individual usage patterns.

• Lighting: Usage is linked to the notional number of occupants based on the floor area, without accounting for energy-efficient lighting or actual usage.

Occupancy Assessment Data Collection

• Accurate answers are critical for matching the question set, ensuring the reliability of the assessment.

• Inquire about water usage habits (baths, showers) and how the property is heated to understand actual consumption patterns.

• Collect information about appliances like tumble dryers, cold appliances, and cooking equipment to comprehensively assess energy use.

• Bill reconciliation allows for a comparison between anticipated and actual energy usage, highlighting discrepancies that need further investigation.

Starting an Occupancy Assessment

• Select "new survey" to begin with a blank screen, ready for data input.

• Populate the inspection date and select the survey from existing RD SAP data to pre-fill known information.

• This imports the address and standard assumptions like the number of heated habitable rooms and heating system details, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Water Usage and Occupancy Details

• Report the actual number of people living in the property (sleeping there > half the year) to establish an accurate basis for water and energy consumption calculations.

• Collect precise details about the number of showers (mixer, pump, or electric) and baths taken per day, selecting the most frequently used option to represent typical usage.

• If details about water usage are unknown, the software will make baseline assumptions based on the number of occupants identified, which may not reflect reality.

Heating Details

• Select heating as defined by the EPC to facilitate a direct comparison between the assessment and the EPC data.

• Ask about heating patterns and temperatures during winter to understand actual heating behavior.

• If there are two main heating systems, identify the one that serves the larger proportion of the dwelling as the primary system.

• Record the proportion of heat used in each habitable room (fully, partially, or not heated) to understand localized heating practices.

• Name each room consistently to ensure clarity and ease of reference throughout the assessment.

Living Room Temperature

• The standard assumption is 21 degrees, but you can select from 15 to 25 degrees to reflect actual settings.

• Account for how the living area would be set during winter to understand occupant preferences.

• If the thermostat is outside the living room, add 3 degrees to the set temperature to compensate for the difference.

• If there's no room thermostat, it should be marked as unknown, and the software will make a default assumption.

Heating Pattern

• Record precise details about when the heating comes on and off to accurately capture heating patterns.

• Implement alternate heating patterns if heating schedules differ for weekdays and weekends to reflect real-world conditions.

• Add up to four different on/off time periods for each day in fifteen-minute intervals to provide a detailed heating schedule.

Cold Appliances and Cooking Appliances

• Gather detailed data about tumble dryers, fridges, freezers, and cookers to assess appliance-related energy consumption.

• For tumble dryers, provide the percentage of clothing dried throughout the year to reflect actual usage.

• Count the number of operable fridges, fridge freezers, and standalone freezers to evaluate energy consumption.

• Record the type of cooker (standard, large, or range) and the fuel used (gas, gas and electric, or electric) to determine appliance efficiency.

Bill Reconciliation

• Bill reconciliation requires specific bills to input utility amounts accurately, ensuring precise calculations.

• Typically, model two bills: one for electricity and another for the primary heating fuel (gas, LPG, or oil) to cover the main energy sources.

• The report can be completed without bill data, but this significantly reduces its accuracy and usefulness, limiting its practical application.

• To complete bill reconciliation, select "add new" and then specify the fuel type to begin entering the relevant data.

• Input details regarding tariffs, meter readings, and standing charges from the energy bill.

• Twelve months' worth of detailed bill data, including energy volume and cost, is needed to perform an accurate reconciliation.

• Bill data must directly relate to the current household for accuracy.

• Actual meter readings are more reliable than customer or estimated readings.

• Kilowatt per hour unit cost conversions from weight or volume of fuel delivered are necessary when those measurements are known.

Community Heating and Microgeneration

• If heating is metered in community heating systems, input the units consumed and the price per unit to calculate energy costs accurately.

• If there is a flat rate that is unrelated to consumption, bill reconciliation should not be entered for these properties.

• The software automatically includes standard assumptions for electricity consumption, such as 50% for photovoltaics, 40% for micro CHP and hydro, and 70% for wind turbines. These figures are already integrated, as the energy generated and the percentage used in the property are accounted for in the EPC data.

Third Party Disclosure and Scenario Creation

• Disclose any financial interest the assessor has in the property to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.

• Create a scenario to compare with the energy report and select the same recommendations the EPC generated to provide a comparative analysis.

Results and Report Submission

• The results section displays both assumed and actual energy usage, allowing for a direct comparison.

• It provides a list of recommendations and a comparison between assumed and estimated savings.

• Preview the report and save it as a PDF to ensure that the layout is correct and there are no errors or omissions in the data collection prior to submission.

Occupancy Assessment Summary

• The occupancy assessment captures information about how the homeowner or occupant uses the property to provide a more realistic energy profile.

• It provides a more accurate view of expected savings from potential improvements, enhancing the reliability of the assessment.

• It allows the coordinator to compile a more accurate plan with benefits tailored to the specific circumstances of the occupants and property.

• Although not specifically required for RiskPath A jobs, the occupancy assessment is mandatory under RiskPath B and C under PAS 2035, ensuring comprehensive assessments for higher-risk projects.