Green Deal Portfolio Contents Page

This document outlines the format the portfolio must be submitted to Stroma Certification.

Examples of certain documents can be found on your resources icon on the One File system

Specific reference needs to be made to the DEA portfolio evidence requirement document.

The candidate is expected to clearly divide each section and arrange the portfolio in this order.

Task 1

  1. Provide a signed and completed skills scan(this can be found in the resources section of One File)
  1. Provide an up-to date CV
  1. Provide copies of any certificates such as DEA and personal development (up-skills) certificate.

Task 2

Assignment A

The following provides a list of knowledge and understanding requirements for the portfolio candidates are required to give comprehensive answers to all the questions listed:

Undertake occupancy assessments and give advice

  1. Specify the definitions and conventions that apply to the prescribed methodology for occupancy assessment.
  2. Identify the requirements and components of the Codes of Practice or other guidance applying to the home visit and its Impact on the service delivered to the customer.
  3. Identify the performance and durability of materials and systems over time.
  4. Describe the functioning of building services where this relates to energy performance.
  5. State the definition of a household in Fuel Poverty.
  6. Explain how to recognise households at risk of being in Fuel Poverty.
  7. Identify the types of poor health typically associated with energy inefficient housing.
  8. Identify the limits of own expertise in relation to Fuel Poverty and possible health outcomes.
  9. Describe the landlord’s responsibilities for compliance with legislation and obligations regarding property standards and energy efficiency in housing.
  10. Explain the role and obligations of Certification schemes in respect of auditing records of inspection findings.

Prepare and issue domestic Green Deal Advice Reports

  1. Identify common areas of potential uncertainty or insufficient information which could affect value attribution.
  2. Identify the implications for domestic Green Deal reports and energy efficiency measures when the conventions used in Green Deal assessments change.
  3. Describe how to ensure that data is inputted correctly and how to review data if the calculation will not process.
  4. Explain how any future intentions for work on the property will affect the selection and ordering of work on energy efficiency measures.
  5. Describe how to use approved software to generate energy efficiency measures that are bespoke to the property and its current occupier. And the function of the EPC and how this contributes to the green deal process.
  6. Describe the consequences of making inappropriate suggestions for energy efficiency measures.
  7. Describe how the approved software generates energy efficiency measures and estimates their cost savings.
  8. Explain how to adjust estimated savings in accordance with the occupancy assessment to provide an indication of how actual savings may differ from standard estimates.
  9. Explain what is meant by the Green Deal Principle (Golden Rule) and how it is calculated, including that the cost of energy efficiency measures used in the calculation could change.

Explain the Green Deal Advice Report to the domestic customer

  1. Explain which energy efficiency measures have the greatest impact on the energy performance of a building, and explain them that can be funded through the green deal funding scheme.
  2. Describe the benefits of installing energy efficiency measures as a package.
  3. Describe the importance of the sequence of installation.
  4. Describe how estimates are arrived at and how robust they are.
  5. Describe for how long estimates will be valid.
  6. Identify the different circumstances and special requirements of rural customers, for those off the gas grid and those living in traditional buildings. and explain the ways in which green deal operates for those off the gas grid and those living in traditional buildings.
  7. Identify the specific advice needed on implementing the recommendations which may have to be provided.
  8. Identify the sources of further information and advice.
  9. Explain the funding options available and the eligibility requirements of the Green Deal finance package.
  10. Identify the features, characteristics and eligibility criteria of alternative energy efficiency programmes outside the Green Deal.
  11. Identify how to access funding for alternative energy efficiency programmes outside the Green Deal.
  12. Establish the critical factors for the customer in deciding which measures to pursue including economic and personal circumstances.
  13. Identify ways of creating a clear demarcation between the independent and impartial stage of the process and the declaration of any links to providers and/or suppliers.

Assignment B

Produce 4 EPCs with the following attributes.

(the 5th EPC will be provided by STROMAand used for the witnessed assessment)

Note: Where an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor is bringing forward EPCs produced as part of their work as the basis of their evidence for this qualification, these EPCs must:

Conform to the first three columns of the property grid found below:

Be produced using RdSAP version 9.91 or later

Be less than 12 months old

Be based on a property that has not been altered in any way

1920
(with solid walls)
At least one property / 1920 - 1950
At least one property / 1950-1980
(inc system-built)
At least one property / Post-1980
N/A
Detached / Simulation Building
Semi-Detached / 25 Chaloners Road
Terraced / Butler Street / Low Street
Flat / Francis Court

Where applicable, from the five properties used, learners should select the THREE properties whose EPCs offer themost opportunity for Green Deal measures, including the property that could potentially qualify for ECO funding.

Candidates need to supply a covering letter stating which property’s out of the four provided they are taking forward for the occupancy assessments. This letter must include statements on why certain properties were discounted and other properties were selected.There is a template for this in the one file resources section.

Where EPCs are not available to meet all of the above, further EPCs will need to be produced to form the basis of the evidence for these units.

Where applicable, from the five properties candidates should select the property whose EPC offers most opportunity for Green Deal measures. This property should be used as the basis of evidence presented whenever ONE set of evidence is required.

Task 3

Assignment A

  1. Produce an initial contact form.
  1. Produce an initial letter and information sheet to the client with a green deal overview, the letter and information sheet must include the following items:

Letter content

  1. Describe the role of Green Deal in improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption
  2. Identify sources of information about Green Deal and how they are accessed by customers
  3. Identify who is eligible for the Green Deal and the restrictions that apply
  4. Identify the different types of tenure which affect the status of individuals
  5. Identify the different processes to be undertaken relevant to different types of tenure
  6. Explain how the Green Deal is financed and repaid
  7. Explain the Golden Rule and its role in establishing the financial offer in Green Deal
  8. Explain the ways of providing impartial advice and recommendations within Green Deal
  9. Explain the legal safeguards available to customers in relation to mis-selling, credit agreements and redress for complaints
  10. Inform the customer of their rights and protections under law in relation to Green Deal
  11. Explain the permissions, consents and disclosure requirements operating in relation to Green Deal
  12. Explain to customers the role of the energy suppliers as collectors of payment via the energy bill
  13. Explain to customers the permissions and consents that are required in order to take up Green Deal
  14. Explain to customers the Energy Company Obligation subsidy and the eligibility criteria for it
  15. Respond to customer queries and signpost them to other information and services when required

Information content

  1. Identify the main roles and responsibilities of:

The Green Deal Adviser

The Green Deal Provider

The Green Deal Installer

  1. Identify the eligible measures which can be funded under Green Deal
  2. Explain how customers can access information about Green Deal Installers and Providers
  3. Explain the support available to eligible customers through the Energy Company Obligation subsidy and heating and other fuel benefits
  4. Explain the specific protections and support available for vulnerable groups and customers under Green Deal
  5. Identify energy efficiency measures, support and finance mechanisms outside the Green Deal
  6. Explain how customers can access information about energy efficiency measures, support and finance mechanisms outside the Green Deal
  7. Explain to customers the purpose of Green Deal and its role in promoting energy efficiency
  8. Identify for customers where further information and support about Green Deal can be accessed by customers
  9. Explain to customers the role of the Green Deal Adviser and how they provide impartial advice and recommendations to customers
  10. Inform the customer of their rights and protections under law in relation to Green Deal
  11. Explain to customers how the assessment of energy performance is undertaken and the role of that assessment in the Green Deal process
  12. Explain to customers the long term nature of cost savings arising from the installation of energy saving measures
  13. Explain to customers how the funding offer is arrived at and who can provide financing
  14. Explain to customers the role of the Green Deal provider as the funding agency
  15. Explain to customers the heating and other fuel benefits that may be available under Green Deal and the eligibility criteria for them
  16. Provide information to customers on the Feed in Tariffs and Renewable Heat Incentive mechanisms and how they operate within Green Deal
  17. Explain how customers can access information about energy efficiency measures, support and finance mechanisms outside the Green Deal
  18. Explain to the customer the purposes of having a carbon monoxide detector

Assignment B

  1. Produce an initial contract letter which may include some of the following points:
  1. What your visit will involve, access arrangements etc.
  2. What evidence will be collected/required whilst on site.
  3. That there are circumstances in which some customers may be entitled to a free assessment and provide information about how they can contact the Energy Saving Advice Service in England and Wales or the ESSAC network in Scotland to find out more.
  4. Details of the occupancy assessment
  5. How long the visit will take.
  1. Produce a comprehensive pre-inspection questionnaire this should include some of the following points as a minimum standard:
  1. The name of the customer or their appointed representative who will be present at the property during the visit.
  2. Address and contact details of the property
  3. Whether the property already has a domestic EPC
  4. Whether there is already a Green Deal plan or plans in place for the property and if so what measures were installed under it/them
  5. The form of tenure e.g. owner occupied, private rented sector or social rented
  6. If rented, and the customer who requested the assessment is the landlord, written confirmation from the property tenant providing consent for the all aspects of the assessment to be carried
  7. Approximate age and type of property e.g. pre-1900 Victorian
  8. Whether the building is known to be listed, in a conservation area, or has other known constraints associated with planning
  9. Accessibility of loft, and any other access issues
  10. Primary method of heating the property
  11. Secondary method of heating the property, if any
  12. Whether the property is on/ off gas grid
  13. Whether they know of any existing energy saving measures already installed at the property (e.g. loft/ cavity wall insulation)
  14. Whether they will have energy bill information available – these should be available by the time of the visit by the GDA
  15. Does the property have an electric meter
  16. Any disability’s that may require additional personnel or other representatives of the client to be present during the visit.
  17. Main Building Construction Type, if known.

Assignment C

Produce a comprehensive method statement this should include some of the following as a minimum standard:

  1. Information Requested From Domestic Customers prior to the Green Deal Assessment Visit.
  2. Preparation for the Green Deal Assessment.
  3. Further Activities Necessary Prior to Carrying Out the Assessment Visit.
  4. Deciding Whether to Apply RdSAP or Full SAP to Domestic Properties.
  5. During the Green Deal Assessment:
  1. What Information is collected during the site visit.
  2. Checking EPC Validity and Suitability for Green Deal Assessment.
  3. What is involved with the occupancy assessment
  1. Lodgement process of the GDAR in England and Wales.
  2. Lodgement process of the GDAR in Scotland.
  3. Providing Initial Feedback to the customer during the Assessment Visit.
  4. Production of a New EPC Following Installation of Green Deal measures.
  5. Follow Up Post Green Deal Assessment Visit.
  6. What are the next steps after the GDAR has been given to the client

Task 4

This task is all about the initial process for the green deal and gathering the actual data prior to inputting anything into the software; You will need to produce all the documents that have been made in task 3 these will need to be filled in relevant to the OA being carried out.

Assignment A

  1. Produce evidence in the form of a letter from a tenant to the landlord asking for permission for a GDA to be carried out on the property.(This should relate to the rental property in task 2)
  1. Produce evidence in the form of a letter from the Landlord to the Tennant granting permission for a GDA to be carried out on the property.(This should relate to the rental property in task 2)
  1. Produce evidence in the form of a letter that responds to a question from the customer regarding an issue or concern raised by the customer regarding their visit. (This should relate to the rental property in task 2)

Assignment B

  1. From the initial 4 property’s selected in section one complete TWOGreen Deal occupancy assessments using approved software. The two occupancy assessments should cover threeof the following tenures/sectors and include the extra information as detailed below:
  1. Social rented + Signed permission granted letter
  2. Private rented + Signed permission granted letter
  3. Owner occupied + Confirmation on the pre-inspection questionnaire that the client owns the property
  4. Flats and apartment blocks + Google image
  5. Houses in multiple occupation (Where the unit is self-contained and designed to provide living accommodation for a single household) +A copy of the HMO Licence

For the 2 Occupancy assessments the following documents of evidence will be required:

  1. Observation notes, which may have been collected during RdSAP/EPC data collection
  2. Records of controls settings
  3. Observations of other property energy usage, (eg lights left on in empty rooms, windows open while heating on)
  4. Record of domestic appliances and usage, including appliances left on or on standby
  5. Fuel bills and records of meter readings Other utility bills (eg water, sewerage, waste disposal)
  6. Storey board for each assessment. ( a template for this is in the resources section)
  7. Supporting date stamped clearly annotated photographs (these should be included in the story board)
  8. Water-using equipment and operation
  9. Signs of poor heating or ventilation such as condensation
  10. Health hazards such as black mould
  11. Defects or problems with fabric (cracking, rot, damp penetration, insect infestation, etc) that should be rectified before Green Deal measures can be recommended
  12. Web or other research evidence
  13. Any other information considered necessary to support decisions taken
  14. The following documents must be provided for each task the initial contact form, the overview letter and info sheet, the contract, and the pre inspection questionnaire. Please ensure these documents are completed and signed and dated were required.
  15. The Energy Performance Certificate with recommendations corresponding to the occupancy assessment
  1. From one of the occupancy assessments provide a risk assessment detailing some of the risks associated with this type of assessment these risk may include the following:
  1. Children
  2. Pets
  3. Alcohol
  4. Property’s containing multiple defects
  5. Irate or aggravated customers

Task 5

Assignment A

  1. Produce TWO domestic Green Deal Advice Reports (GDARs) using approved software, based on the data from the occupancy assessments carried out in Unit 2. These must include at least 3 scenarios that you have discussed with the clients.

The following documents are required for this task:

a.1 x site notes. (these need to be the correct ones from the previous task)

b.1 x data inputs (these will be in the form of screen shots pasted into a word document)

c.1 x 3 scenarios document. (a template for this is in the resources section)

Assignment B

  1. For one of the GDARs provide a covering letter which should include some of the following detail:
  1. Some of the immediate measures that the client could utilise immediately
  2. Some of the measures that could be covered from green deal finance.
  3. Actions for measures with orange ticks
  4. The next steps for the client
  1. Produce ONE draft Energy Performance Certificate for the property that could potentially qualify for the ECO funding that has been updated to take account of the Green Deal measures installed, please attach the original EPC as well so that a comparison can be made

Assignment C