Hype over HIPs

jetstream_2

What do you all think about the energy performance certificate, has anybody seen one?

david29dpo

jetstream wrote: »

What do you all think about the energy performance certificate, has anybody seen one?

Yes, i have done one on my house and my sisters, both period properties. To be honest, total waste of time. If for example you have boarded out your attic, the inspector is not allowed to take it up to look at the insulation, so you get a nil. Same if you dont have the latest super duper boiler. I can go on and on. It can be of some use if buying a new build because you will expect it to be ok.

jetstream_2

david29dpo wrote: »

Yes, i have done one on my house and my sisters, both period properties. To be honest, total waste of time. If for example you have boarded out your attic, the inspector is not allowed to take it up to look at the insulation, so you get a nil. Same if you dont have the latest super duper boiler. I can go on and on. It can be of some use if buying a new build because you will expect it to be ok.

Yes I know what you mean. firstly just make it clear I’m not touting for work, I’m new to this forum and I don’t want to get kicked off, not just yet anyway, just trying to give honest advise and info.
I’m a SAP assessor and have been providing SAP calculations (energy performance calculations for new build properties) for many years, I’m a bit disappointed the government used RDSAP (reduced data standard assessment procedure) the software doesn’t allow for special circumstances.
For instance if you insulated between your rafters with say Kingspan which as almost twice the thermal resistance than Rockwood I don’t think the average domestic energy assessor would know what box to tick.
The other point is that the HIPs have over shadowed the EPC and the reason for there introduction has been lost.
The government announced on the 1st August that it was making the grant system more accessible and easier to understand, which will make a change for the government, grants will be based on recommendations from the EPC and provided through energy suppliers. That wasn’t put in the papers.
I think on the whole the EPC is a good idea especially if the government backs improvements up with cash, also I think it will go a long way in the battle against fuel poverty.
Has anybody else got a bitter experience, or think it may have a negative effect on the sale of their home?

david29dpo

Interesting point. From what i have seen from a EPC so far, most houses will score a lot less than they actually are. Also, from what i have seen so far about grants, most of the money available to the needy is taken by the companies adim charges. See threads about warm front.

rabialiones

local estage agent has told me that HIP is only needed for properties with 4 or more bedrooms.
is this true?
if not when does it become law to have the HIP

david29dpo

Yes, its true. It became law for 4 or more bedrooms 1st august. Rummer has it all properties end of September.

lynzpower

David,

the HIPS association said that its likely to be all 3 beds towards end of September then the rest by the end of the year.

Where did you hear rumour all by the end of Sept? ANy links?

david29dpo

From my friend who has just passed the EPC course.

mike_the_bike_2

These HIP's are so good they don't even include anything to inform the potential purchaser if the property is at risk of flooding!

lynzpower

mike_the_bike wrote: »

These HIP's are so good they don't even include anything to inform the potential purchaser if the property is at risk of flooding!

yes they do. If you are in a flood plain area, this will naturally show up on the software as a recommended search. So therefore the vendor has to choose whether to pay for that or not. However, with due dilligence the buyers solicitor should then make a decision as to whether to recommend to the buyer to buy this search whether the vendor chooses to buy this search or not.