Level 4 Award
in Domestic Retrofit Assessment

Earn up to £50k

6 months to complete

Blended Learning

Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment

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What is a Retrofit Assessor?

The Retrofit Assessor will play a key role as the UK reduces its carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency and retrofitting many of 27 million homes. The role of the Retrofit Assessor is laid out in PAS 2035; the standard to which the professional roles involved in retrofit projects have to work.

Their job is to visit properties and carry out the survey that is required to inform the decision making about what measures should be installed. Working under the supervision of a Retrofit Coordinator, this will involve assessing the condition, occupancy and significance of the building in line with the PAS.

Listen to Professor Dr. Richard Fitton, course creator, explain the importance of the course and the benefits of completeing the award in this short video.

What does a Retrofit Assessor do?

This is one of the most important roles in the PAS 2035 process, practically everything the Assessor does is relied on by others to help them make important decisions.

Assessors carry a great deal of responsibility. If the assessment is flawed, others in the retrofit process are likely to get things wrong. The role involves:

  • Providing information about the home, to be used by the Retrofit Designer

  • Carrying out an appraisal of the dwelling’s heritage and architectural features

  • Determining the construction and condition of the home, including the building services such as heating, hot water, ventilation, and lighting

  • Identifying any constraints on the building that may prevent any energy efficiency measures (EEMs) being installed

  • Identifying any defects, and structural issues, including damp and mould

  • Identifying any EEMs already installed

  • Carrying out a measured survey of the building and providing a report

  • The PAS 2035 Process Map

    The Retrofit Assessor’s role starts after the Retrofit Coordinator has established the Intended Outcomes and Risk Pathway for the project. This determines the type of survey the Assessor is commissioned to carry out – Step 3 in the PAS 2035 process.

  • The Roles of PAS 2035

    PAS 2035 introduces six distinct roles and outlines the responsibilities of each role as determined by the assessed level of project risk. The PAS also clarifies what accreditations and qualifications the individual must have to become accredited in each role.

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Who should become a Retrofit Assessor?

The role of a Retrofit Assessor is to survey properties and prepare a report in-line with a Retrofit Coordinator’s requirements. The report includes a full EPC, a ventilation and occupancy assessment and a condition survey. Whilst this is not a full structural survey it does however look for any signs of defects that may affect any future energy efficiency improvements, as these would need to be fixed before any improvements are made.

About the Course

Successfully completing the course leads to the Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment.

It is a blended approach, which means the knowledge content is delivered through eLearning and a half day bootcamp, where there will be a specialist tutor on hand to answer any questions.

There’s also a virtual assessment of a property, followed by the completion of a report based on a Retrofit Academy assessment report template. This is to help prepare you for the end assessment.

Our course features:

  • State-of-the-art digital learning platform
  • Expert-led retrofit training
  • Peer learning and support
  • Leading-edge learning and technical resources
  • Specialist mentor support

Course Modules

The course is made up of nine modules that cover all aspects of retrofit assessment. Each module features extensive learning materials, expert presentations, case studies and activities that are designed to give you an in-depth understanding of both theory and practice.

   
1. PAS 2035 and retrofit assessments

Gives an overview of PAS 2035 and how this impacts on the Retrofit Assessor’s role. It also covers the roles and responsibilities of others in the PAS 2035 retrofit process.

2. Context of dwellings

‘Context of Dwellings’, is, in essence, looking at the areas that need to be addressed in preparation for carrying out a retrofit assessment. So, knowing what you need to have in order to do the assessments, as well as the information that will underpin them.

3. Assessing the condition of a dwelling and recording any defects

This is the assessment of the condition of the dwelling and includes the recording of defects. It is critical that defects, including leaks and cracks, are addressed prior to the installation of new measures.

4. The requirements of occupancy assessments

The occupancy of a dwelling; the number of people who live there, ages, lifestyle patterns, etc. is a key part in the successful planning of a retrofit. The occupants are often incorrectly left out of the process, so it is important this information is recorded.

5. Ventilation requirements of a dwelling

Ventilation is an essential requirement for any home. It is needed to ensure there is fresh air for breathing, as well as for removing and reducing pollutants in the home. Adequate ventilation will also help to control the amount of moisture in the air and thus reduce the risk of condensation and problems such as mould growth. So, the key to a healthy home is a functional ventilation strategy, and for a design to facilitate this, a comprehensive understanding of a dwelling’s existing ventilation system should be recorded by the Assessor.

6. Energy performance of a dwelling

This module covers estimating energy usage and cost, and carbon dioxide emissions using industry models, such as the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) or the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP). A Retrofit Assessor should be familiar with the use of SAP or PHPP software to support their work.

7. Significance of a dwelling

This module covers the classification of a building, i.e. ‘traditional’ or ‘protected’ and reporting on its age, built form, setting and so on.

8. Retrofit assessment reports

This module includes a virtual retrofit assessment of a domestic dwelling, including being able to inspect for defects. Followed by the completion of the assessment report.

9. Retrofit advice to customers

PAS 2035 spells out what retrofit advice needs to be provided on a project, and by whom, so this module sets out what the Retrofit Assessor’s responsibilities are in this respect.

Methods of Study & Course Costs

When you sign up to the course you will get access to The Retrofit Academy Learner Management System; our state- of-the-art eLearning platform through which the course is delivered. The eLearning modules are enhanced by our unique bootcamps which gives you a crucial peer learning experience supported by our expert tutors. This course is delivered through our blended learning approach, which is both e-learning and virtual bootcamp.

This course costs £1,300 plus VAT*

*Pay in three interest free monthly installments

Blended

  • Self-guided eLearning with an expert-led Zoom Bootcamp
  • Must be completed within 6 months
  • Includes membership to The Retrofit Academy
  • Includes a copy of the PAS 2035 standard

Course Eligibility

As a regulated qualification, the Level 4 Award in Domestic Retrofit Assessment has some specific eligibility criteria. The minimum requirement for all methods of study is a Level 3 Domestic Energy Assessor qualification.

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If you are ready to enrol for the Level 4 Award simply click “Apply Now” below to start the process.

Join us in shaping the future of retrofit today.

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