Belfast conference for new energy assessment directive
 
Anyone interested in finding out how the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will affect Northern Ireland’s property market should head down to see ABBE, the Awarding Body for the Built Environment and the market leader for energy assessment qualifications, at a free conference taking place at Belfast’s Stormont Hotel on Thursday 26th June.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will require all homes which are marketed for sale to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from 30th June 2008. Commercial or public sector properties with over 50 square metres of usable floor space will need to have an Energy Performance Certificate when they are sold or let from 30th December 2008.

The certificates will show how energy efficient properties are, advising owners of where they can make changes which will save them money in heating and ventilation costs.

ABBE, the Awarding Body for the Built Environment will be giving advice at the conference to employers and individuals on how to train to become an energy assessor.

Roger Bishop, Chief Executive of ABBE said: “Energy assessment will be mandatory for the majority of Northern Ireland’s property market by December, so the time to train as an energy assessor is now.

“Anyone wishing to practise as an energy assessor needs to be appropriately licensed. ABBE offers the full range of diplomas to qualify candidates in domestic and non domestic energy assessment at vocational levels 3 and 4, which are officially recognised by the Government and leading employers throughout the UK.”

Managers of publicly owned, publicly accessed buildings will get the opportunity to hear about Display Energy Certificates (DECS), which will need to be displayed in large public buildings with over 1,000 square metres of usable floor space by 30th December 2008. The requirement is expected to affect large hospitals, schools, colleges, libraries and other public spaces.

Energy assessors who would like to be able to produce Display Energy Certificates will require the ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Display Energy Certificates (DipDEC).

Roger continued: “The conference gives ABBE the chance to tell people how the new regulations will affect them, and hopefully open up opportunities for anyone looking for a career in domestic and commercial energy assessment.” 

The conference is taking place at The Confex Centre, Stormont Hotel, Belfast on Thursday 26th June 2008 from 9:30am, and is being organised by The Department of Finance and Personnel. For more information visit www.abbeqa.co.uk

ENDS

Issued by Chloe Lenton, BHMG Marketing Ltd. on behalf of Awarding Body for the Built Environment Ltd. For further information please call 0121 236 2871, 07976 293812 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Notes to editors:

1) ABBE is the number one market leader for the provision of qualifications in the built environment. It is a specialist awarding body that provides NVQs and VRQs to the built environment Industry including property, construction, surveying, planning and project management.
2) ABBE is regulated by Ofqual (Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator), the SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) and DELLS (Department for Education Lifelong Learning and Skills) to ensure quality in assessment.