Elmhurst Energy

Training and accreditation for energy assessors across the UK

Elmhurst Energy presents itself as the UK's largest independent provider of energy assessment, retrofit and property professional training, software and accreditation. Its activity centres on qualifying and supporting the people who produce energy assessments and related property reports, rather than on carrying out assessments for homeowners directly.

The organisation combines three strands: accredited qualification and CPD courses, membership and accreditation schemes for assessors, and software tools for producing and managing assessment data. It also operates a directory service through which homeowners and businesses can find an Elmhurst assessor.

Course catalogue for domestic, non-domestic and retrofit work

The training offer is organised by professional profile. For energy assessors it lists Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA), On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor (OCDEA), Display Energy Certificate (DEC) and Air Conditioning Inspection pathways. Retrofit training covers Retrofit Assessor, Retrofit Coordinator, Older and Traditional Buildings and Non-Domestic Retrofit Lead Assessor, alongside an introduction to energy efficiency and retrofit in homes and background ventilation training.

A separate competency training line includes Domestic MEES Masterclass, Damp and Mould Assessor, Heat Loss Assessor, Measured Energy Performance (MEP), Legionella Risk Assessment, Property Inventory, Overheating, Airtightness Testing Training, Psi-Value, U-Value, ESOS Lead Assessor, Section 63 and Ventilation. The site highlights a Damp and Mould Assessor course framed as competency training to support Awaab's Law, and a Retrofit Coordinator course described as a Full Level 5 ABBE Qualification, offered both on demand and in classroom or remote formats.

Continuing professional development

Elmhurst maintains certified CPD libraries segmented by specialism: Domestic CPD for DEAs, New Build CPD, Non-Domestic CPD and Retrofit CPD. The organisation states that its courses are aimed at people at all stages of their career, from newcomers to the industry to experienced professionals, and that course access includes ongoing support from its team during study and afterwards in professional practice.

Accreditation and competency schemes

Beyond training, Elmhurst runs accreditation schemes for DEA, NDEA, OCDEA, DEC and Air Conditioning Inspection, plus approved retrofit schemes for Non-Domestic Retrofit Lead Assessor, Non-Domestic Retrofit Lead Professional, Retrofit Assessor and Retrofit Coordinator. Its competency schemes cover Damp and Mould Assessor, Heat Loss Assessor, MEP, Legionella Risk Assessment, Property Inventory, Overheating, Airtightness Testing, Background Ventilation Testing, Psi-Value, U-Value, ESOS Lead Assessor, Section 63, Thermography and Ventilation.

Membership is presented as including technical support, member resources and benefits. Assessors already registered with another scheme are invited to transfer. A free corporate account option lets organisations manage their assessors and reports through a single centralised platform. The site also describes a Better Buildings Consultant designation for professionals who want to present expertise across several energy, retrofit or building disciplines.

Software for assessment and retrofit workflows

The software portfolio spans domestic and non-domestic work: Domestic Damp and Mould Reporting, RdSAP Mobile, RdSAP Online, Heat Loss Calculator, Improvement Evaluator for DEAs, Legionella Software, SBEM Online, Air Con Online, New-Build Design SAP, U-Value Calculator, Retrofit CoAssess, Condition Report Go, Occupancy Assessment Tool, ECO Surv and a PAS 2035 Workflow Platform, plus an Improvement Evaluator aimed at Retrofit Coordinators.

Under the heading of digital solutions, Elmhurst describes its aim as helping the built environment connect systems, automate workflows and make use of trusted assessment data. It also announces Design HEM as forthcoming compliance software built around the Home Energy Model.

Information resources and sector guidance

Elmhurst publishes guidance on the Home Energy Model, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for domestic and non-domestic property, PAS 2035 and its implications for UK retrofit, and its responses to public consultations. It addresses distinct audiences: homeowners seeking an EPC, information on retrofitting a property and available funding; businesses needing non-domestic EPCs, EPCs for public buildings and air conditioning inspections; social housing providers, councils and housing associations; retrofit and Tier 1 contractors; and education providers, for whom it offers bespoke training packages.

It also organises conferences, including events listed for Northern Ireland, Scotland and a national conference, and maintains a news section covering topics such as social housing investment and the Future Homes Standard.