The month of May 2015 has passed and what a year of change our profession is experiencing.

Constant changes – upgraded software tools, new qualifications, new fees, new rules and regulations. Where will it end? Will it ever end?

As a result of the changes in our industry over the last 12 months many assessors are reviewing their place in it as they face these challenges.

Do they upgrade and learn the new tools? Do they obtain the Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment? Do they maintain their accreditation as a house energy assessor?

The answers are yes, and possibly no.

Many house energy assessors have decided to upgrade their skills, have adopted the new tools, accepted the new fees and got on with completing the Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment.

Well done.

However some have cancelled their accreditation as a house energy assessor and are going it alone.  Many others are seriously considering their future as well.

Here is why you should continue as an accredited assessor.

1. You will be kept up to date with changes in software and our industry.

Here at Smartrate we have a number of candidates for the Certificate IV in NatHERS Assessment who are not accredited and are finding it difficult to complete the tasks set for them as they are not part of any network in our industry. Being accredited gives you membership of such a network so you will know when changes occur in our industry, when the software is updated and then how to correctly use the latest versions and apply them to real jobs. Using the software incorrectly is not an excuse and may open the door to unnecessary litigation.

2. You are required to maintain Professional Indemnity Insurance

As a house energy assessor you provide advice to your clients and you are responsible for the ratings you produce. If the rating is subsequently found to be incorrect by your customer you can face litigation and be exposed to paying damages. You may think this can’t happen but it is already happening in a number of States where assessors are being sued for incorrect and/or misleading assessments, either directly or as part of a wider dispute between the home owner and builder.

3. You know your work is accurate and correct

As an accredited house energy assessor you are required to attend and complete a minimum number of CPD activities each year. AAO’s and private providers schedule events during the year so you can keep abreast of changes in the industry and in the use of the software tools. Software providers support their users in how the software works not how it is applied in real situations. CPD events provide you with many opportunities to fill this gap.

4. New certificates reveal to your customers if you are accredited or not

FirstRate5 and Accurate Sustainability (and soon BERS as well) produce 2 types of Universal Certificates – one for accredited assessors in colour that includes the NatHERS Logo and your accredited house energy assessor details, and another for unaccredited assessors in black and white that includes a prominent heading on the first page “Unaccredited Assessor”. This sends a very clear message to certifiers, building surveyors and clients that you are not accredited and therefore may not have the required skills or qualifications to practice as a house energy assessor.

 5. You are a professional consultant

You are professional consultants to the building industry similar to architects, building designers, engineers and the like. All of these consultants are required to be accredited, licenced or members of a recognised industry association. House energy assessors are no different and you must be accredited and carry relevant insurances, keep current through CPD programs and operate in accordance with a code of practice as a professional.

Who benefits if house energy assessors are accredited?

The client.

Whether it is a Mum and Dad, a builder or large corporation, house energy assessor accreditation provides them with a professional, accurate, current and consistent rating that can be relied on for NCC BCA compliance purposes and for marketing and resale of a property. 

And you have the opportunity to build and operate a successful business.