Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment: consultation analysis

Q12 When a HEETSA should be Required

Of the 88 respondents, 75 provided comments in response to question 12. Respondents suggested a range of circumstances and trigger points where a HEETSA should be required.

Many respondents highlighted situational factors that could trigger the requirement for a HEETSA. The most common trigger was when accessing public funding for retrofit. Another suggestion was to demonstrate regulatory compliance, or to justify exemption, particularly linking to PRS MEES. It was also suggested that HEETSA should be integrated into the planning permission or building warrant process. A further suggestion was for a HEETSA to be required when buying or selling a property.

Some respondents suggested a HEETSA should be required when working on specific building types. Suggestions are included in descending order of frequency.

• Hard-to-treat, historic, traditional or listed buildings.
• Communal or tenement buildings.
• Private rented housing.
• Public sector buildings and social housing.
• Buildings mandated to connect to a heat network under heat network zoning policy.
• All non-domestic buildings.

Some respondents also linked the requirement for the SMETER to the type of retrofit works. The most common suggestion was that HEETSA should be required before installation of low carbon heating systems. A similar number of respondents proposed that a HEETSA should be required when significant refurbishment, extension or conversion of a building takes place. A few felt that HEETSA should be required before any changes to building fabric. Others stated that HEETSA should not be required for straightforward retrofit measures. A few respondents cited that the need to have a HEETSA could limit those interested in carrying out a retrofit.

More generally, a few respondents linked the need for a HEETSA to health or energy outcomes. A HEETSA should be required where building upgrades could impact health. For example, impacting on air quality or overheating. Another suggestion was that HEETSA should be required in properties where building type, occupancy or financial vulnerability indicates higher energy cost burden.

Some respondents had concerns about HEETSA being mandated. The most common concern was over the cost of HEETSA assessments. Some of the respondents proposed that a HEETSA should be optional and available on request.