Owners
or builders can choose to have their home
assessed at present - the scheme is voluntary
The assessment produces
a short report giving the dwelling a "star"
rating for both heating and cooling effectiveness
with 10 stars indicating excellence
The scheme may be compulsory
for new homes and homes being onsold later
in 2008. Policy has yet to be finalized
If homes obtain a high
star rating it may make them more marketable.
Some builders etc use the assessment to demonstrate
their commitment to energy efficient design
The report includes suggestions
as to how its thermal efficiency can be improved
It is expected that as
the public become more aware of the assessment
procedure as energy costs increase. It follows
there will be an increasing demand for reports
by prospective purchasers as to thermal efficiency
in the same way that some vendor owners provide
prepurchase reports to confirm a dwelling
is not a leaky home.
