SuperHeat Users
Elmhurst are pleased to announce the purchase of SuperHeat software.
An agreement has been reached between Elmhurst and Survey Design Associates, both Tony Bryer Director of SDA, and Stephen O’Hara, Managing Director of EES are delighted with this development, which will allow SuperHeat users avenues to continue to work in this evolving environment and affords SuperHeat users the opportunity, should they wish to, to produce Energy Performance Certificates for Building Regulation purposes.
We are currently in the process of contacting all SuperHeat users, to inform you of the opportunities that this amalgamation may offer you.
This doesn’t affect existing Elmhurst users in any way, except that a number of Building Control Bodies will be switching from SuperHeat to Elmhurst Systems and hence should further assist Elmhurst Users in your dealings with a wider number of Building Control Bodies. This now means the vast majority of BCBs in the United Kingdom will be users of the Elmhurst Design Software System.
Quick Background on Elmhurst Energy Systems Ltd:
Elmhurst Energy Systems Ltd has an unrivalled reputation in the provision of SAP software solutions to customers across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We have over 20 years technical expertise in this industry, which enables us to provide all the solutions required in this constantly evolving environment. We attend and contribute to all relevant Communities and Local Government (CLG) meetings in England and Wales, also lending the same support and advice to Scottish Buildings Standards Agency (SBSA) in Scotland and the Department for Finance and Personnel (DFPNI) in NI. We are exceptionally placed to provide the necessary tools to be able to provide Building Regulation/Standards Calculations and the now mandatory Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
Energy Performance Certificates for new build dwellings:
The role of a SAP assessor has now been expanded and developers will require not only Building Regulation/Standards Calculations but also EPCs, which will be required to be made available to all potential purchasers of dwellings.
In order to produce an EPC in England & Wales and Northern Ireland, an individual must be a registered member of a Government approved Accreditation Scheme such as that operated by Elmhurst Energy Systems. The role of the Accreditation Scheme is to ensure that all EPCs are produced by persons who are appropriately qualified, insured and subject to strict independent quality standards.
In Scotland we are currently in negotiations with SBSA to develop a Section 6 approved Certifier of Design Scheme, which we hope to launch shortly.
Member States roll out of EPCs
The EU directive means that EPCs On-Construction must be implemented throughout England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland no later than 4th January 2009. The next stage of this implementation introduces EPCs from 6th April 2008 in England and Wales for all new buildings on completion of construction. It is expected that Northern Ireland will follow shortly, possibly in May or June 2008. Scotland already allows the production of EPCs from SAP Software, and Elmhurst will launch our official ‘Certifiers of Design Scheme’ shortly.
What this ultimately means to all SuperHeat Software Users:
1. Your SuperHeat software will continue to function, and all users whose update cover expired at the end of December 2007 or are still current will receive the updated 6.3 version via the download when the BRE approve this latest version.
2. Elmhurst will continue to support SuperHeat Software until your expiry date and if you have any technical queries or problems with the software please use the following Helpline details: 08700 850 499 or alternatively 01455 883 259 OR Email to superheat@elmhurstenergy.co.uk
3. SuperHeat software will be superseded by the Elmhurst Design Software following the end of all current annual license agreements; which will ensure all users continue to be compliant with future regulations and industry developments including the production of EPCs, Code for Sustainable Homes, Zero Carbon 2016 target where appropriate.
Finally we are pleased to bring all current SuperHeat customers into the Elmhurst Group and we look forward to providing you with excellent service and solutions in the upcoming months and years. By becoming part of our group, you now have more options available to you and these are specifically clarified by
-Option 1-
If you would like to upgrade to a free license of the Elmhurst Design SAP Software, we are pleased to offer you a quick and easy route to do so. Please click on the - Application Form – indicating the number of copies that you wish to receive (1PC, 2PC etc). In order to obtain this upgrade you will have to agree to enter into next years’ annual maintenance with Elmhurst, which will begin upon your renewal date of your current SuperHeat License (not before) There is no payment required now and to help facilitate this, we are fixing the costs for next years annual maintenance at 2007 prices (see application form).
For those Superheat users who have previously attended a SAP2005 course run by Elmhurst (for and on behalf of Superheat), you will be able to transfer to SAP assessor status using the Design Software. For all other SuperHeat users we strongly recommend (although not enforce) our one day training course on SAP2005, Building Regulations/Standards and the Use of the Elmhurst Design Software. Please note this one day course (or attending the previous SAP2005 course) does not enable a person to produce an Energy Performance Certificate in Eng & Wales or Northern Ireland. If you would like to produce EPCs ignore this training day and see Option 2 below.
If you upgrade to the Design Software and choose not to undertake the one day course, all the outputs from the Software will indicate un-accredited SAP assessors status; and as such all calculations should be checked by the Building Control Bodies for correctness.
Please see our website for details of courses currently available (Building Control Bodies/Corporate, we do undertake courses at your premises, please contact us for a quote)
By undertaking this option, you will have the benefit of operating SuperHeat and Elmhurst Design Software in parallel. This will enable users to up skill and be confident using the Elmhurst Design Software, before changing over completely.
Please complete the Application Form, indicate the number of copies you wish to receive, and return to Elmhurst; upon receipt you will be sent a license and support agreement; This should be signed and returned to Elmhurst, agreeing to the necessary annual maintenance, and upon receipt of this, a copy of the Elmhurst Design Software shall be issued immediately. No money will be payable to Elmhurst until your current SuperHeat license has expired.
(Caveat: If you do enter the agreement and you do not pay within a calendar month of the SuperHeat expiry date, the Elmhurst Design Software and SuperHeat Software will both become invalid; and if you subsequently wish to upgrade to Elmhurst Design Software, you would then be classified as a new user and consequently have to purchase a licensed copy of the Design Software at the full list price.)
-Option 2-
If you would like to produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in Eng & Wales and NI, you will need to join our Accreditation Scheme and be appropriately trained and licensed. The same route applies to SuperHeat users as our own Design SAP Software Users, we advise you to see all the details and information by clicking here . If you are interested, you will find the suitable Application form which needs to be completed and returned to Elmhurst.
Please note in order for any person to produce EPCs, they MUST have a current version of the Elmhurst Design Software, hence why we are encouraging all Superheat users to take advantage of Option 1 above.
Note users in Scotland can already produce EPCs on construction; please see section below for further developments in this area.
-Option 3-
For those that do not wish to upgrade to the Elmhurst Design Software, you will continue to receive upgrades and support on SuperHeat for the period of your license. We will again contact you approx 30 days before your expiry date with any options available to you at that time.
SCOTLAND
Please note for Superheat users in Scotland, the same options are available as above, but Elmhurst are currently in negotiation with SBSA to operate an approved ‘Certifiers of Design Scheme’, which will enable persons to self certify the calculations for the energy efficiency requirements of the standards, including the production of an EPC. Information on this will be released shortly, and all customers will be contacted with full details. We advise persons to upgrade the software at Option 1, and we can inform users the necessary requirements when they are made clear by SBSA.