When Addendums Should Be Ticked

The software allows for a number of different addendums to be selected as part of an assessment.

Note: Addendums affect what is shown on the publicly available Energy Performance Certificate. Failing to tick the addendum when it is required will result in a failed audit.

Therefore, it is important to review this section before lodging any assessment.

In this article, we will go through each of the addendums and confirm when they should be ticked, and the text that will appear on the EPC.

Below you can find the current options available in RdSAP10. 

Please note that the numbering system is missing previous addendums that have been removed - and therefore no longer an option.

This options should be ticked if the wall construction type is not one of those available in the software. 

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

The dwelling has a type of wall that is not included in the available options. The nearest equivalent type was used for the assessment.

If the dwelling has a swimming pool inside or in the grounds, then tick this box to shown that your assessment doesn't take into account the energy used to heat the pool.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

The energy assessment for the dwelling does not include energy used to heat the swimming pool.

Image source: http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/micro-chp/ 

Micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP) is a technology that produces both heat and electricity simultaneously from a single energy source, typically for use within individual homes or buildings. Its main purpose is to supply heat to the property, while the generation of electricity serves as a secondary function.

If a micro-CHP system is not listed in the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB), it must be entered manually into the software. You are not required to specify the exact type of micro-CHP system in such cases. However, you must tick Addendum 3.

Micro-CHP systems can also supply domestic hot water, either through an internal or external hot water cylinder. Additionally, they may form part of a community energy scheme that provides heat and power to multiple buildings. In these cases, you must obtain documentary evidence confirming the presence of a community micro-CHP system.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

The performance characteristics of the micro-CHP system in this dwelling are not known and default values were used for the assessment.

If the property has a storage heater or dual immersion - but has a single electric meter then this box needs to be ticked.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

A dual rate appliance(s) is present with a single-rate supply. A single-rate appliance has been used for the assessment. Changing the electricity tariff to an off-peak (dual rate) supply is likely to reduce fuel costs and improve the energy rating.

If you have included solar panels or wind turbines being present - then you also need to tick the box here. This is to show that the assessment does not show any feed-in-tariffs that may be applicable.

Note: You may have entered these details in the renewables section of the software - but you still need to tick the addendum as well.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

This should be ticked if a heating system upgrade is recommended but there are 2 main heating systems.

Before lodging your EPC, you'll need to check the recommendations generated. If a heating upgrade (such as a heat pump or boiler) is recommended then you'll need to come back and tick this addendum if there are 2 main heating systems.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

As there is more than one heating system, you should seek professional advice on the most cost-effective option for upgrading the systems.

If there is more than one electricity meter where one is a dual meter but there is also an electricity meter for standard tariff that select this addendum. This is to show that the assessment has been based on an off-peak tariff but some appliances may be on a standard tariff.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

The assessment has been done on the basis of an off-peak electricity tariff. However some heating or hot water appliances may be on the standard domestic tariff.

Similar to the above, if you have selected a single rate electricity meter - but there is another meter for an off peak tariff - select this addendum.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

The assessment has been done on the basis of the standard domestic electricity tariff. However some heating or hot water appliances may be on an off-peak tariff.

• Wood logs
• Wood chips
• Wood pellets (bulk or bagged)
• Biomass from community or district heating

On some occasions you may come across a fuel not listed - that is where you tick this addendum, and use the nearest equivalent type of fuel.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

The dwelling uses a type of fuel that is not included in the available options. The nearest equivalent fuel type was used for the assessment.

If you come across a special energy saving feature at the property - this addendum allows you to recognise this, but it's impact on the savings shown for improvements is ignored. 

This relates to Appendix Q Technologies only. An example of this could be Smart Hot Water Cylinders (at the time of writing).

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

The dwelling has a special energy saving feature which is
recognised in the assessment, but its impact on the savings shown for other improvement measures is ignored.

If the dwelling is in a Conservation Area then you'll need to tick this addendum.

The best place to find this information is on the local council's website for the property you are assessing.

You can access datasets at https://www.planning.data.gov.uk/dataset/conservation-area however please bear in mind that not all councils share their data in this dataset.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

Conservation area.

For this addendum, you'll need to check if PV is recommended. If it shows on the recommendations in the EPC summary that PV is recommended then tick this box to show the text below on the certificate.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

When considering the PV installation consider
installing PV battery and a PV diverter for water heating.

On occasions, you'll come across battery storage that is not connected to the Solar PV - that's when you tick this addendum to show that this hasn't been included in the assessment.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

The assessment does not include PV-independent battery
storage.

Phase-change heat storage uses materials that absorb and release large amounts of heat during melting and freezing at a nearly constant temperature. 

This technology stores energy as latent heat, with applications including storing solar energy for later use in heating, or absorbing excess heat to keep a system cool.

If this is present, then this addendum must be ticked to show that it is not included in the assessment.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

The assessment does not include “Phase-changing” heat
storage. 

If party wall insulation is recommended, then you can tick this box to show the following text on the EPC.

Text shown on EPC Certificate:

Party wall is a property of two homes. If acoustic
issues are important seek professional advice before insulating party wall. Insulating party wall on one side may cause condensation risk to adjoining property.

So now you have an explanation of when these addendums should be used you can tick them as appropriate in your assessments.

Note: Addendums can be added an/or removed in later versions of RdSAP - so please keep that in mind.