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Aipedia: Energy assessors and retrofit coordinators
Energy assessors and retrofit coordinators can use AI tools, but the 2012 EPB Regulations, scheme rules and TrustMark requirements still hold them responsible for every certificate and report. With new EPCs and the 2030 rental target, more money now rides on getting those outputs right.
Part of: AI in energy assessors and retrofit coordinators
In short
AI is used across energy assessment and retrofit for measurement, photo-based data capture, report drafting, thermal analysis, grant screening and lodgement. No regulator or scheme had issued AI guidance as at October 2026, so existing duties apply: reasonable care and skill under reg 24(1) of the 2012 Regulations, scheme rules on accurate and independent assessment, and TrustMark competence, audit and lodgement rules. Schemes must provide for indemnity arrangements, and TrustMark sets a £250k per property PI and PL minimum for retrofit coordinators. PI usually treats AI-related errors as negligence, subject to the terms.
A domestic EPC rests on dimensions, construction details, heating and hot water systems, glazing and lighting, all entered into an approved methodology such as RdSAP or SAP. Non-domestic EPCs, DECs and air-conditioning inspections add zoning and plant data. Retrofit work under PAS 2035 goes further, with condition, occupancy and ventilation assessments, medium-term improvement plans, risk paths, monitoring and evaluation.
AI tools now reach into almost every step. Typical uses include the following:
None of this changes who is responsible: the certificate or report remains the assessor's or coordinator's professional work.
As at October 2026, no AI-specific guidance had been published by MHCLG, DESNZ, TrustMark or Elmhurst, an approved accreditation scheme. The TrustMark retrofit coordinator requirements refer to recognised energy models (RdSAP, SAP, PHPP) and do not mention AI. That does not leave a gap: the existing duties apply to AI-assisted work in the same way as to any other method.
The duties that matter most are these:
Our EPC and PAS 2035 rules map sets out how each provision applies to AI tools.
Two government responses published in January 2026 make an accurate EPC more valuable, and an inaccurate one more costly. MHCLG's partial response on EPC reform sets new domestic headline metrics (energy cost, fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness), keeps 10-year validity and requires a valid EPC at the point of marketing. Government said it was working hard to deliver new EPCs from October 2026 and described the timeline as ambitious. The private rented sector response targets EPC C for all tenancies by 2030 using new EPCs, with compliance by 1 October 2030, a cost cap of up to £10,000 per property and a maximum fine of £30,000 per property per breach.
Landlords must commission an EPC before and after works under that response. Respondents criticised EPC accuracy, and government said assessors need adequate training for the new EPCs. AI tools built for the old rating need checking against the new methodology, including the Home Energy Model work. See AI and the move to new EPC metrics.
As at October 2026 there was no UK court ruling, scheme sanction or regulator warning involving AI use by an energy assessor or retrofit coordinator. The risks below are drawn from how the work is done and relied on:
Indemnity is built into the regime. For energy assessors, schemes must provide for indemnity arrangements, with the minimum level set by scheme rules. For example, Elmhurst requires accredited members to arrange their own PI and public liability insurance and separately provides a policy covering lodgement of members' reports and certificates through its systems (Elmhurst insurance page). For TrustMark retrofit coordinators, PI must come from a regulated insurer, self-insurance is not allowed, and the defined minimum is "£250k PI & PL per property, or as required by the client".
No regulator, scheme or insurer had published a statement on AI and PI. In practice, a claim that an assessor or coordinator got the work wrong is usually treated as a negligence claim whichever tool was used, subject to the policy terms, exclusions and excess. Check how the wording treats software failures and property damage. Read Does PI cover AI errors in EPCs and retrofit? and our general guide Do energy assessors need professional indemnity insurance?.
Simple, recorded checks protect the certificate and the insurance position:
Each guide below takes one task or issue and covers the duties, what can go wrong, how PI usually responds and practical controls:
Apex arranges PI for energy assessors, retrofit assessors and retrofit coordinators through our energy consultants PI service. A broker reviews whether your cover meets your scheme or TrustMark minimum and how your policy treats AI-assisted work. For the wider picture across professions, see Aipedia and does PI cover AI mistakes?.
Not as at October 2026. MHCLG, DESNZ, TrustMark and Elmhurst had published no AI-specific guidance, and the TrustMark retrofit coordinator requirements do not mention AI. The existing duties apply instead, including reasonable care and skill under reg 24(1) of the 2012 Regulations and the scheme's quality assurance rules.
You can use AI tools to help gather and organise data, but the assessment must still follow the approved methodology and be carried out with reasonable care and skill. The assessor remains responsible for every input and for the lodged certificate, so AI outputs need checking against site evidence.
Usually a claim that you got an assessment or retrofit decision wrong is treated as a negligence claim whatever tool you used, subject to the policy terms. Check exclusions for software or data failures and property damage, and make sure the limit meets your scheme or TrustMark minimum.
The TrustMark scheme requirements say PI must come from a regulated insurer, with no self-insurance, at a defined minimum of £250k PI and PL per property, or as required by the client. Changes to cover must be notified to the scheme provider.
Tell us about your firm and the work you do. A broker will review how your current PI treats AI-assisted work, or arrange new cover. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.
Start a PI quote Request a callbackApex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.
