Energy Assessments (SAP) in Dorset and Somerset

Overview

The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the methodology used by the Government to assess and compare the energy and environmental performance of dwellings. Its purpose is to provide accurate and reliable assessments of dwelling energy performances that are needed to underpin energy and environmental policy initiatives.

Energy assesments in Dorset

Background

SAP was developed by the BRE (Building Research Establishment) for the former Department of the Environment in 1992, as a tool to help deliver its energy efficiency policies. The SAP methodology is based on the Domestic Energy Model (BREDEM), which provides a framework for calculating the energy consumption of dwellings.

In 1994 SAP was cited in Part L of the Building Regulations as a means of assessing dwelling performance. Reduced Data SAP was introduced in 2005 as a lower cost method of assessing the energy performance of existing dwellings. SAP, RDSAP and BREDEM are used to underpin the delivery of a number of key energy and environmental policy initiatives, for example:

Buildings Regulations for England and Wales and the Devolved Administrations
HM Treasury’s Stamp Duty exemption for Zero Carbon Homes
Code for sustainable homes
Warm Front
Green Deal
Energy Company Obligation
Local Authority stock reporting etc

How SAP works

SAP works by assessing how much energy a dwelling will consume, when delivering a defined level of comfort and service provision. The assessment is based on standardised assumptions for occupancy and behaviour. This enables a like-for-like comparison of dwelling performance. Related factors, such as fuel costs and emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), can be determined from the assessment.

SAP quantifies a dwelling’s performance in terms of: energy use per unit floor area, a fuel-cost-based energy efficiency rating (the SAP Rating) and emissions of CO2 (the Environmental Impact Rating). These indicators of performance are based on estimates of annual energy consumption for the provision of space heating, domestic hot water, lighting and ventilation. Other SAP outputs include estimate of appliance energy use, the potential for overheating in summer and the resultant cooling load.

SAP 2012

SAP 2012 is the latest revision of the SAP document.

This 2012 version of SAP has been published to support the 2013 Amendment to Part L of the Building Regulations for England, which will deliver a 6% improvement in new dwelling performance. It is also expected to support the Building Regulations of the Devolved Administrations, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Property Design Solutions Ltd’s Dwelling Energy Assessors (DEA) hold The Certificate of Accreditation through Elmhurst Energy Systems to carry out the role of Energy Assessor for Newly Constructed Dwellings.

Property Design Solutions Ltd can: