SAP Assessment Standard Assessment Procedure for On Construction New Build Homes

SAP Assessment otherwise known as Standard Assessment Procedure is applied to determine the SAP Rating of new build dwellings (homes) also known as "on construction" dwellings, there are two parts to the assessment of such buildings:

(1) SAP Assessment - this is a calculation of the CO2 emission rating which is submitted to Building Control for new property build which must meet the latest Building Regulations for energy efficiency.

In addition to the above

(2) SAP Ratings - this is a cost based rating system and provides guidance to home buyers on a home's annual energy costs and usage from heating, hot water, and ventilation. This is similar to the RdSAP method which shows these costs in a summary on the Energy Performance Certificate for an existing dwelling.

For non-dwellings a procedure known as SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) will be the preferred method used on large commercial/industrial scale buildings. SBEM has been developed by BRE, again this is a computer software based model to establish energy ratings for the production of energy performance certificates. See also Commercial EPC Training.

SAP Assessments

These Assessments are carried out in two stages. Firstly, a new dwelling has a Target Emission Rating (TER) and the SAP Assessor will calculate the TER. The TER is based on the dwellings size, shape, and form of build detachment. The target calculation makes standard assumptions about other design specifics for the property, for example the type of heating used, standard of insulation in the construction, and the amount of glazing in the property.

Secondly, a new build dwelling emission rating (DER) is calculated, this is based on all the actual design specifics. In order to pass the Building Regulations, the DER must be no greater than the TER. Using this method ensures that it is no more onerous for large detached dwellings to achieve compliance than small terraced homes.

The calculations must be applied correctly, errors that are made at the design stage may only be apparent later and this could prove costly for the property developer to rectify. Only authorised SAP assessors are permitted to produce SAP energy certificates. To meet Regulation 20D of the Building Regulations 2006, certificates should carry the Government SAP logo, a kite mark, and a UKAS Royal Crown accreditation mark. These three logos confirm that the certificate was issued by an Authorised SAP Assessor who is competent to carry out the associated calculations for on construction dwellings.

Property developers and builders are being encouraged by building control bodies to use authorised SAP assessors only, where this benefits both the property developer and building control. The property developer gets professional guidance at the outset, where it is most cost effective. Building control is issued with energy assessments that can be accepted without further verification.

SAP Ratings

A SAP rating provides a rating based on energy costs for example higher rated dwellings have lower energy losses and as a result will be cheaper to run. The costs associated with cooking appliances and domestic appliances are excluded from the rating. The scale applied to ratings is from 0 to 100. A property with a rating of 100 will have a zero net cost for space heating, hot water, and ventilation. Dwellings using a costly form of energy, such as electricity, will be rated lower due to the higher costs of the "fuel" used.

SAP ratings make standard assumptions about a home's occupancy, the internal temperatures in rooms, heating appliance usage, and geographical location of the dwelling. Ratings are based upon costs per square metre of living space in the dwelling, and are essentially independent of dwelling size for a given built form.

SAP ratings also have a banding system, from A to G, like those used to rate domestic appliances, the banding system is similar to that used for existing dwellings Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). Band A properties are rated at 92 and above, Band B is in the range 81 to 91, and Band C in the range 69 to 80. Most new dwellings built to 2006 Regulations have ratings of around 80.

Use of an expensive form of energy for heating, such as "on peak" electricity, will result in ratings below 70, the method of heating and it's control plays an important part in determining the SAP Rating.

Where can I find a SAP Assessor?
To locate an authorised SAP assessor please refer to our directory: Energy Assessors

Additional energy assessment methods information and guidelines to assessor training can be found at:

EPC Commercial Industrial Buildings
SAP Assessors
SAP Assessor Training
SBEM
Energy Assessor Training Accreditation
New Build EPC
Existing Property EPC
Domestic Energy Assessor Training

Commercial Energy Assessor Directory of SAP & SBEM Consultants - Commercial Property Energy Performance Certificates EPCs and providers of energy assessment will be required for all other properties in the future including energy certificates for Social Housing inspection and Rented Property sectors. A Commercial Energy Assessor Forum is available online, with discussion board with matters relating to energy certificates for commercial/industrial buildings.

Commercial Buildings EPC Energy Training - A guide for available courses and assessment centres for Energy ratings and calculations for non-residential dwellings.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificate DEC Provider, SAP Ratings Assessor, or SBEM Consultants? Surveyors - Please refer to contact page and send your details to us for inclusion in the directory.

SAP Assessment for On Construction New Build Homes

SAP Assessment Standard Assessment Procedure for On Construction New Build Homes - SAP Assessors