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EPC Energy ratings Energy advice Energy efficiency report SAP RdSAP Survey Heating Energy performance. Whats it all about? - Energy performance of a building is the amount of energy actually consumed or estimated to meet the different needs associated with a standardised use of the building, which may include, heating systems, hot water heating, cooling,ventilation and lighting. Standardised usage assumes the heating pattern of a property over 9 hours of a day during a week and 16 hours a day at weekends; with the living area heated to 21C and the rest of the house to 18C. The Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are designed to provide people with an accurate and relevant summary of the energy performance of a building. The physical survey undertaken involves a detailed review of a property in terms of its construction, heating systems, insulation, lighting, etc. This data is then input into powerful software to outline the energy use and efficiency of a property. It is calculated by using a nationally-set standard that allows property from vary parts of the UK to be easily compared. The main use of energy ratings currently is to set standards for Building Regulations, and for Housing Association and Local Authority housing. Energy ratings are now an essential part of the house buying process, providing independent information on the efficiency and likely running costs of different properties. Energy advice reports help to prioritise different ways to save energy. Some improvements make obvious sense but others can be expensive and realistic only when something needs replacing. For example, loft insulation and hot water cylinder insulation are obvious improvements, cheap and easy to install and can often save enough money to see real savings within a year. Alternatively, installing double glazing and replacing a central heating boiler are more expensive, take longer to recoup the cost and are often only considered as a necessity. Energy efficiency certificates are designed to provide enough information to help in decision making when choosing to invest in energy efficiency measures. The report offers an independent comparison of the options. For example adding new double glazing to a property may add around 2-4 SAP points to a property yet installing the latest gas boiler may easily increase a SAP rating by some 20 points. SAP stands for Standard Assessment Procedure. It calculates a rating for the energy performance of the built structure of a home, its heating, hot water and lighting systems. Reduced Data SAP is the survey the UK Government uses to produce Energy Performance Certifictates. It is required by a European Directive - the Energy Performance of Buildings. RdSAP places the SAP rating on an energy scale between A-G and similarly for an environmental rating. How does the survey system work? Information is collected regarding the age of a building, its construction, insulation qualities, heating and hot water systems and any renewable energy systems such as solar panels. In addition the area of the walls is required so that powerful software can determine the heat loss walls of the property. Furthemore, additional information relating to floor area, room heights and alternative walls is gathered. The annual cost of heating a home depends upon the energy required to maintain set standards of comfort; allowing for heat losses, the efficiency of the heating system in turning energy in to heat, the quantity of fuel needed to provide energy and the price of fuel. The cost will also be offset by the presence of any renewable energy sources. Information is therefore gathered about the main heating system of a home, the fuel used, the use of a ny secondary heating and its effectiveness in heating a home, the water system, the type of hot water storage as well as the controls related to the space and water heating systems.
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Ceri Lewis & Associates Ltd, 29 Dunraven Road, Sketty, Swansea SA2 9LG. +T 01792 417746 +M: 07772 922970
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