SAP Assessment

Building developments are being carried all over the UK at the moment with the need for housing continuing to go up. Every new build has several assessments and criteria to adhere to and the Government has a variety of different assessments that have to be carried out in order for the structure to be passed as safe. The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is another Government recommended method system for measuring the energy rating of residential dwellings. The original version was created back in 1995 but since then there has been revised versions in 1998, 2001 and 2005. The idea of the SAP Assessment is to calculate the typical annual energy costs for space heaters, water heating and lighting along with the CO2 emissions. The SAP Assessment provides a score of 1 to 100, with 1 being very poor, and 100 being very good.

The results from this SAP Assessment are used to demonstrate compliance with Approved Document L1A of the Building Regulations, which is a mandatory requirement. This mandatory requirement is for all new build domestic properties, conversions, renovations and extensions, however conversion and renovations however come under Part L1B of the Building Regulations.

When Should the SAP Assessment Take Place?

With the variety of different elements of the build that the assessment has to look at, it is important to have it carried out before any construction work commences. This ensures that if any alterations are required to the design they can be made with as little hassle as possible and limits any further cost to the client in the future. If the design does for some reason fail the SAP rating then you will be provided with reasons behind the failure and the SAP Assessment company involved will be able to discuss suitable recommendations to improve the design to pass Building Regulations. The thinking in the long term is that it will reduce the clients future energy bills whilst also helping the environment, so the assessment is in the interest of the client.

Once the property has been fully constructed the building will require an additional ‘As Built' assessment that must be completed. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must also be produced before the property can be marketed as complete, and to satisfy Building Control.

The SAP assessments form an integral part of the design criteria for the Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment procedures.

Syntegra Consulting Ltd is an Energy Consultancy company who provide a variety of different energy assessments for both residential and commercial sectors in response to the European Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Their many years of experience in the industry along with the qualifications means that their dedicated members are there to help your construction process. Syntegra Consulting provide energy services including SAP Assessments, New Build Predicted Energy Assessments, Energy Performance Certificates, Code for Sustainable Homes Assessments and Air Conditioning Inspections. For more information about all of their energy consultancy services including more information on SAP Assessments, please contact them via the Syntegra Consulting Ltd website or contact them direct.

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