What are SAP Calculations and why we do it?

Global warming and the flows of emissions of CO2 from burning fossil fuels have risen rapidly since 1950. Because  of this there have been global political summits held to establish clear global

guidelines to reduce our environmental impact
on the planet.
 

Kyoto Protocol May 2002

Brussels Summit March 2007

COP21-Paris 2015 (Involving 196 countries)
 

EU Politics (Climate and Energy Package)

Known as the 20, 20, 20 targets the three objectives were, the reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions from the 1990 levels by 20%. 20% of EU energy consumption produced from renewable sources and a 20% improvement in the EU's energy efficiency. The targets for 2030 are even more stringent with an additional 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions 27% share of renewable energy consumption and a 27% energy savings compared with business as usual.
 

Although we have left the EU these targets have not changed.
 

In terms of our own domestic policy the climate change act of 2008 includes proposals to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions by 80% from the 1990 levels by 2050. To ensure compliance of the above the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was formulated.

Article 3 states that:
"Every government to adopt a methodology which calculates the energy performance of buildings"

For new builds, this methodology is Standard Assessment Procedure SAP and Energy Performance Certificates EPC's. Document L1A and B 2018 (amendments) are the approved documents used by governments to determine the conservation of fuel and power within both newbuilds
and existing buildings.

EPBD Article 10 states: "the certification of buildings are carried out in an independent manner by qualified and/or accredited experts" with approved qualifications for the works they are to undertake.

All the MSAP assessors are qualified and accredited to the Elmhurst Energy Government Approved Accreditation Scheme for domestic energy ratings and the production of EPC's. Elmhurst are the leading training body for energy assessors and have 25 years’ experience in the
energy rating industry.
 

On 19th January 2021, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) published its long-awaited response to the Future Homes Standard consultation and launched a new consultation called the Future Building Standards. This consultation focuses on changes to Non-Domestic Building regulations, Part F and L for existing buildings and the assessment of
overheating risk.

Elmhurst's on construction team leader commented:
"Following the publication of the responses to the Future Homes Standard consultation we are pleased that MHCLG have also published the consultation covering the remaining areas of Part F and L of the regulations. The change to overheating assessment and two options for the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard in Part L 2021 are particularly significant for OCDEAs. Also, we are pleased to see a tightening of fabric standards for work in existing dwellings, as the energy efficiency requirements for extensions, renovations and conversions have not changed since 2010."

As you can see the energy targets through legislation are constantly changing. The Marsh Group SAP assessors are updated with these changes and regularly attend CPD sessions to ensure they are always up to date with the latest standards. Continuous improvement is the key to and regular updates of the Elmhurst software package ensures they keep in pace with the latest governmental guidelines and at the forefront of industry standards.

​More information can be found at:
 

​www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk

www.bregroup.com/sap/standard-assessment-procedure-sap-2012

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/1422/made

www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservation-of-fuel-and-power-approved-document-l
The Future Buildings Standard - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)