SAP Calculations In Chelmsford - Call 01245 867 014

What Are SAP Calculations?

SAP calculations (or SAP calcs) are the Government's Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Ratings. In order to produce an On Construction EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) or a PEA (Predicted Energy Assessment) a SAP calculation is required, as the result is what these certificates are based on. SAP ratings are a useful way of comparing the energy performance from home to home.

The resulting rating from your SAP calculation represents the cost of energy required by a Chelmsford property over the course of a year. The higher the score, the lower the cost of running it - 100 means there's no energy cost. The SAP takes into account a variety of factors such as, but not limited to, the lighting, heating, hot water systems, renewable technologies used and the elements of structure.

Why Do I Need A SAP Calculation?

Under Part L of Building Regulations in Chelmsford, since 2006, new dwellings and conversions need to have SAP calculations and Predicted EPCs before any work can begin. We can help you with your approved L1A documents to show compliance.

It is the responsibility of the builder to provide any On Construction EPCs when a home is constructed. This will also apply if a building is converted into fewer or more units (material change of use) and changes are made to the heating, hot water provision or air conditioning/ventilation services.

For a building conversion - where there has been a material change of use - you will need to show compliance with Approved Document L1B to Building Control in Chelmsford.

A TER DER Calculation can be undertaken for anyone from estate agents and home owners to energy companies and landlords. If you're unsure on anything related to your SAP calc then don't hesitate to get in touch and our SAP team will help point you in the right direction.

If you are selling a home before it has been built, you will need to provide information about energy efficiency in a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) as well as a pass on the SAP calc.

What About My Extension?

SAP Calculations are required for extensions under certain conditions:

• If the glazing exceeds the 25% allowance
• A single dwelling is being turned into multiple flats
• A commercial property is changing to a domestic property
• Barn conversions

If you're unsure whether you need a SAP Calculation, please contact our SAP team on 01245 867 014 who will be happy to assist you.

How Is A SAP Assessment Undertaken?

A SAP is done off-site but requires plans and drawings of the site in order to be calculated, supplied by the client at the design stage. Amongst other things, the SAP assessor will determine how good the thermal elements are in the floors and walls and how well heat passes through these elements - this is known as a 'U' value. A high 'U' value represents a high amount of heat lost - this is used in the SAP calculation.

The SAP software will determine if a building complies with Building Regulations in Chelmsford using the information provided by the SAP assessment. This crucial information relates to the type of dwelling, floors, walls, the roof, windows, doors, lighting, renewable technologies, 'U' values, hot water and ventilation. Not everything energy-related is required - cooking appliances, for example, are not included in the calculation.

There are many components that make up the SAP calc - such as Heating Controls, Fabric Energy Efficiency (DFEE/TFEE) and Air Permeability. These cover how well the building maintains its heat by looking at where warm air can escape and how good the materials used are at keeping the warm air in.

What's Provided And When Should We Start?

It's never too early to get our qualified SAP assessors involved in your project who can provide you with everything you need to ensure compliance with Building Regulations in Chelmsford.

As well as the SAP calculation itself, we provide all the crucial SAP documentation including Overheating Calculations, U-Value Calculations and for commercial builds, the Design-Stage EPC.

Minimising Energy Use With A SAP Calculation

A SAP assessment might be a government requirement in Chelmsford but, other than showing compliance, there are cost-related benefits too. An architect or a designer can use the information from a SAP calculation, like heating systems and construction information, to lower carbon emissions and minimise the building's energy use - which in-turn will lower running costs.

How Do I Get A Passing SAP?

Passing SAPs across Chelmsford are gained by complying with building regulations, specifically the targets for Carbon Dioxide emissions, heat retainment, solar gain and the quality of construction including commissions of systems.

How to pass a SAP calculation is one of the most commonly asked questions - while also the most difficult to answer. The results can change from building to building and can fail or pass based on anything from the type of boiler to the amount of insulation in the floor.

There's no SAP calculation guide to follow that will guarantee a pass but there are some things you can do to give you the best chance of achieving that passing score. Checking seals and making sure doors and windows are of a good standard for keeping the heat in is a good place to start. Similarly, you should not take floor, roof and wall insulation lightly and include as much as you possibly can. Not only to keep heat in, but you will not need to counter your lack of insulation with expensive renewable technologies further down the line - with insulation being difficult to add to upon completion of a build.

With heat loss being a big part of making sure your building doesn't waste energy, all seals need to be airtight. All new builds require an air leakage test when complete anyway, and this is another reason to check your seals and make sure nothing is escaping that shouldn't be. A poor air permeability score will not only fail your air test but will likely mean you're losing too much energy to pass the SAP assessment also.

Need Help With Your SAP Calculation?

There may be no rulebook to follow to achieve a passing SAP but our trained assessors have been undertaking SAP calculations for years and will use all that knowledge to ensure your meet building regulations and give you the best possible chance to achieve that sought after passing score. You can call our SAP team on 01245 867 014, drop them an email at query@sap-calculations-chelmsford.co.uk or chat with someone online.