SAP – Standard Assessment Procedure

SAP is adopted by government as part of the UK national methodology for calculation of the energy performance of buildings. It is used to demonstrate compliance with building regulations for dwellings – Part L (England and Wales), Section 6 (Scotland) and Part F (Northern Ireland) – and to provide energy ratings for dwellings.

From 6 April 2008 it is law to provide an Energy Performance Certificate for all new and newly built homes that are completed after that date. Regulations have been made under sections 58B and 58C of Finance Act 2003 to permit relief from Stamp Duty Land Tax for zero-carbon new homes. First the dwelling CO2 emissions are calculated as for building regulations compliance. The calculations are then continued as described in the document “SAP 2005 extension for SDLT”. The conditions for SDLT relief are:

1. The heat loss parameter must be no greater than 0.8 W/m?K.
2. The DER must be no greater than zero.
3. The net CO2 emissions must be no greater than zero.

When is an SAP Calculations required?

SAP Calculations are a Building Regulations requirement for all new residential developments, conversions and some extensions. The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is a measure of the energy efficiency of a property and is the calculation from which an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is generated.

SAP Calculations For Several Building Types:

• New build.
• Extension.
• Conservatories – Highly Glazed Extension with more than 25% glazing-to-floor ratio.
• Barn conversion.
• Commercial to domestic conversions.
• Conversion of a single dwelling into flats or apartments.

SAP Assessors

As qualified SAP Assessors we can provide you with a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) at design stage, which can be submitted direct to Building Control. Upon completion of the building work, we can update the calculations with any necessary changes and provide you with the as built stage SAP compliance report.

U Value Calculations

U values form a key part of the SAP calculations and detailed evidence of the figures used is required. If you are unable to calculate your own u values then we can do this for you, provided we have the full specification of the thermal element.

SAP Calculation Procedure:

Design Stage – Building Control require a Design Stage SAP Calculation to be submitted with your Building Regulations Application.

• Review Your Plans & Specification & Make Any Recommendations.
• Provide Guidance To Achieve A Pass.
• We Guarantee A Pass Based On Our Recommendation.
• SAP Design & Compliance Advice
• Design Stage SAP Calculations.
• Predicted Energy Certificate.
• U-value Calculations.
• Supply All Documents To Meet Your Deadlines.

Built Stage – Building Control require an As-built Stage SAP Calculation and EPC when the building is completed. 

Once construction is complete and the final details have been confirmed, the assessor finalises the SAP calculation and creates the Energy Performance Certificate.  The EPC provides a rating of energy performance based upon the dwelling as it has been built. The EPC must, by law, be displayed in a new dwelling put up for sale on the open market.

In addition there are other documents that are required by Building Control such as the SAP worksheet report and the SAP data input report.  The assessor will provide all of these documents to the client to pass on to their Building Control officer to enable the completion to be signed off.  The exact process here depends upon the location of your building as the system is different is some parts of the UK.

Information required to produce a SAP Calculation.

• Site address and postcode.
• Site plan to include orientation of the dwelling(s).
• Plans of each storey, normally at 1:100 scale.
• Elevations drawings for each elevation.
• Sectional drawings of the dwelling.
• A written specification which must include:
  • Details of the principal heating and hot water system to include make and model of boiler, details of heating emitters, hot water cylinder size (if applicable) and the system controls.
  • Details of any secondary heating system present.
  • Details of ventilation systems.
  • Details of the internal and external lighting.
  • Details of the construction of all different floors to the property to include type and thicknesses of insulation and any other building products used.
  • Details of the construction of all different external walls to the property to include type and thicknesses of insulation and other building products used.
  • Details of the construction of all different roofs to the property to include type and thicknesses of insulation and other building products used.
  • Details of the doors and windows to include sizes, type of frame, type of glazing, thickness of glazing, any low emissivity applications.
  • Details of any renewable technologies utilised such as ground source heat pumps, solar water heating or photovoltaic.

Building regulations are minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building, not supplying the SAP calculation, building control will not authorise your project to commence work on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SAP Calculations?

SAP stands for ‘Standard Assessment Procedure’ and is the government’s method for calculating the energy performance of dwellings. The calculations determine a Target Emissions Rate (TER) and a Target Fabric Energy Efficiency (TFEE) rate. The DER and DFEE must be lower than the TER and TFEE.

Does every extension require an SAP calculation?

As long as any areas of new glazing account for no more than 25% of the new floor area (plus an allowance for existing windows that need to be removed) then you can carry on without an additional calculations.

How long is a SAP EPC valid for?

A full SAP EPC can be used for sale or rent in just the same way as the RdSAP version, and is valid for 10 years.

What does SAP EPC stand for?

A SAP EPC refers to an Energy Performance Certificate issued by an ‘On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor’, using SAP methodology and software.

What is a SAP rating energy?

A SAP rating is the calculation that is required in order to produce a Predicted Energy Assessment and an On Construction Energy Performance Certificate. A SAP calculation indicates a score from 1 to 100+ for the annual energy cost based on: The elements of structure. The heating and hot water system.

What is a SAP test?

SAP is the standard procedure for the energy assessment of dwellings, as set by government. A SAP Assessment measures CO2 emissions, energy costs and thermal performance of building elements.

Do you need an EPC for a new build?

Any new dwelling, or dwellings created by conversion or change of use are required to have SAP Calculations carried out. The assessor will then in turn produce an EPC outlining the energy efficiency of that new build.

How much glass can I have in my extension?

There is a stated guideline for an extension that the glass area must not exceed 25% of the overall floor area.

What is the difference between SAP and RdSAP?

The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the methodology used to produce the certificate for new build homes. The Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) is the methodology used to produce the certificate for an existing home. New Build Dwellings, Conversions, Some Extensions, Change of Use.

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