Information Required to Produce a SAP for EPC

A Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is a government approved method to assess the energy performance of the new dwellings by producing an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Every newly built house requires a SAP.

But what information is required to produce a SAP?

• Floor plans with sections - on design stage, the most important documentation that represents the development and how the insulation will be located. With this information the assessor can establish what are the areas of the heat loss through floor, walls, and roof, as well as lengths of the various junctions of the structures that are required for thermal bridging calculations.

• Specification for the dwelling – an information whether houses will be built as cavity wall, timber frame or differently, with corresponding insulation thicknesses and types. The assessor can then assess them and advise whether the dwelling will achieve compliance or advise on increasing the thermal efficiency of the buildings fabric.

• U values for fenestration – If not specified by the architect, or in case they will need to improve, the assessor will include that in the report. They must be backed up by manufacturer certificates or proved by British Fenestration Rating Council on completion of the project. The assessor will also notify of possible overheating risk and possible remediation to overcome the high temperatures in summer, for example by installation of light-coloured roller blinds.

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning – EPC represents the running costs for space heating; therefore, it is one of the most important factors to include for the SAP calculations. Often situation is that the heating system has not been specified to include the exact make and model; however, the assessor can check how would various heating systems behave and specify the efficiencies they will need to achieve, along with heating controls and additional systems reducing carbon emissions – weather compensators or flue gas heat recovery systems.

• When project has been completed, it is important to send any documentation backing up the installed fenestration (u value certificates), heating (picture of the boiler) and water heating (hot water tank plate picture).

• New registered address of the property – the SAP finishes with an energy rating (EPC) which is visible on the governments database. To correspond with reality and prevent unnecessary issues with mail or Council, the address on the EPC must match the new address of the property.

The list above generalises the overall information required to produce a SAP – if you are not sure whether you’ve got everything right, or would like to discuss it, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information!