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SAP Calculations & EPCs

SAP Calculations & EPCsCalculating and certifying the energy performance of your self build project - What you need to know

 

Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)

The Standard Assessment Procedure is the Government’s method system for measuring the energy efficiency and carbon emission rates of residential dwellings.

It calculates the energy requirement for space and water heating, ventilation and internal lighting. As well as producing a SAP rating, on a scale from 1-100, it also gives the carbon emission rate in terms of kg/m² per year.

SAP 2005 has been used as the basis for checking new dwellings for compliance with building regulations in the United Kingdom requiring the conservation of fuel and power since:

  • 6th April 2006 (England & Wales: L1 Approved Document)
  • 1st November 2006 (Northern Ireland Technical Booklet F1)
  • 1st May 2007 (Scotland Technical Handbook 6, Domestic).

U-values

The U-value measures how well a building component keeps hot or cool air (according to climate) inside the building and is crucial to understanding the amount of energy that is needed to keep a comfortable inside temperature.

The measurement defines the heat flow through a given building element. The higher the U-value the more heat flows through so a good U-value is a low one as you want to keep heat inside the building or outside depending on the climate you live in.

The U-value physically describes how much thermal energy in Watts [W] is transported through a building component with the size of 1 square meter [m²] at a temperature difference of 1 Kelvin [K] (=1ºC). Thus the unit for U-values is W/m²K.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is a crucial legislative component of the energy efficiency activities of the European Union designed to meet the Kyoto commitment and respond to issues raised in the Green Paper on energy supply security.

The Directive is designed to promote the improvement of energy performance of buildings and amongst its requirements is the application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of new buildings and energy performance certification of buildings through the introduction of EPCs.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

Since April 2008 all new build properties require an EPC. Knauf Insulation can ease the requirements of SAP calculations and Energy Performance Certification on your self build project through our dedicated calculation centre at www.tools.knaufinsulation.co.uk.

This features a range of calculation tools including the only FREE to use fully BRE approved SAP Calculator, a Model Design Calculator, an HVAC Calculator and an Elemental U-value Calculator.

EPCs made easy

Knauf Insulation is the only building products manufacturer to receive government approval of its own accreditation scheme for on-construction domestic energy assessors, enabling us to simplify the process of gaining an EPC for your self build project.

Rely on our expertise to help you

Knauf Insulation can relieve some of the headaches of calculating your project’s energy performance. Visit www.tools.knaufinsulation.co.uk for a range of dedicated calculation tools - including the only FREE to use, fully BRE approved SAP Calculator, a Model Design Calculator, an HVAC Calculator and an Elemental U-value Calculator.

We also have our own expert team of certified assessors available to evaluate and produce the EPC for your project. Our unrivalled levels of technical support will ensure that there are no hidden costs or delays in achieving the required energy performance.

 

KICC Logo

Knauf Insulation Calculation Centre (KICC)

http://tools.knaufinsulation.co.uk/

The Knauf Insulation Calculation Centre (KICC) is a set of online tools deisgned to help with complicated and long winded insulation calculations. Have a look at some of the comments users have made about the KICC. Completely free to use, the KICC comprises:

KICC - SAP 2005 Calculator Logo

BRE LogoSAP 2005 Calculator v2.0

Now approved by the BRE! The SAP 2005 Calculator follows the calculation methods specified in ADL1A and SAP 2005 documents to determine compliance of your dwelling with the latest regulations.

KICC - Model Design Calculator Logo

Model Design Calculator

Use this programme for an initial viability assessment of compliance. It has been designed to provide this with only basic information on the proposed dwelling. To comply with regulations, your dwelling must be tested, and meet requirements, in approved SAP 2005 software such as the Knauf Insulation SAP 2005 Calculator.

Now updated to assess against England & Wales, Northern Ireland and Scottish regulations!

KICC - HVAC Calculator Logo

HVAC Calculator

Use this to complete heat loss, discharge temperature, condensation risk and time to freeze calculations for pipes and vessels.

KICC - Elemental U-Value Calculator

Elemental U-Value Calculator

Coming soon...

Visit http://tools.knaufinsulation.co.uk/ to find out more.

For Technical Advice Call 01744 76 66 66