EPC
EPCs became a legal requirement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2008. The regulations set by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) require an EPC to be commissioned before a building is put on the market or it is rented. Your property’s EPC needs to be available as soon as you start to market your property for sale or rent. It will inform people how energy efficient the property is and will cover any potential savings on fuel payments.
One of our assessors will visit your property within 48 hours. After completing the survey, the assessor will take 1-2 days to complete the EPC. A draft copy will be sent at first and the final certificate will be provided once payment has been received. There are no up-front payments before the survey.
In order to carry out the EPC, the assessor will need to carry out a survey of the property to gather the required information. As he goes around the property, he will need to take multiple photos to gather evidence to support the data entered into the software. Following the visit, your EPC is created using all the measurements and evidence gathered on site.
The accredited assessor will take measurements of all levels of the property. This will allow them to sketch a plan for each level, including area calculations, heat loss perimeters, the location of party walls, internal room layouts, sheltered and alternative walls, all extensions, conservatories and roof-rooms, any excluded/thermally separated areas etc. He will take photographs of elevations of the property, showing doors, openings, extensions, conservatories, insulation levels, main and secondary heating systems (including radiators and boilers) as well as any other feature of the property, such as wall constructions, photovoltaics and any other system that’s present. The photographs will also document any access issues, such as furniture obstructions or locked cupboards.
An EPC is valid for 10 years and can be used multiple times during this period. The EPC will expire after 10 years and a new EPC (valid for the next 10 years) should be produced if the property is marketed for sale or rent at that time.
SAP Assessment
For a new residential development or conversion, Building Regulations require a SAP calculation on your property.
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the methodology for assessing and comparing the energy and environmental performance of dwellings. The SAP works by assessing how much energy a dwelling will consume and how much carbon dioxide (CO2) will be emitted when delivering a defined level of comfort and service provision, based on standardised occupancy conditions. This enables a like-for-like comparison of dwelling performance.
SBEM Calculation
An SBEM assessment is required at the beginning and end of a construction project. A commercial new build structure which exceeds 50m2 in floor area requires an SBEM Calculation. Some commercial extension and conversion projects might require an SBEM Calculation. SBEM calculates the carbon dioxide emissions and monthly energy use of a building to demonstrate compliance with Part L2 of Building Regulations.
Do you need assistance with an EPC, SAP assessment or SBEM calculation?
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