SAP CALCULATION SERVICES

We offer fast, affordable turnaround on your SAP assessment calculations. We offer this for new builds and extensions throughout the UK.

SAP calculations are an essential part of modern-day building regulations. We offer a fast and reliable service to sites and self builds across the country.

What Is A SAP Assessment?

SAP stands for ‘Standard Assessment Procedure’ and has been part of building regulations since 1995. SAP calculations are an official, government approved system for assessing the energy rating for a new build home. Consequently, a SAP report must be produced by an accredited and registered member of a certification body. Click here for a SAP assessment checklist.

There are two stages of SAP calculations:

• Design stage
• As built stage

Design stage – An initial review of the plans and drawings for the dwelling. They also take into account the details from the building design specification. This information allows for an estimated energy performance of the finished building. This is also known as a predicted energy assessment.

As built stage – As Built Sap bridges the gap between the design of the building on paper and the finished dwelling. It is common for details to alter throughout the build process. Due to this, the details from the design stage Sap must be updated to reflect the finished dwelling. Finally, once approved an EPC Certificate can be released.

What do SAP’s tell me?

A SAP Rating is a way of comparing energy performance of different homes; a figure will be generated between 1 and 100+ (with 100 representing zero energy cost and anything over means you have excess of energy). Therefore, the higher the SAP rating, the lower the fuel costs and the more energy efficient the home is.

This figure is based of the construction of the home including its: build specification, heating system, internal lighting and any renewable technologies. It does not include energy used for cooking or appliances. SAP calculations also provide a target for your Air Tightness test, ranging from a figure of 0 -10 m3.h/m2. This target score can be located on your initial compliance report.

When should I get my sap calculations done?

Once you have a confirmed plan of the build it is best to start! Overall energy performance is dictated by early structural elements of the build. It is much easier and cheaper to identify any problems with the proposed build at the start then making any alterations at the end.

Recommendations

Due to the unique aspect of SAP calculations there are numerous factors that result in non-compliance. However, there are a few simple tips to make compliance easier:

Maximise on insulation this includes both the thickness and quality to achieve low u-values for the calculation
Boiler controls although the type of boiler makes a difference, simple controls such as Zoned heating and load / weather compensators are often neglected but can make a substantial difference.
Windows and doors the lower the u-values of windows and doors the better. With modern day builds having more natural light, it is important to ensure your windows are sufficient!
Air tightness all new builds are subject to an air tightness test and this has a huge impact of your SAP calaculaitons. If you pay attention throughout the build it can help to make huge savings. Follow are helpful guides to achieve
Thermal bridging This is heat loss through junctions with external walls. Follow a scheme such as Accredited Construction Details (ACD’s). This will allow us to avoid using default figures that usually over estimate the effects of these junctions.

EXPERT ADVICE

Airtight testing Staffordshire are here to help you move quickly and easily through the process.
Our experienced sap assessors can offer expert advice to achieve compliance not just quickly but as cost effectively as possible.
We can also offer a wide range of services to pass building regulations easier than ever before!