CPS Energy Assessments

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Tel: +44 (0)20 8191 9075

CPS Energy Assessments provides the following services:

1. SAP Calculations
2. SBEM Calculations
3. Energy Statements
4. Sustainability Statements
5. Overheating Assessments
6. Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Reports

7. Commercial EPCs (Levels 3, 4 & 5)
8. EPC Plus Reports
9. Water Efficiency Calculations
10. Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM)
11. ESOS Assessments
12. Building Energy Log Books

Commercial Energy Performance Certificates

 

SAP Calculations

Under Part L1 of the Building Regulations, all new dwellings, and all buildings converted to dwellings, need a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) calculation. Some extensions and renovations may also require a SAP calculation.

SAP calculations measure the heat loss through the building fabric, available sunlight and air permeability. These are then combined with the energy required for heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation and any renewables supplying the dwelling to measure the overall energy efficiency and carbon emission rates of the dwelling. The SAP is also used to create the 'On Construction' Energy Performance Certificate.

SAP calculations are required by Building Control departments, and they are required at two stages, at design stage to check for compliance and at completion to reflect any changes that may have been made during the construction.

For extensions where the glazing is greater than 25% of the floor area, Local Authorities generally require a SAP analysis assessment to demonstrate that the 'existing house with the proposed extension' has less CO2 emissions than the 'existing house with a notional extension'. A notional extension is an extension that meets the minimum standards of Approved Document L1B of the Building Regulations.

SBEM calculations

Under Part L2 of the Building Regulations, all new commercial buildings must pass a Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) calculations. Some extensions, conversions and renovations may also require an SBEM calculations.

SBEMs are used to create the BRUKL compliance document and the Energy Performance Certificate. They measure heat loss through the building fabric, available sunlight and air permeability. These are then combined with the energy required for heating, hot water, lighting and ventilation and any renewables supplying the building to measure the overall energy efficiency and carbon emission rates of buildings.

SBEM calculations are required by Building Control departments, and they are required at two stages, at design stage to check for compliance and at completion to reflect any changes that may have been made during the construction.

Depending on the complexity of the building we can also use Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) 3D software to undertake the SBEM calculations.

Energy Statements

An Energy Statement shows how developments can use renewable technologies and energy efficiency measures to reduce the developments energy demand and carbon emissions. Many planning departments now require an energy statement as part of a planning application.

Energy Statements are not a national law, however local and regional planning departments require them to demonstrate compliance with their policies as part of their commitment to greener buildings. This is most common in urban areas, especially the London boroughs where policies such as the London Plan are in force.

The policy requirements can vary from council to council. Some require an Energy Statement to show a 10% improvement through the use of renewables, others ask for 20%, and some can have different requirements again. To further complicate things, some authorities ask for statements in carbon emissions, while others require data in kilowatt-hours.

Our reports assess the feasible renewable options and energy efficiency measures that your development can achieve in order to comply with the local authorities policies and requirements.

Sustainability Statements

A Sustainability Statement shows a range of appropriate sustainability measures and aspects that are to be incorporated into the development and how it relates with its neighbouring area. Many planning departments now require a Sustainability Statement as part of a planning application.

Sustainability Statements are not a national law, however local and regional planning departments regularly ask for them to demonstrate compliance with their policies as part of their commitment to sustainable developments.

They can include sustainability checklists and assessment methodologies such as BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes, where required.

Overheating Assessments

The risk of overheating in buildings is becoming more prevalent as changing climates and global energy insecurity make the control of indoor climate increasingly problematic. Overheating occurs in a building either through inappropriate design, poor management or inadequate services. Features of a design that support lower winter heating demand (such as large areas of south facing windows, high levels of insulation, low air permeability rates and low thermal mass) can result in excessively high internal temperatures during summer months.

Overheating analysis is typically performed using Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) software which can analyse the occupied spaces and assess performance against criteria set by CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers). Traditionally CIBSE TM52 (The Limits of Thermal Comfort: Avoiding Overheating in European Buildings 2013) guidance has been used. In recent years further guidance has been released in the form of CIBSE TM59 (May 2017) which specifically addresses the overheating risk in homes, along with CIBSE TM49 which provides current and future weather data for London boroughs.

There are several instances where overheating analysis may be required:

  • To provide thermal comfort credits within a BREEAM Assessment
  • To achieve industry standards for thermal comfort i.e healthcare and education
  • Where designers want to reduce risk of overheating
  • To design-out overheating risks in dwellings identified by SAP Calculations
  • As requested as part of the planning application i.e. to meet Policy 5.9 of the London Plan

Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Reports

The indoor air quality of commercial buildings is a subject of public health importance due to the substantial amount of time people spend in these premises. Good indoor air quality can lead to improved productivity at the workplace. On the other hand, poor indoor air quality will cause productivity to drop because of comfort problems, ill health and sickness.

For our Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Reports, monitoring of general indoor air quality parameters such as temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide (CO2) are conducted over a 2-week period using desktop monitoring instrumentations which takes readings of all three parameters every five minutes. The readings are then analysed in the reports and where applicable recommendations are put forward to improve the air quality of the building. The report helps to identify where there is inadequate ventilation within a building, poor levels of humidity and poor controls for heating & cooling systems.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificates (Levels 3 ,4 & 5)  

UK regulations say that all commercial buildings must have a Commercial EPC before they can be leased or sold and furthermore must be available before marketing can commence.

It applies for new and existing commercial buildings. If you’re selling or leasing an existing commercial building in the UK, you will require a Commercial EPC. Once completed the Commercial EPC gives a coloured A-G rating similar to those found on white goods.

Buildings are divided into three different categories, each with their own level of EPC, Level 3, 4 or 5. The different levels are defined by the complexity of the building and the sophistication of the heating, cooling and ventilation systems. CPS Energy Assessments are accredited to carry out Level 3, 4 & 5 EPCs. Level 5 buildings have complex features, like domed or glass roofed atria, or demand controlled ventilation systems and have to be modelled with a Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) 3D software. DSM modelling requires a deeper level of detail and far more work for the assessor than a standard Level 3 or 4 EPC.

EPC Plus Reports

The Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015 also known as the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) came into effect on the 1st of April 2018. The regulation makes it unlawful for a landlord of a property with an 'F' or 'G' EPC rating to grant a tenancy to a new or existing tenant without implementing cost-effective energy efficiency improvements to bring the property up to at least an 'E' band or fulfilling an exemption criterion. These properties in the 'F' or 'G' rating are referred to in the regulation as a Sub-Standard Property.

The Recommendation Report that is produced by the Commercial EPC software is very generic and not totally site specific. CPS Energy Assessments have developed a bespoke EPC Plus Report that gives considered and costed measures to improve the current EPC rating. The report investigates several site-specific measures to improve the Current EPC rating. It also provides indicative capital costs for these measures along with estimated payback periods and rate of returns. Firstly, the report looks at individual measures for improving the EPC rating and then cumulatively combines the measures in order to show the overall effect of implementing multiple measures together.

Water Efficiency Calculations

Part G water calculations arrived in April 2010, when the building regulations for England and Wales were updated with a new section on water efficiency.

All new dwellings must be designed to use less than 125 litres of water per person per day. There’s a specific calculation method for this, before the results are presented to Building Control.

Amongst other things, the calculation measures tap flow-rates, bathtub sizes and toilet flush-volumes, as well as greywater and rainwater systems.

Assessments under Part G building regulations don’t apply to extensions but may apply to conversions or renovations where all the plumbing is being replaced. Some councils may also impose tighter water consumption figures based on local planning conditions.

Dynamic Simulation Modelling

As mentioned above we can use Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) to produce both SBEM Calculations and Level 5 EPCs. DSM is a highly effective way to find out the building’s predicted annual energy usage before it’s constructed. DSM creates a detailed thermal model of the proposed building and can produce a range of parameters about the buildings performance, such as the potential heating, ventilation and cooling loads. While DSM is required for all complex Level 5 Energy Performance Certificates, it can be used to provide detailed analysis for buildings of all levels.

Credits are available in BREAAM 2018 New Construction under ENE01 for undertaking the ‘Prediction of Operational Energy Consumption’ for a proposed building. This advanced energy modelling uses DSM to produce the following scenarios based on an agreed operational energy performance

  1. Central Case – This is the central case energy model for the expected occupancy and equipment loads with detailed HVAC system modelling, “typical” weather and central case management factors for servicing systems and equipment and uses reference year weather data.
  2. Good Management - As for Central Case prediction but with “typical” weather and a management factor of 1.0 applied for all servicing systems and equipment.
  3. Poor Management - As for Central Case prediction but with a management factor of 1.15 applied for all servicing systems and equipment.
  4. Extreme Weather - As for Central Case prediction but using an extreme weather file.
  5. Worst Case - As for Central Case prediction but with a management factor of 1.15 applied for all servicing systems and equipment prediction and using DSY weather file.

ESOS Assessments

The Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is a mandatory energy assessment scheme for organisations in the UK that meet the qualification criteria. The Environment Agency is the UK scheme administrator. The mandatory energy assessment applies throughout the UK to all large companies with over 250 employees or have an annual turnover in excess of €50 million euro. Organisations that qualify for ESOS must carry out independent ESOS assessments every 4 years. These assessments are audits of the energy used by their buildings, industrial processes and transport to identify cost-effective energy saving measures.

The deadline for the first compliance period was 5th December 2015, but if this deadline was missed action still needs to be taken. We are now in Phase 2 of ESOS and the next compliance date is 5th December 2019, with the qualification date of the 31th December 2018.

Building Energy Log Books

Since the Building Regulations Part L2 was updated in 2006 it has been a requirement to provide information about the fixed building services and controls of the new or altered building. The approved documents recommend that building log books are a way of achieving this efficiently. The logbook covers how a building is intended to work and how it is meant to be maintained and serviced. It also provides a means to record the energy use and maintenance of the services within the building. Log books provide a simple, easily accessible summary of a new or refurbished building rather than the detail contained in extensive O&M manuals. The easy way to show compliance with new Part L is to produce a building log book based on the template and guidance in CIBSE TM31 (Building Logbook Toolkit). It gives detailed guidance on the scope, structure and contents of the log book and who should keep it up to date. CIBSE TM31 provides a standard toolkit for a log book and suggests a typical structure so that a reader, who may be unfamiliar with a building, can quickly assimilate all the information required to understand the design intent of a building, from an energy point of view

It is also important for the building manager to keep the log book up to date by incorporating new information or revising details throughout the life of the building, and this is best achieved by conducting an annual review of the contents.

We can produce building energy log books for clients in hard copy and electronic format.

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