Amendments to the Building Regulations were introduced with effect from 30th November 2006. These amendments relate to Part F - Conservation of Fuel and Power.

The government brought in this new legislation requiring all new dwellings to comply with the SAP 2005 method of reducing carbon emissions. To comply with Building Regulations all new dwellings are required to have a SAP energy rating. Prior to the amendment this was usually produced at the completion of the project but with the new regulations the SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure), TER (Target Emission Rate) & DER (Dwelling Emission Rate) have to be calculated before the project can be submitted to Building Control with a further check on completion of the project.

As a result of this the applicant / agent must submit SAP calculations showing details of the TER versus the DER. It takes into account the following range of factors, which contribute to energy consumption:

• Thermal insulation of the building
• Efficiency, control & fuel used for space and water heating
• Ventilation characteristics of the dwelling
• Solar gain in the dwelling

AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDING REGULATIONS - PART F - CONSERVATION OF FUEL AND POWER

In 1997 the Government gave a commitment at the Koyoto Conference to reduce the carbon emissions from the UK as the result of burning fossil fuels by 20% by 2010. The European Parliament passed legislation requiring Member States to put in place legislation, under the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD), to ensure that all energy usage in new and existing buildings is assessed and made known to owners or those renting, leasing or otherwise using the building.

As buildings are currently responsible for about 50% of the total UK energy use and dwellings account for approximately two thirds of this so it is felt that amendments to the Building Regulations will go a long way to reduce the energy consumption of buildings. The amendments to Part F result in a reduction in carbon emissions of some 40 - 45% on 2005 levels with a similar reduction in fuel bills.

The National Methodology established for calculating energy rating for dwellings is SAP 2005 and SBEM for buildings other than dwellings. These are complex computer software programmes which must be used when calculating the energy rating.

SAP - Standard Assessment Procedure
SAP Calculations are required to adhere to Building Regulations Part F (2006) for the compliance for all new build properties, conversions and extensions.

Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the UK government's approved method of assessing a building's energy performance and is now mandatory for all new build dwellings.

The first part of the SAP calculations involves the assessor working out a Target Carbon Dioxide Emissions Rate (TER) for the dwelling. The next step in the SAP report process sees the assessor calculate the Dwelling Carbon Emissions Rate (DER). If this is equal to or less than the TER then the SAP rating shows a pass and the SAP calculations are complete.

If the DER is not equal to or less than the TER then the SAP assessor will liaise with the client and suggest changes that will improve the DER to ensure that the SAP calculations show a pass.

SBEM - Simplified Building Energy Model
An SBEM calculation aims to ensure that your building is compliant with current building regulations. A large part of the SBEM calculation is to determine whether the U-Values of the Walls, Floor and Roof meet current standards. In order to ensure that this is the case and to gain a pass on the SBEM report it is advisable to make sure that all constructions have as much insulation as possible.

SAP and SBEM Calculations are carried out at the design stage of build and are based on the energy balance taking into account a range of factors that contribute to energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emission.

SAP and SBEM Calculations take into account the following:

• Materials used for the construction of the dwelling
• Area, mass and heat loss perimeter of the building
• Thermal insulation of the building fabric
• Ventilation characteristics of the dwelling
• Efficiency and control of the heating system
• Solar gains through openings of the dwelling
• Fuel used to provide space and water heating
• Renewable energy technologies
• Glazing used in the building
• Lighting and the extent of low energy lighting
• Low and Zero Carbon technologies such as Solar Panels and Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps

A predictive Energy Assessment is produced with the SAP / SBEM Calculations and once the building is complete and tested the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) can be produced.