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SAP is an acronym for Standard Assessment Procedure, and it is a requirement for new dwellings and homes under Part L of Building Regulations in England and Wales and Section 6 for Scotland and Part F1 for Northern Ireland. The government has been requiring the assessment since 1995, but it has a lot more relevance today especially when it comes to everyone’s efforts to conserve energy and become more energy efficient. The experts will tell you that you should have your SAP assessments performed as early in your project as possible, so in case the results are not completely favourable to you, you can at least address the issues without too much difficulty, rather than if your project were well underway and almost completed. But what can you expect from the assessment, and why do you need it? Here’s your all-important guide.
Does your building need it?
As already mentioned, Part L of England and Wales’ Building Regulations require the SAP test for new domestic or residential dwellings.
Is it different from the regular EPC or Energy Performance Certificate?
The Energy Performance Certificate or EPC is required for rentals, property purchases, and property sales in the UK. While an energy performance certificate will not contain a SAP assessment, an assessment or test will always include an EPC. The SAP test will be more thorough than the regular EPC as it considers other factors as well. With the assessment, you will benefit from a more comprehensive and in-depth report regarding your dwelling or building.
What does the calculation refer to in the SAP?
The SAP will come with calculations that you will see as a number, and this will show or reflect the energy expenses associated with running a dwelling place or property. If your calculation is near zero, this means that your property has the highest expenses related to energy, but if you have a score near 100 or 100, then this means that you have a dwelling that has a zero cost of energy. If you have a higher SAP score or calculation, your dwelling place or building can generate more energy than you may need or consume, which means that you may be likely to export excess energy back to the grid (and even potentially make a profit).
What does the assessment look at and consider?
The SAP assessment will be based on a total of four main elements, which include the building’s fabric as well as structure (its insulation and the like), the building’s hot water plus heating system, its lighting system, and the building’s production of renewable energy (via wind turbines and solar panels, etc.).
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What are the documents needed for SAP assessments?
There are various documents and information you may need to prepare for an SAP assessment, and this will include your dwelling or building’s complete address plus its postcode, your floor plans, elevation drawings, and your sectional drawings for the building or structure.
You may need to present supporting documents and information such as details on your construction, lighting, windows, internal doors, and lights for the roof; ventilation system, heating system, cooling system, hot water system, and whatever systems you use for renewable energy.
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