Energy Assessment Services in the UK
Energi IQ offers comprehensive energy assessment services that property owners can depend on, specialising in sustainable building solutions. Our team of certified experts provides SAP and SBEM calculations, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Energy Statements, and advanced energy modelling to help property owners across the UK in optimising efficiency to meet regulatory requirements.
SAP Calculation Services for UK Buildings
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Under Part L1 of the Building Regulations 2021, 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 are essential for new builds, conversions, and extensions. They are required to ensure compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. We offer SAP assessments from design to completion. As a result, your project can meet energy standards and secure building control approval. SAP is also used to generate Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which are required for marketing and sale. Additionally, our assessors deliver accurate results and clear guidance. We work efficiently, helping you meet deadlines and avoid project delays.
Building Control departments require SAP calculations at two key stages. First, at the design stage to check for compliance. Second, at completion to reflect any changes made during the construction.
UK SBEM Energy Assessment Services
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Under Part L2 of the Building Regulations 2021, all new Non-Domestic buildings must pass a Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) calculation. Some extensions, conversions and renovations may also require an SBEM calculation.
SBEMs are used to create the BRUKL compliance document and the Energy Performance Certificate. They measure heat loss through the building fabric, sunlight exposure, and air permeability. These factors combine with energy required for heating and cooling. Hot water, lighting, ventilation, and renewable sources are also considered. Together, these elements determine the building’s overall energy efficiency and carbon emission rates.
Building Control departments require SBEM calculations, 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 Statement Assessment for UK Developments
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An Energy Statement shows how developments can use energy efficiency measures and renewable technologies to reduce the developments’ energy demand and carbon emissions.
Energy Statements are not required by national law. However, many local and regional authorities request them for planning applications. They show compliance with policies that support greener buildings. This is especially true in urban areas, including London boroughs where policies like the London Plan apply.
Policy requirements can vary depending on the local authority. Some require a 10% improvement using renewable energy sources. Others may ask for 20% or different targets. Some authorities focus on reducing carbon emissions. Others require energy savings measured in kilowatt-hours.
Our reports assess the feasible energy efficiency measures and renewable options that your development can achieve in order to comply with the authorities’ policies and requirements.
Sustainability
Statements
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A Sustainability Statement shows a range of appropriate sustainability measures. It outlines aspects that developers will incorporate into the development. It also explains how the project relates to its neighbouring area.
Sustainability Statements are not required by national law. However, many local and regional authorities request them for planning applications. They help demonstrate compliance with policies that promote sustainable development.
They can include sustainability checklists and assessment methodologies such as BREEAM where required.
Overheating
Assessments
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Also known as Thermal Comfort Analysis. 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 often occurs due to poor design, inadequate building services, or ineffective management. Furthermore, design features that reduce winter heating demand can cause summer overheating. These include south-facing windows and high insulation levels. Low air permeability and low thermal mass also contribute. Together, these elements can create very high internal temperatures in summer. Moreover, rising global temperatures often make these issues worse. Therefore, proper assessment and mitigation strategies are essential. Building regulations continue evolving to address these challenges more effectively.
We typically perform overheating analysis using Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) software. This software effectively analyses occupied spaces. It also checks performance against criteria set by CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers). Engineers traditionally used CIBSE TM52 guidance to avoid overheating in European buildings. More recently, CIBSE introduced TM59, which specifically addresses overheating risk in homes. They also released 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 SI 4 of the London Plan
Commercial Energy Audit Services UK
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An energy audit is an assessment of a building or facility to identify opportunities to reduce energy use, lower carbon emissions and save money. Through an energy audit, you can learn how to better manage your energy use and improve the efficiency of your operations. Our energy audits are completed in line with the methodology set out in BS EN 16247.
A qualified energy assessor carries out the audit and provides a review of the building’s energy systems, fabric, and equipment. Where commercial utility billing is available, we can also conduct in-depth profiling of the building’s energy usage. In addition, we carry out comparative analysis against industry standard benchmarks, such as CIBSE TM46 Energy Benchmarks.
As part of our energy assessment services UK portfolio, we help businesses identify opportunities to reduce costs. Additionally, we support efforts to improve their environmental performance.
The report includes recommendations to improve a building’s energy performance. This helps businesses make informed decisions about necessary changes. An energy audit is a key step in managing energy costs. It also ensures businesses make use of all available energy-saving opportunities.
Indoor Air Quality
Monitoring Reports
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The indoor air quality of non-domestic buildings is a public health concern due to how much time people spend indoors. Moreover, good indoor air quality can significantly boost productivity in the workplace. Conversely, poor air quality can reduce productivity due to discomfort, illness, and increased sickness absence.
For our Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Reports, we monitor temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2) over two weeks. We use desktop instruments that take readings of all three parameters every five minutes. Our team analyses the data and, where applicable, recommends improvements to enhance the building’s air quality.
The report helps to identify where there is inadequate ventilation within a building, poor levels of humidity and poor controls for heating & cooling systems.
Non-Domestic EPCs
(Levels 3, 4 & 5)
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UK regulations require all Non-Domestic buildings to have a Non-Domestic EPC before owners can lease or sell them. Additionally, property owners must make this EPC available before commencing any marketing activities.
It applies for new and existing Non-Domestic buildings and once completed the Non-Domestic EPC gives a coloured A-G rating similar to those found on white goods.
We divide buildings into three categories, each with its own EPC level: Level 3, 4 or 5. The building’s complexity and the type of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems determine the level. Energi IQ is accredited to carry out Level 3, 4 and 5 Non-Domestic EPCs. Level 5 buildings include features like domed or glass-roofed atria and demand-controlled ventilation. These buildings require modelling with 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
(Non-Domestic)
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The Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015, also known as MEES, came into effect on 1st April 2018. It is now unlawful for landlords to let Sub-Standard non-domestic properties with an ‘F’ or ‘G’ EPC rating. Landlords must make cost-effective improvements to reach at least an ‘E’ rating or qualify for an exemption.
From 1st April 2023, landlords cannot continue letting Sub-Standard non-domestic properties already under lease. Future regulation updates will require tenanted properties to achieve an EPC rating of C or above by 2027. This standard will then increase to a B rating by 2030.
The standard EPC software generates a generic Recommendation Report that may not address site-specific issues. Energi IQ has developed a bespoke EPC Plus Report with costed measures to improve your rating. The report explores several site-specific options to raise the current EPC score.
The report also provides indicative capital costs for each measure along with estimated payback periods. It first looks at individual improvements to the EPC rating. Then it combines these measures to show the cumulative impact of implementing them together.
Water Efficiency
Calculations
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The government introduced Part G water calculations in April 2010, updating the building regulations for England and Wales with a new section on water efficiency.
All new dwellings must use less than 125 litres of water per person per day. To demonstrate this, designers must use a specific calculation method and then present the results to Building Control.
For example, the calculation measures tap flow rates, bathtub sizes, and toilet flush volumes, along with details on greywater and rainwater systems.
Assessments under Part G regulations don’t apply to extensions. They may apply to conversions or full plumbing renovations. Some local or regional authorities may also set stricter water consumption targets based on planning conditions.
Dynamic Simulation
Modelling (DSM)
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We can use Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) to produce both SBEM Calculations and Level 5 EPCs. DSM is a powerful way to predict a building’s annual energy usage before construction. It creates a detailed thermal model and calculates performance metrics such as heating, cooling, and ventilation loads. Moreover, while required for Level 5 EPCs, DSM can also offer in-depth analysis for buildings of any level.
BREAAM 2018 New Construction awards credits under ENE01 for predicting operational energy consumption in proposed buildings. This advanced modelling uses DSM to produce different scenarios based on an agreed operational energy target.
- 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.
- 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.
- Poor Management – As for Central Case prediction but with a management factor of 1.15 applied for all servicing systems and equipment.
- Extreme Weather – As for Central Case prediction but using an extreme weather file.
- 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
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The Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is a mandatory energy assessment scheme for qualifying UK organisations. The Environment Agency acts as the scheme administrator in the UK. ESOS applies to all large companies with over 250 employees or a turnover above £43 million.
As part of our services, our energy assessment services UK team is fully qualified to conduct ESOS assessments for large organisations. In doing so, we ensure they meet all regulatory requirements while identifying valuable energy-saving opportunities.
Organisations that qualify for ESOS must complete independent assessments every four years. These audits review energy use in buildings, processes, and transport to identify cost-effective savings.
SECR
Reporting
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The UK Government introduced Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR) in 2019. SECR runs alongside ESOS and requires organisations to report energy use and carbon emissions in their annual reports. It applies to all quoted companies and large UK businesses with over 250 employees, £36 million turnover, or £18 million on their balance sheet.
According to SECR guidelines, businesses must report on any energy efficiency projects. Furthermore, they should describe the main measures taken to improve efficiency during the reporting period.
Our energy assessment services UK specialists can help your organisation meet SECR requirements efficiently. Moreover, we ensure accurate reporting while identifying ways to improve performance and reduce emissions.
Decarbonisation
using Digital Twins
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Using dynamic simulation modelling, we create a digital replica of your building’s energy performance in a 3D virtual environment. This is commonly known as a Digital Twin. In addition to this, we calibrate the Digital Twin thermal model using real operational data, including billing records, BMS systems, or sensors.
A Digital Twin provides a more dynamic accurate visualisation of how your building behaves and consumes energy like its real-world counterpart.
The Digital Twin allows us to assess multiple energy saving interventions as part of potential retrofit measures, with realistic and accurate energy & carbon savings.
Once we complete all analysis, we issue a technical report providing a pathway to decarbonisation using the results from the Digital Twin analysis.
This advanced approach is a cornerstone of our energy assessment services UK offering, providing clients with data-driven insights that support long-term sustainability goals and regulatory compliance.
Expert Energy Assessment Services Throughout the UK
Contact our team today to discuss how our energy assessment services in the UK can help your property achieve compliance and efficiency. Subsequently, our certified experts, as members of the Energy Institute, will deliver tailored solutions for your specific needs, thus ensuring optimal results for your project.