Home energy rating scheme to be modernised
Methodology which measures the energy ratings of housing in the UK will undergo changes and be improved, announced the Building Research Establishment (BRE) today.
The BRE, an organisation which works to raise standards of the built environment, will be teaming with BEIS to develop a new version of the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP).
This system, used for assessing and comparing the energy rating of housing, also helps to create Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and to assess energy conservation requirements of Building Regulations in the UK.
Under the project, the BRE will lead several organisations, academics and industry leaders to develop a new methodology, ‘SAP 11’, which will be used to better measure and understand the energy performance of homes.
BRE will be completely reforming the system and creating a new version which is better suited to decarbonising technologies, such as heat pumps, renewables, storage technologies and smart control devices.
It’s hoped SAP 11 will be part of the Future Homes Standard, measures to be introduced on new homes built from 2025 to ensure they’re fitted with low-carbon heating systems in an effort to reach the UK’s net zero target.
These plans also fit with the government’s recent Energy Security Strategy, as energy efficient homes will lessen demand for foreign oil and gas.
The development will be informed by experts from other organisations who will support the project directly or be involved in its reviewing and validating process.
John Henderson, Project Director, BRE said: ‘As the UK begins to escalate its net zero initiatives, SAP 11 will be instrumental in the effort to decarbonise the nation’s existing housing stock and ensure the use of low-carbon heating in new homes. As the new methodology will improve EPC accuracy, energy efficiency measurements will be more reliable than ever. Effective assessment of energy performance is going to be absolutely central to our progress towards net zero.’
Photo by Belinda Fewings