An SBEM or Simplified Building Energy Model, is a Government Defined process in accordance with Building Regulations Part L2a and Part L2b. It is the calculation of the energy performance of new commercial, industrial and or retail buildings. As from 7th April 2007 all new buildings would require an SBEM Calculation.
Changes to Part L (Conservation of fuel and power) of Building Regulations came into force on 15 June 2022 in the form of two new Approved Documents.
The changes in Part L are a major step in the government’s drive to become carbon neutral. There are higher performance targets – CO2 emissions are reduced by 31% for dwellings and 27% for other buildings – and a new emphasis on low carbon heating systems. These are an interim step towards the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard that will arrive in 2025. The new Part O Building Regulation that deals with overheating in domestic dwellings and residential like commercial properties such as care homes and student accommodation was first published on 15th December 2021. The guidance surrounding this new Building Regulation is laid out within Approved Document O: Overheating. We are here to offer help, advice, and start the process with you to get your Building Regulations under way.
Under Part L of the Building Regulations, thermal bridging must be considered in Standard Assessment Procedures (SAP) and Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) calculations.
Thermal bridges can account for 20-30% of the heat loss in a typical new build home. As homes become better insulated thermal bridges become even more significant.
Thermal bridging results in heat loss through junctions in the building fabric. The junctions include wall-roof and wall-floor junctions, party walls, corners, cills, jambs, lintels, and any other significant junctions of the building fabric. Their effects are expressed as a linear thermal transmittance value. This is used to arrive at a Y-value: a factor, which allows calculation of the building’s overall heat loss through thermal bridges.
There are a number of accredited or calculated psi values which are available for use within a SAP Calculation from accredited bodies or insulation or building fabric manufacturers.
Accredited Construction Details and associated Psi values for a new build design are available from the Planning Portal web site.
Alternatively, you can have your Psi values calculated by a suitably qualified person in accordance with BR 497 and forward them to us for use in your calculations.
A SAP Calculation is The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for energy ratings of dwellings. It is a Calculation of a buildings energy efficiency.
An SBEM or Simplified Building Energy Model, is a Government Defined process in accordance with Building Regulations Part L.
An Energy Performance Certificate shows the official energy rating of a property and its environmental impact on a scale from A to G.
Simulation modelling enables us to assess every aspect of thermal performance, from annual energy consumption and carbon emissions down to individual surface temperatures.
An Air tightness test consists of a computerised fan being fitted to a main entrance or suitable doorway.
There are two types of sound test - airborne and impact. Airborne tests are carried out on walls and floors separating dwellings, impact tests are carried out on floors separating dwellings.
Under Approved Document E, all residential properties must provide a good level of acoustic insulation between dwellings.
BREEAM is the world's foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings
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