BUILDING EFFICIENT TESTING AND ASSESSMENT TO NEW HOUSES
AIR TESTINGToo many air leakage points lead to unnecessary heat loss and discomfort for the occupiers from cold draughts. Because of the increasing need for higher energy efficient buildings and the need to demonstrate this for the future, building legislation has become more controlled over the performance of new dwellings by introducing air tightness testing.SAPAll new dwellings require a Standard Assessment Procedure or SAP as it is formally known. It is the Government approved method of assessing the energy performance of new dwellings in order to demonstrate compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations.The SAP calculation measures the CO emissions and energy performance/efficiency of a residential unit. The results produce an energy performance certificate, which, along with the SAP calculations, are mandatory on all new build residential.EPCAn Energy Performance Certificate or EPC is a certificate which provides data to show the energy rating of a building. This is produced by using the SAP Methodology, by an On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor. Any new dwellings either newly built, or by conversion methods or by change of use, are required to have a SAP assessment carried out, which after that is completed produces an EPC outlining the efficiency of the dwelling. WATER EFFICIENCYBuilding Regulation requirements G2 stipulates that a reasonable provision must be adopted when the installation of fittings and fixed appliances must now provide water efficient methods to prevent over- consumption of water. The proposed consumption of the water by persons occupying the dwelling, from new build or conversion construction routes, must not exceed 125 litres per person per day.