Existing Buildings – Retrofit
Posted on February 20th 2024
The UK building stock is vast, with England and Wales alone accounting for close to 27 million dwellings and 2 million non-residential buildings (as of 2022). This stock is also incredibly variable, with a significant proportion of existing buildings in need of retrofitting to improve quality and to bring them in line with UK net zero targets. Retrofitting to improve …
Zero Carbon Buildings
Posted on February 3rd 2023
We know that a development’s energy strategy must do so much more than deliver a planning consent or ensure compliance with the Building Regulations. First and foremost, we understand that any zero carbon strategy must be both practical and workable. However, a whole array of additional needs must also be considered. We will steer you through the complexities of energy-related …
Energy & Fabric Performance Evaluation
Posted on July 15th 2019
Many projects have a ‘performance gap’, which is the difference between design stage and as-built performance. Understanding the extent of this gap is vital for reducing costs, ensuring good quality construction, and providing feedback and recommendations for future projects. Part L (2021) of the Building Regulations introduces a requirement for photographic evidence to be provided for each dwelling as a …
Condensation & Moisture Management
Posted on October 4th 2018
As levels of thermal insulation and air tightness in buildings are improved, moisture management has become an increased concern. Approved Document Part C2, resistance to moisture, provides you with limited clarity as it references withdrawn guidance and calculation methodologies. We use our extensive understanding of moisture and heat movement within buildings to provide design advice, as well as a thorough …
Alternative Methods of Construction
Posted on May 15th 2014
Alternative methods of construction involve a wide range of techniques and materials, and can be defined as a move away from traditional cavity wall construction using bricks and concrete blocks. Achieving increasingly high standards of energy and environmental performance in new buildings can often most appropriately be achieved through the adoption of entirely different methods of construction. Benefits of using …
Passivhaus
Posted on May 1st 2014
Projects certified to a Passive House (also known as Passivhaus) standard represent the gold standard in energy efficient design and build. With around 1,700 buildings in the UK certified as of December 2023, it should no longer be seen as a prerogative of self-builds or arcane planning policy. The Passive House standard can be applied to a variety of project …
Thermal Bridging Analysis
Posted on May 1st 2014
Incremental changes to Part L means that meeting the fabric efficiency standards, as well as London Plan policy standards, requires careful attention to every detail of the design and construction process. So we like to get involved as early as possible, to make sure that every opportunity for maximising the energy efficiency of a building is taken. A particular issue …
Air Tightness Testing
Posted on May 1st 2014
Building Regulations Parts L1 and L2 require air tightness testing of buildings to be carried out before Completion Certificates are issued. Ensuring low uncontrolled air leakage through the building envelopes is a crucial element of all new-build energy efficiency strategies and is integral to achieving compliance with planning and Building Regulations energy and carbon targets. We understand the need for …
SAP (Domestic)
Posted on May 1st 2014
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the methodology used by the Government to assess and compare the energy performance of dwellings, and to assess compliance with Building Regulations Part L1. Our team of experienced experts are qualified to produce SAP calculations and Energy Performance Certificates for both new-build and existing dwellings, and have successfully delivered thousands of SAP assessments. Our …
SBEM (Non-domestic)
Posted on May 1st 2014
SBEM is the Government’s software tool for analysing the energy consumption of non-dwellings. It is used for compliance with Building Regulations Part L2 (reducing CO2 emissions) and for the production of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), both of which are required on the construction or letting of new buildings. Using our DesignBuilder software we’re able to provide energy certificates for both …