Energy in buildings

The energy we use within buildings is responsible for almost half of global CO2 emissions. This CO2 comes from the energy used to construct them, to power them and the energy we use within them.

By far the easiest way to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted by buildings is to reduce their requirement for heating, cooling and lighting. This can be done both with passive design features and energy efficient technologies.

Once the requirement for energy in buildings has been reduced to a minimum it is right to start looking at ways to provide the energy we do need with as little CO2 as possible. This can be done by producing energy on-site with micro-renewables, producing energy locally with community schemes and by changing the ways we provide energy to the national grid.

Every new dwelling built in England, Scotland and Wales now requires a Domestic Energy Assessment and a resultant Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). this is produced using the SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) calculation as detailed within Building Regulations Approved Document L1A.

Part L2 of the building regulations which examines commercial property uses the SBEM (simplified building energy model) method for assessing energy usage.

We have a team of consultants able to undertake new and existing assessments for commercial and residential developments within the UK. Call for details and prices.