SAP Calculations are an essential requirement of the Building Regulations and are mandatory for new buildings in the UK. A SAP Rating is required for all new houses under Part L of these building regulations as soon as 1995, so most builders are well aware of it. This rating is a mathematical symbol used to rate how energy efficient your property is. Your rating is expressed as a percentage, which compares well with other properties in your local area, both in square footage and the electricity that you consume every year.
The main SAP Buildings Performance rating is the sum of the following factors: the amount of heat lost through the roof, the amount of air infiltration, the amount of illumination received, the internal temperature of the dwelling, the ventilation of the dwelling and the soil condition. You may also want to include the carbon footprint of your home. When computing for these ratings, you have to take into account many other factors which may affect your rating. For example the position of your dwelling relative to the position of surrounding buildings can change the amount of heat absorbed and lost through the roof. Similarly soil condition can vary dramatically, especially in wet climates where the permeability of the soil can determine how effectively the sun is able to provide light for your dwelling. SAP calculation is an absolute must for any dwelling which uses electricity.
SAP savings, which are shown on the meter by your energy supplier, can be quite substantial. However, in order for SAP to be of benefit to you as an investor, you need to make sure that your property is appropriately insulated. This means that your heating and cooling costs will be reduced and your insulation value increased. There are many different forms of insulation available including wood creosote insulation, foam board insulation, block and brick insulations. SAP calculations are affected by the type of insulation you use and the inclusion of additional systems such as renewable technologies such as solar hot water systems or geothermal heating and air.
There are numerous advantages to implementing an energy efficient home. One of the biggest bonuses is that the overall cost of running your household will decrease significantly. If you utilise passive solar design in your building then you may also qualify for rebates from your energy supplier. Additionally, if you implement the use of high efficiency appliances and equipment, then your energy bills may even be reduced. SAP assessors will check that the house is compliant with the most recent energy laws, which should include certain measures such as installing a properly insulated roof, ensuring proper glazing, properly insulated doors and windows and making sure that you keep the thermostat set at a comfortable level.
If your property meets the criteria for inclusion of renewable technologies then the costs of using them will also be factored in. This is particularly important if you are wishing to include geothermal heating and air. SAP will check that the house is properly insulated and that it meets building regulation standards. In order to take full advantage of your renewable technology you will need to have an SAP calculator so that you can calculate the monetary savings that you could make, by implementing the use of these technologies.
There are several factors which influence the value of a property and this includes building regulations and SAP calculations. You will have to ensure that your dwelling is fully compliant with local building control standards. It is therefore important to keep up-to-date with all the latest developments and adhere to all regulations and restrictions. You may find that the cost of running your household is more expensive than normal. In many cases, you can reduce this cost by improving the design of your dwelling and / or by including green initiatives. If you wish to achieve greater energy efficiency, then you should find out what your rating is and then work on incorporating solutions which will help you to improve your rating.