Key Issues

SAP is the Government’s standard methodology for assessing the energy consumption in new domestic dwellings. The latest version of SAP is SAP 2005. The SAP scale runs from 1 (poor) to 100 (excellent) and is based on estimated annual energy use for space heating, domestic hot water, ventilation and internal fixed lighting. A SAP of 100 now represents zero energy cost for these items. It can be above 100 for dwellings that are net exporters of energy.

Ground source heat pumps have significantly lower CO₂ emissions than traditional fossil fuel heating systems due to their high efficiencies. Using figures produced by the DTI in conjunction with BRE, a ground source heat pump can show up to a 43% saving in CO₂ over gas and a 57% saving over oil.

SAP 2005 now uses a dwelling’s CO₂ emissions as a standard methodology for assessing the energy consumption in new domestic dwellings and proving compliance with Part L. The lower the CO₂ emission the more energy efficient the building is. Installing a ground source heat pump will increase a building’s SAP rating and help the building meet current Building Regulations.

Indeed, such is the CO₂ reduction, there might be an opportunity, in some cases, to downgrade the insulation specification and still achieve an acceptable CO₂ emission rate. However, this tactic is not recommended simply because any increase in the property’s heat load will result in a higher flow temperature, a less efficient heat pump and higher running costs. Later editions of the SAP software are likely to demonstrate even higher efficiencies for heat pumps.

4. Code for Sustainable Homes.

On 13 December 2006, the Code for Sustainable Homes - a new national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes was launched. The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against categories of sustainable design, rating the ‘whole home’ as a complete package. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level and, within England, replaces the EcoHomes scheme, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). The Code for Sustainable Homes is thought to be a stepping-stone towards all new homes being zero carbon by 2016. It is expected the Code may become mandatory in 2008.

Due to the lower CO₂ emissions from a heat pump it can help meet the mandatory reductions set out within the Code for energy reduction.

The code will provide valuable information to home buyers, and offer builders and Architects a tool with which to differentiate themselves in sustainability terms.

Code Levels Minimum Percentage reduction in Dwelling Emission Rate Over Target Emission rate (as per SAP 2005)

5. Funding and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)

The equipment is fully certified under the government and Energy Company grants schemes, allowing access to substantial grants for the developer to offset any perceived increased capital costs of installing renewable technology.

Renewable Heating Incentive is another attractive funding stream which is set to change the renewables industry altogether.  To read more about this scheme and to find out whether your client can benefit from a £1250 Renewable Heat Premium Payment Voucher, visit Kensa's RHI Update Page. 

6. Merton Rule

Many local councils have now adopted the Merton Rule within their planning requirements. The Merton Rule is named after the first council in the United Kingdom to implement the governments Planning Policy Statement 22: Planning Guidance on Renewable Energy. The policy requires the use of renewable energy onsite to reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the built environment. Hundreds of local authorities look set to follow Merton's lead, which will impact all new major development projects throughout the UK.

The target was originally set at a 10% reduction for all new major developments (major developments are classed as developments of dwellings of 10 or more and for all other uses: where the floor space will be 1000sq metres or more.) However North Devon currently require a 15% CO2 reduction from renewables and Kirklees Council are proposing that by 2011, 30% of energy consumption in every one of its new buildings is from renewable sources. This has drawn a large amount of interest from local authorities across the UK, with over 75 councils drawing up similar policies.

Due to their high efficiencies installing a ground source heat pump to provide the building’s heating will reduce the CO2 emission rate and help meet the building’s 10% (or greater) renewable obligation.

To maximise the benefits of installing a ground source heat pump and indeed any renewable technology, the building needs to be designed to minimise the need for energy with strategies such as effective insulation, passive ventilation, etc. By effectively designing a building, the amount and size of any renewable technology can be considerably reduced compared to a building where energy efficiency has been ignored.