What SAP?

"This ole house is gettin' shaky, this ole house is gettin' old. This ole house lets in the rain, this ole house lets in the cold." - This Ole House by Shakin' Stevens

If you’ve recently moved house, you’re probably familiar with Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). They provide a concise summary of the energy and environmental performance of domestic properties, specifically, an estimate of CO₂ emissions and energy consumption. 

These are used to apply a colour coded performance rating to the dwelling. EPCs must be provided whenever a property is sold or rented and provide useful information to the new occupier as a starting point to estimate the likely environmental impact and energy bills associated with the dweling.

The calculations underpinning an EPC require a standardised methodology for assessing energy and environmental performance of dwellings. This is where the Standard Assessment Procedure or SAP comes in. In addition to EPCs, the SAP is used for a number of policy initiatives including the Green Deal and to ensure compliance with building regulations.

Domestic Power Struggles – how we use electricity in the home

"Knowledge is Power." - Francis Bacon









Want to save money on your electricity bills and reduce your CO₂ emissions? Then you may want to consider living with others, ditching the dishwasher and tumble dryer and being wary of those ubiquitous standby modes, according to a groundbreaking study carried out by the Energy Saving Trust, DEFRA and DECC.

The first comprehensive research of its kind into domestic electricity consumption in English households has shed some fascinating light on the habits of the nation. The in-depth study monitored non-heating electricity usage in 251 households over periods of between one month and one year to investigate consumer habits in single- and multiple-occupancy households.