"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.
