Exploring the impact of SAP version 10 on the UK construction industry

Abstract

On 27th of July 2018 the BEIS (Business Energy And Industrial Strategy) and BRE (Building Research Establishment) published SAP version 10; the eagerly awaited update to the current SAP2012, the Standard Assessment Procedure, otherwise known as SAP, is the industry standard calculation methodology used to demonstrate the energy performance of dwellings in the UK and is a key part of building regulations compliance. The limitations of the current calculation methodology have been a talking point in recent years, resulting in much anticipation for a more comprehensive building regulations compliance methodology for dwellings. One of the most significant changes between SAP10 and SAP2012 is the alignment of carbon factors with reality. Current SAP assumes that the electricity used, produces 2.4 times the carbon emissions of mains gas. SAP10 introduces a 55% reduction in the CO2emissions factor for electricity, meaning dwellings heated by direct electric systems will essentially produce the same CO2emissions as gas. The acknowledgement of 'greener electricity' is just one of the key changes with the proposed new SAP10. There is no doubt that this updated calculation methodology will challenge the current preferred environmental strategies for compliance for new dwellings in the UK. This paper explores the impact of SAP version 10 on the UK construction industry and intends to highlight the key differences between SAP 10 and SAP2012, focusing on the major changes that will potentially affect the way that we design our dwellings going forward.