SAP calculations for extensions & conversions
Whether you’re planning to extend your home, convert your space, or integrate extensive glazing, our tailored SAP assessments provide the information you need to be legally compliant with UK Building Regulations, energy efficient and sustainable. We specialise in meeting the requirements for Part O, Part L and Part G of the United Kingdom Building Regulations and provide SAP Calculations in accordance with Part L1A (new builds) and Part L1B (extensions and conversions).
Let our highly skilled energy specialists help you optimise your project’s energy performance, ensuring cost-effectiveness from design to as-built completion.
- Qualified and accredited SAP assessors
- Competitive pricing
- Reliable service and quick results
- Easy booking process
- Nationwide service
- Free, no-obligation quotes
Call Falcon Energy on 01403 253439 to arrange SAP calculations for extensions and conversions and excess glazing calculations at a time that works for you.
Our SAPs for extensions and conversions services
SAP, or Standard Assessment Procedure, is the UK government’s recommended method for measuring the energy rating of residential dwellings. Our SAPs for extensions and conversions are tailored to ensure your projects meet energy efficiency standards and comply with Part L1B building regulations ensuring that controlled fittings, services and building materials meet efficiency targets and the building meets carbon targets.
With many years of experience and fully qualified and accredited assessors, our services include:
- Comprehensive SAP calculations: We perform detailed SAP calculations to evaluate the energy performance of your extension or conversion and ensure it meets Part L1B of the Building Regulations.
- Advice and consultation: Our experienced team provides personalised advice to improve energy efficiency, helping you achieve a balance between functionality and sustainability.
- U-value calculations: We calculate exact U-values for various building components to determine their insulation performance and suggest improvements.
- Thermal performance assessment: Our team assesses the thermal performance of building elements like walls, roofs, and floors to optimise energy performance.
- Regulatory compliance: We ensure your project adheres to all relevant building regulations, helping you avoid compliance issues.
- Renewable energy integration: We assess the potential for incorporating renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels, to enhance the sustainability of your project.
When planning an extension or conversion at your property, hiring a qualified assessor to accurately complete your SAP calculation and provide improvement solutions as required is essential. Once we have completed your SAP calculation, our professionals will prepare your report and explain the findings in detail for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) on completion.
If your building work does not meet minimum requirements, we can help you improve your plan so that it is ready to pass a SAP assessment. We can also offer advice on innovative renewable technologies that will make your building more eco-friendly and sustainable.
Let our expert team help you navigate the complexities of energy regulations and enhance the energy performance of your extensions and conversions. We’re also proud to offer SAP calculations for new builds as part of the L1A building regulations.
Book calculations with Falcon Energy
We have years of experience providing excess glazing and SAP calculations for extensions, conversions and new builds at Falcon Energy and are fully trained and accredited. We also pride ourselves on outstanding customer service and accurate, speedy results.
We know that time is often of the essence in extension or conversion cases, and we are keen to keep your project on time and budget. We’ll work hard to complete the assessments as quickly as possible without compromising quality while achieving compliance.
Based in Horsham, West Sussex, we provide SAP calculations for the whole of the UK. If you need a SAP calculation or excess glazing calculation, call 01403 253439.
Why SAP calculations for extensions and conversions are required
Extensions and conversions alter the design and plan of the existing structure, impacting its energy performance and CO2 emissions. Assessing the extension or conversion can offset this to keep your current rating. Specifically, all extensions with glazing equivalent to more than 25% of the total floor area will need to be tested.
If you plan on extending or converting your property, you must ensure that the new elements meet the required energy efficiency standards. A SAP assessment can help you achieve this by identifying areas where improvements can be made. They can also help you to comply with Building Regulations and obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Once the local planning authority permits development, most extensions comply with Building Regulations.
How do SAP calculations work?
These calculations consider various factors including insulation, heating systems, and ventilation, resulting in a numerical rating ranging from 1 to 100. A higher rating indicates a more energy-efficient property.
What is involved in the SAP calculations process?
Building Geometry
The first step is to gather information about the building’s geometry, including the floor area, volume, and dimensions of each space within the dwelling.
Fabric and Insulation
The next step is to collect data on the building fabric, such as the insulation levels of walls, floors, and roofs. This includes details about the type and thickness of insulation materials used.
Windows and Doors
Information about the windows and external doors is collected, including their dimensions, U-values (thermal transmittance), and solar heat gain properties.
If the building has double glazing, the U-values of the double-glazed units are considered. These values represent the heat loss through the windows. The lower the U-value, the better the thermal insulation the double glazing provides. Excess glazing calculation is a key method of calculating the thermal values of windows and doors .
The solar heat gain through the windows is also assessed. This involves considering the orientation of the windows, the shading provided by external elements, and the windows’ solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). SHGC represents the amount of solar radiation that passes through the window and contributes to heat gain inside the building.
Heating Systems
Details about the heating system(s) in the building are gathered. This includes the type of system (e.g., boiler, heat pump), fuel source, and efficiency ratings. Additionally, the controls and timers associated with the heating system are taken into account.
Ventilation
The ventilation method and system used in the dwelling are considered. This includes information about the ventilation rate, whether it’s provided naturally or mechanically, and any heat recovery systems in place.
Hot Water Systems
Data about the hot water system(s) is collected, such as the type of system (e.g., combi boiler, immersion heater), fuel source, and efficiency ratings.
Renewable Technologies
If there are any renewable energy technologies installed, such as solar panels or heat pumps, their details are included in the calculations.
Occupancy Patterns
Information about the occupancy patterns and usage of the building is considered, including the number of occupants, their behaviours, and any special requirements.
SAP Calculation
Based on the collected data, the SAP calculation software processes the information and generates an energy performance rating for the dwelling. This rating is represented as a numerical score known as the SAP rating and an energy efficiency band (A to G). A SAP calculation provides an overall assessment of the dwelling’s energy efficiency and environmental impact, taking into account factors such as heat loss, heat gain, energy usage, and carbon emissions.
How can Falcon energy help?
At Falcon Energy, not only do we have years of experience at providing Excess Glazing and SAP calculations but we also pride ourselves on outstanding customer service and fantastic, speedy results. We know that time is often of the essence in extension or conversion cases and are keen to keep your project on time and budget. We’ll work hard to complete the work as quickly as possible, without compromising quality, and are locally based in Horsham, West Sussex, meaning we could get to you sooner than you think. We work throughout Sussex, Surrey, Kent and London.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When a property changes, such as adding an extension or converting an existing building, it is necessary to seek approval from the local planning authority for planning permission based on Building Regulations. During the design stage of your project, SAP calculations must be conducted to support the application for approval from the Building Regulations.
The results of the SAP calculations, including the energy rating, help demonstrate that the proposed development meets the necessary energy performance standards. By conducting these calculations during the design stage, you can identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance the property’s energy efficiency and potentially reduce energy consumption.
It is worth noting that SAP calculations may also be required at various stages throughout the building process for compliance checks, such as during the submission of Building Regulations applications or for final assessments upon completion. However, the initial calculations during the design stage are crucial for informing and guiding the construction process. This allows building work to begin with Building Regulations approval from the local authority.
There’s a limit to the amount of glazing permitted for new extensions or conversions to a property. You’re restricted to 25% of glazing per floor area; if you exceed this limit, you must have proper and professional justification, as glazing and openings lose more heat than walls, making them less energy efficient.
With many extensions having far more glazing on elements to let in more light, sticking to the 25% limit can be difficult. Excess Glazing Calculations can prove your need for extra glazing and help keep your building project on track and within budget.
If it’s deemed that your new extension or conversion exceeds regulations in terms of glazing, the Building Control Officer will ask to see official excess glazing calculations that must demonstrate either:
- Area-weighted U-value method
- Full SAP calculation to include the existing property
The first option is typically suited for property renovations that only accrue a small amount of excess glazing, showing that the thermal elements could be improved elsewhere to compensate.
Should the total percentage of excess glazing be recorded as higher, a full SAP calculation is required to consider your existing property. Considering building materials and heating systems, this assesses your home’s overall energy performance. Depending on the results, the rest of your current property may be taken into account, and it may be suggested that upgrades elsewhere successfully offset any additional glazing needed for the new build.
In order for us to undertake excess glazing calculations accurately and efficiently, we need the following details from you:
- Construction drawings to scale
- Existing and proposed floor plans
- Existing and proposed elevations
- Any heating systems to be used
- Any renewable energy sources (such as solar panels)
- Existing and proposed sections
- Site location
We will use this information to compile the calculations and understand how your extension will impact your home’s efficiency.
There may be times when the whole property needs to be assessed alongside the extension, but typically only the floor, walls and roof of the extension itself will need to be assessed as part of extension and conversion SAP calculations.
An instance where the whole property would be assessed is where heat loss from the extension’s glazed areas cannot be offset by improvements made to the extension alone, for example, altering the thermal efficiency of the floor.
There are several ways to improve your SAP rating. These include enhancing insulation levels, using energy-efficient heating systems and controls, incorporating renewable technologies, improving air tightness, and selecting energy-efficient windows and doors.
While there is no specific requirement for a high SAP rating, Building Regulations set minimum energy performance standards that must be met. A higher SAP rating can demonstrate compliance with these standards and may have additional benefits, such as reduced energy costs and environmental impact.
SAP calculations can be updated after construction to reflect any changes made during the building process. Ensuring that the final calculations match the property’s as-built specifications is essential.
SAP calculations do not expire. However, it is recommended that they be kept up to date if any significant changes are made to the property that could impact its energy performance.
Call us now for a no obligation quote
Our team at Falcon Energy is here to help and would love to offer you a free, no-obligation quote for your SAPs and excess glazing calculation needs. Call us today on 01403 253439 or email info@falconenergy.co.uk. We’ll be happy to help.