Welcome to E.R.S
(Energy Rating Services)

As you will be aware, from April 2006 all new dwellings, extensions, conversions to or from flats and renovations in England & Wales are required to submit the SAP energy rating showing compliance with Parts L1A & L1B of the new Building Regulations (2006) with regard to their energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions.

The motive for this change is the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2). Part L1A, which covers domestic new build, has the intention of reducing CO2 emissions by 20 per cent over the current building standard. This is an ambitious target but is achievable.

People are usually asking what is the
NHER / SAP rating?

NHER, the National Energy Home Rating, is the UK's largest energy rating scheme, and rates the average energy consumption of residential dwellings on a scale of 1.00 to 20.00 - from poor to excellent, with 20 corresponding to zero total running costs.

The NHER rating takes into account the local environment and the effect it has on the building's energy rating. The methodology evaluates the energy usage and costs of space heating, water heating, cooking, lights and appliances

The NHER can only be calculated using computer software as supplied by National Energy Services (NES). NHER is not required by Building Control.

SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) is the UK official assessment procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings, and is based on a scale of 1 to 100 - from poor to excellent.

The SAP energy cost rating is a simplified version of the NHER model and is based on energy costs for space and water heating only. SAP is a measure of the relative fuel cost of a property. It is thus less accurate than a NHER rating.

Previous compliance with SAP 2001 was demonstrated through one of the 3 recognised methods by the Building Regulations 2002, Elemental, Target U-value, and Carbon Index methods.

Since April 2006, SAP 2005 is used for Part L1A 2006 compliance to calculate whether the annual CO2 emissions rate of the dwelling (DER) does not exceed the target set by reference to a notional building (TER). The Elemental, Target U-value and Carbon Index methods will not be applicable anymore.

Energy efficiency is becoming more and more part of people's consciousness. "Everyone wants to be green". The requirement of the Part L1A of the Building Regulations (2005) includes an assessment of the carbon dioxide emissions at early stage in the home's design. This can only be undertaken using the SAP 2005 procedure. Having an energy rating assessment for the design of new homes at an early stage may encourage a developer to incorporate more energy efficiency into the design, especially now that a prospective buyer will be informed of the final energy rating, which may help inform their decision to purchase the property.

Building control bodies are able to accept calculations from NHER Authorised SAP Assessors without the need for further checks.