How Long are SAP & EPC Certificates Valid For?

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) are two different documents but are interrelated. SAP is a methodology for calculating energy usage and compliance with building regulations. In contrast, EPC is a document that reflects that property's energy efficiency level.

The rating given to the property in an EPC is based on the SAP calculations and the points scored by the property. The SAP score ranges between 1 and 100. Accordingly, the building gets a rating from A to G, with A being the best and G being the worst category. A score of 100 means that the property's energy cost is zero. Sometimes a property may get a 100+ score in an SAP assessment. It reflects that the property can export energy, such as the buildings having solar energy resources.

Types of SAP Calculations

We often come across two different terms when it comes to SAP Calculations. These are SAP and RdSAP.

• SAP Calculations – This is an official method of calculating the energy performance of new buildings and assessing their energy ratings for energy performance certificates. This has been in practice since 1995 and is compulsory for new dwellings used for residential purposes under Part L of the Building Regulations. SAP calculations include DER (Dwelling Emission Rate) and DFEE (Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency) compared to the pre-determined TER and TFEE, which stands for Target Emission Rate and Target Fabric Energy Efficiency, respectively. The score so obtained is then reflected in the EPC in the form of points ranging from 1 to 100+
• RdSAP Calculations – RdSAP stands for “Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure.” It has been in practice since 2005. This type of SAP calculation is used to assess the energy performance and efficiency ratings of existing domestic properties. The calculation parameters are the same as those used for SAP calculations for new dwellings. The RdSAP is required for existing residential properties if the EPC has expired or if the SAP calculations, carried out at the time of the new build, were either not done or are unavailable. However, per the existing law, all the newly built properties must have the SAP calculations done if they were built after the cutoff date, which is the 6th of April 2008 for England and Wales.

Difference Between SAP and RdSAP Calculations

Although the basic parameters of calculations are almost the same for both SAP and RdSAP methods, they are quite different in their purpose and utility.

• As per law, SAP calculations are required for new residential dwellings, whereas the RdSAP method is used for existing dwellings. New residential dwellings include new constructions, extensions, and changes in the use of existing dwellings. Change in use of existing dwellings may be an instance where one house is converted into a couple of flats. However, the main purpose of both SAP and RdSAP methods of calculations is to determine the EPC rating of new or existing dwellings
• RdSAP calculations are also required for an existing residential building if the EPC of that particular property has expired.
• SAP calculations are done to calculate the Carbon Emissions and Energy Efficiency of a new residential building, proving that this property is compliant with the building regulations and can be sold or rented out. The RdSAP is done on the existing properties for compliance with Building Regulations to record the energy performance and its improvements, if any.
• RdSAP for existing residential buildings is also relevant where the property does not have a valid EPC and the owner wants to sell or rent it.
• SAP calculations are first done when the new construction is in the design phase. Another SAP calculation is carried out subsequently once the building is complete. RdSAP calculation is done for the existing properties built before April 2008, the inception of Building Regulations in England and Wales. This is because buildings constructed after that date are supposed to already have the SAP calculations under the provisions of Building Regulations.
• SAP calculations can only be conducted by the qualified assessors known as "On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors” (OCDEA), whereas RdSAP can be done by any “Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA).

Two Types of EPCs

EPC, the Energy Performance Certificates, are of two types regarding the type of SAP calculations applied to obtain data for the EPC rating of a property.

1. Standard EPC – When the data collected for calculating the EPC rating of a residential dwelling is based on the RdSAP, the resultant EPC is termed a Standard Energy Performance Certificate.
2. SAP EPC – The method of SAP Calculations is used to determine the EPC rating for the newly built domestic properties. In this case, the EPC is called the "SAP EPC". It is also known as Full SAP.

So, the SAP EPC will be required for new construction extensions or changes in use of the properties. In contrast, the standard EPC applies to the existing residential buildings when they need to rent out or sell it or when the existing EPC has expired.

Importance of SAP EPCs

1. SAP EPC contains the most relevant information on energy usage. This information can be used to keep the energy consumption at the lowest possible limit, which helps reduce energy usage and cost.
2. It also reflects the very sensitive information on carbon emissions.
3. The property is rated from A to G in the EPC based on the SAP calculations. Any property getting a better rating will have good prospects for better market acceptability.
4. The SAP EPC is also helpful for the owners to comply with environmental control. 

Validity of SAP and EPC

Under the prevailing law, an EPC is valid for 10 years from the date of issuance. Similarly, the SAP EPC is also valid for 10 years. Hence the SAP calculations also remain valid for the same period. Since the EPC is based on the information provided in the SAP Calculations, you will require fresh calculations each time you need to get a new EPC or renew the current EPC, whatever the case may be.

Penalties for Failure to Get EPC

Since the EPC and SAP are legal requirements, failure to produce these documents will attract penalties. Moreover, the property cannot be put on the market for sale or renting purposes if you don't have a valid EPC.

Failure to produce an EPC for the domestic properties is a fine of 200 Pounds. In contrast, the non-domestic properties are fined 12.5% of the property's rate able value, with a minimum of 500 Pounds and a maximum of 5000 Pounds.

Conclusion

Energy consumption and its impact on the environment are the major concerns for the authorities worldwide, including the UK. Hence the Government introduced Building Regulations and Environment Regulations to regulate the energy efficiency of domestic dwellings.

Under these regulations, every domestic and non-domestic dwelling property is legally required to conduct the Energy Efficiency assessment and get an EPC or SAP EPC. The energy efficiency is calculated using the official methodology of the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). The properties are rated based on these calculations that are reflected in the EPC. Per the existing law, a property cannot be sold or rented out without a valid EPC.

Hence the owners of the domestic dwellings need to get the SAP assessment done to get a valid EPC. And remember, the EPC and SAP are valid for 10 years from the date of issuance.