What is The Difference Between an SAP & EPC?

Every building, whether domestic or non-domestic, consumes energy for various purposes, such as heating and cooling. As part of the natural process, it also produces carbon dioxide emissions.

For efficient energy consumption, the Building Regulations Department in the UK has introduced various parameters to ascertain the energy performance of residential buildings. In this context, we often come across the terms EPC and SAP. EPC stands for "Energy Performance Certificate," whereas SAP is the abbreviation of "Standard Assessment Procedure." Both these terms are often confused with each other. However, these are interrelated with each other but are two different things.

What is EPC?

Energy Performance Certificate, commonly known as EPC, is a document that carries an assessment of the energy efficiency of a dwelling.

The EPCs have information about energy usage and its potential cost in a particular property, whether used for domestic or commercial purposes. It also recommends how that building can reduce costs by adopting energy-saving measures. It also details possible carbon dioxide emissions using heating and cooling systems in that property.

EPC categorizes the property by giving an energy efficiency rating. These ratings are from A to G. A stands for the most efficient and is assigned a green color, whereas G indicates that the property is least efficient and is marked red. While ratings A and B are considered ideal, the buildings rated C are acceptable. A property's energy efficiency must have a minimum E rating if you want to rent out or sell that property. Any rating below E means your property is not energy efficient and needs improvement.

Exemptions

As per law, the following types of properties are not required to get an EPC

• A property intended to be used for not more than two years.
• Buildings used for religious activities or worship.
• Any building used for a non-residential purpose and does not use energy in bulk may be an industrial unit or any workshop.
• A building having less than 50 square meters of floor space.
• Any building used for residential purposes for less than four months in a calendar year.
• Any building that is not currently used and planned to be demolished.

Validity of EPC

The energy performance certificate is valid for 10 years.

What is SAP?

Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is a methodology formulated by the government that indicates how energy efficient a property is. It reflects that the dwelling complies with the energy and carbon emission standards defined in prevailing building regulations. It is an assessment of a property's energy performance and environmental impact. This SAP calculation is then incorporated into the EPC to rate the building from A to G, as explained above.

SAP Scores Used in EPCs

The EPC rating is determined by the SAP score that a building gets after assessing energy efficiency. The ratings given in EPC, from A to G, reflect the points obtained by the building due to the assessment conducted on the building. The ratings corresponding to the SAP Scores are under:

• If a building obtains an SAP score from 92 to 100, the corresponding EPC rating will be A.
• SAP Score 81 to 91 – EPC rating B.
• SAP Score 69 to 80 – EPC rating C.
• SAP Score 55 to 68 – EPC rating D.
• SAP Score 39 to 54 – EPC rating E.
• SAP Score 21 to 38 – EPC rating F.
• SAP Score 1 to 20 – EPC rating G.

What Do The SAP Scores Reflect?

The SAP points reflect the energy efficiency of the building. Hence the higher the score, the more energy-efficient the property is.

• If a building gets 100 SAP points, it reflects that the energy cost for that property is Zero.
• If a building gets a SAP score of more than 100, it is in a position to export the excessive energy it generates. It may be due to the utilization of Solar Energy, for example.
• Any score above 69 is considered acceptable energy efficiency.
• Anything below 55 is not acceptable; hence the building needs to improve its energy efficiency
• As per law, if a building gets an SAP score below 55, it cannot be rented out.

Factors Affecting The SAP Score

Assessment of the energy performance of a property includes various parameters that show how the building is using the energy and how much of it is being lost or leaked in the process. Every assessment area gets certain points, which go towards the overall rating in EPC.

Following are the important factors that have an impact on the SAP Scores.

• Materials used in the building construction.
• Performance and efficiency of Cooling and Heating systems installed in the building.
• How much natural energy, Direct Sunlight, is utilized in the building?
• Effectiveness of insulation material used.
• What fuel is used for heating water and living areas?
• How efficient is the ventilation in the building?
• Whether there’s any air leakage.
• The volume of emissions.

How to Improve SAP Score?

If you want to improve your building’s SAP score, you may need to consider the following.

• The SAP process should be initiated early, preferably at the design and drawing stages.
• Consider the usage of energy-saving devices.
• Consider improvements in the building fabric.
• Use double glazing on windows to improve their performance in the building's conservation of heating and cooling.
• Avoid air leakage. Block the leakage points and make your building airtight.
• Consider replacing the old boiler with new versions that are energy efficient.
• Renewable energy sources is yet another important factor that can improve the SAP score of your building.
• Floor insulation can also be considered for the improvement of the SAP score.

Who is Authorized to Conduct The SAP Survey?

SAP assessment is quite a technical job involving various critical and analytical calculations. Hence it should only be conducted by an SAP accredited assessor.

Since the SAP score will ultimately go into the EPC, a legal requirement for domestic properties, it must be done carefully and perfectly. Hence, it should only be done by a qualified and experienced person who must be an SAP-accredited assessor.

Why Do You Need an SAP Calculation?

• It is a legal requirement for passing the building regulations in case of new construction.
• It is also required as evidence that the property complies with the energy efficiency and carbon emission standards set in the Building Regulations.
• You cannot sell or rent out your domestic property if you don't have it done.
• In case of an extension in the existing floor area of more than 25%, you will have to get SAP calculations re-done.

What is The Difference Between SAP and EPC?

SAP and EPC are different, contrary to the common perception of both being the same. However, these are interrelated in that the rating given in the EPC depends on the SAP Scores. Hence, SAP assessment is a prerequisite for the EPC.

First, you need to get the property assessed by an accredited assessor. The points obtained under this assessment will then be incorporated into the EPC. EPC is a legal requirement under the Building Regulations. Therefore, SAP assessment is also a legal requirement.

Conclusion

Energy is the basic requirement of every dwelling, mostly to cool or heat the building. The energy efficiency of a building is a point of concern for the authorities, which has resulted in various rules and regulations in the UK. Hence every domestic and non-domestic property is legally required to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate. It shows how efficiently energy resources are used in that building and how much carbon emission is.

The EPC rates the building based on the SAP Calculations, commonly known as SAP points or SAP Score. Hence both SAP and EPC are two different assessments and should not be confused with each other, though they are inter-related. SAP is the calculation of the energy performance of a building, whereas the EPC reflects rates of the building based on points scored by the building in the SAP survey.