SBEM Calculations made Easier

SBEM Calculations are a method of showing compliance with Part L2: Conservation of Fuel & Power, of Building Regulations for non-dwellings otherwise known as commercial property. SBEM calculations look to evaluate that the ‘actual’ building concerned performs better, in terms of efficiency, than a ‘notional’ building which conforms to the current standards set by Legislation. The notional building is the same size and orientation as the actual building and the activities performed within each individual zone are also identical, the only things that do differ are the percentage glazing used within the calculations and the M&E services such as heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water generation and lighting.

Within the SBEM Calculation the notional building will present a Target Emission Rate (TER) in KgCO2/m² per annum and as this suggests this is a target that the actual building must not be greater than in order to demonstrate compliance with Part L2 of UK Building Regulations. The actual building will present a Building Emission Rate (BER), if BER ≤ TER then the building concerned complies with the regulations and the SBEM Calculation is successful.

There are a couple of other hoops that must be jumped through in order to gratify Building Regulations such as limiting u-value standards W/m².K for all external elements, efficiency of heat sources, power consumed through mechanical ventilation, lighting and air tightness of the building. The SBEM Calculation report will demonstrate whether these factors have been met.

Producing a building which merely complies to minimum standards will almost certainly not be enough to give a successful result of any SBEM Calculation, Building Regulations   have sought to vastly improve energy performance of new buildings in the UK and minimum standards must be largely improved upon in order to achieve a favourable outcome. Whether it is improved u-values, air tightness or lighting efficiencies which are implemented, a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul is often the case which we at L2 Energy see on a daily basis.

On many occasions properties will not pass an SBEM Calculation without the introduction of renewable energy such as Photo-voltaics, Air or Ground Source Heat Pumps, Solar Thermal or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant, all of these can be modelled into the SBEM calculation tool to identify the most suitable solution for a given site and client.

To achieve success in executing an SBEM Calculation it is prudent to make the building as thermally efficient as economically possible in the first instance, this will provide an excellent starting point. Ensure that the building has excellent air tightness of around 5 m³/hr.m² at 50pa or less. Following this, efficiency of m&e installations is key. The most thermally efficient building is only as good as the efficiency of the systems within so ensure that the lighting loads are optisimised with technologically advanced switching applied and heating and cooling efficiencies are maximised within budgetary constraints.

L2 Energy Consulting have a huge wealth of experience in achieving compliance for a whole manner of differing building types from schools, hospitals and leisure to 10 storey office blocks, flagship industrial facilities and large hotel developments. Whatever the scheme, we will find a solution.

Visit www.l2energy.co.uk/sbem-calculations.html for further information on SBEM Calculations and obtain a competitive quotation.

Energy Statements Explained

Energy statements for planning are becoming much more of a requirement when filing a planning application for a suggested new development to a Local Authority for approval. Each individual Local Authority will have their own twist on what is required before the application will granted and the development can begin.

So what is an Energy Statement?

An Energy Statement is a document which demonstrates to the planning authorities that a proposed development is conscious of the environmental impact, in terms of carbon dioxide emissions, that the new building or buildings will produce and the proposed measures which are to be taken to decrease co2 emissions from new development.

Many authorities will put their own stamp on what their requirements are. This will almost certainly include the use of on-site renewable energy sources and from which between 10-20% of carbon dioxide emissions will have to be lowered by their use; the percentage requirement will come down to individual  authorities. The Energy Statement should talk about the types of Renewable Energy options available and their appropriateness for inclusion within the new development and thereafter an assessment of the carbon savings anticipated via the chosen technology or technologies to be included.

Reducing Carbon emissions is not all about the inclusion of renewable technologies though and many local authorities recognise this and require a more rounded approach to be taken. This is often demonstrated by the use of a so called ‘Energy Hierarchy’ approach.

Stage 1 of the ‘Energy Hierarchy’ is Improvements to building fabric; this looks to go beyond UK Building Regulations for thermal efficiency of fabric or U-values as they are technical known. The minimum U-value of an External Wall in the UK under 2010 Regulations for commercial property is 0.35 W/m².K, for Ground Floors and Roofs the minimum standard is 0.25 W/m².K and for Windows and Doors the minimum standard is 2.2 W/m².K. With more advanced building products coming to the market place every month these minimum standards can be greatly improved upon and it is not uncommon for an External Wall U-value to be as low as 0.18 or better, Floor and Roof down to 0.14 and Windows and Doors down to 0.9 W/m².K, the lower the U-value the more thermally efficient the element is. Improvements to Air Permeability can also play a part in the equation, Building Regulations require a minimum Air Permeability of 10 m³/hr.m² for a new commercial building greater than 500m², with buildings being capable of achieving air tightness of below 3 m³/hr.m² when built to high standards, this can reap considerable rewards. In summary by improving the thermal efficiency and air tightness of a building, huge reductions in carbon emissions can made.

Stage 2 of the ‘Energy Hierarchy’ considers the efficiency of the Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) Installations that are to go into the property, by maximising the plant efficiency such as boilers, air conditioning, hot water storage, mechanical ventilation and lighting, obviously this will have a huge impact on carbon emissions of any proposed building, whilst minimum standards have to be met to achieve Building Regulation compliance stage 2 of the ‘Energy Hierarchy’ seeks to go well beyond minimum standards to further reduce co2 emissions.

And finally Stage 3 of the ‘Energy Hierarchy’ Renewable Energy, following improvements to the fabric thermal efficiency and then to the efficiency of the M&E installations the planning authority will seek further reductions in co2 emissions through the use of renewable energy sources. Renewable Energy Sources investigated for their feasibility into a scheme usually include Photovoltaic’s (solar panels), Solar Thermal (solar hot water installations), ground source heat pumps, wind turbines and Combined Heat & Power (CHP) installations. Each of these may have their place in a scheme but may also be ruled out due to site constraints such as overshadowing from adjacent buildings or trees, limited clear wind path again due to adjacent buildings or trees, or feasibility may be discarded due to good old fashion cost restraints.

Whatever the requirements are of the individual UK Planning Authorities; L2 Energy Consulting will have come across them before and will have the necessary expertise to provide the calculations and advise required to satisfy their needs to a successful outcome. For further information regarding our service in this area please visit www.l2energy.co.uk/energy-statements.html We will be happy to share our expertise with you.

SBEM and EPCs completed in Weymouth

SBEM Calculations and Energy Performance Certificates have now been completed in order to claim Feed-in-Tarrifs on a 100 KWp Photovoltaic Installation at Link Park, Weymouth.

Energy Statements for Planning

Energy Statements are often required by local authorities to demonstrate a development will meet an imposed obligation to obtain a percentage reduction of carbon emissions against current regulations. Depending on the authority concerned Energy Statements may require to show a 10% reduction by the use of renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal, wind or CHP (Combined Heat & Power) or they may require a 20% improvement on Building Regulations through the use of a so called Energy Hierarchy.

Each authority will have its own requirements of how to demonstrate compliance with their strict guidelines for meeting the 10-20% improvement required before planning consent will be given. L2 Energy Consulting have the experience to provide Energy Statements for any local authority requiring such a report and in the unlikely event that we have not provided Energy Statements for a particular authority in the past we have the experience to unravel their requirements to provide compliant Energy Statements.

If you would like a quote please give us a call on the number above or click on this link, provide us with a few details of the project and we’ll get back you as quickly as possible.

http://www.l2energy.co.uk/energy-statements.html

MEPs move to stop increase in VAT on energy-saving products | Magazine News | Building

MEPs move to stop increase in VAT on energy-saving products | Magazine News | Building

Britain's Isle of Wight Aims to Lead Island Green Energy Movement with Ecoisland Partnership

Britain's Isle of Wight Aims to Lead Island Green Energy Movement with Ecoisland Partnership

Part L; Pre-Contract Reporting (SBEM)

Download this as a pdf here

SBEM Calculations, Poole, Dorset

We have successfully completed SBEM Calculations and EPCs on Phase 1 of a new Industrial Park in Brixey Road, Poole. 12 out of a total 24 were completed early last month, with Phase 2 already underway due to the early demand for the units.

For further information of our services please call 01202 485235 or visit our website by clicking our logo above.

Energy Statements for Planning Applications

L2 Energy Consulting now provide Energy Statements as a result of many local authorities across the country requiring  a submission as part of the planning application. An Energy Statement provides the planning authorities with a detailed account of how a residential or commercial scheme meets the specifics of their requirements to include renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions by as much as 20%.

For a quote to provide an Energy Statement as part of your planning submission visit http://www.l2energy.co.uk/ and fill in our simple proforma or drop us an email on enquiries@L2energy.co.uk

SBEM Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire & Berkshire

SBEM Calculations are a method of showing compliance with Part L: Conservation of Fuel & Power, of Building Regulations for non-dwellings otherwise known as commercial property. The calculations seek to demonstrate that the actual building concerned performs better, in terms of energy efficiency, than a notional building which conforms to the current standards set by Building Regulations. The notional building is the same shape and orientation as the actual building and the activities performed within each individual zone are also identical, the only things that do differ are the percentage glazing used within the calculations and the mechanical and electrical installations such as heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water generation and lighting.

The notional building will produce a Target Emission Rate (TER) in KgCO2/m² per annum and as this suggests this is a target which the actual building must not exceed in order to demonstrate compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. The actual building will produce a Building Emission Rate (BER), if BER ≤ TER then the building concerned complies with regulations.

There are a couple of other hoops that must be jumped through in order to satisfy Building Regulations such as limiting u-value standards W/m².K for all external elements, efficiency of heat sources, power consumed through mechanical ventilation,  lighting and air tightness of the building.

Producing a building which merely complies to minimum standards will almost certainly not be enough to give a successful outcome of any SBEM Calculation, Building Regulations 2010 have sought to vastly improve energy performance of new buildings and minimum standards must be largely improved upon in order to achieve a positive outcome. Whether it is improved u-values, air tightness or lighting efficiencies which are implemented, a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul is often the situation which we at L2 Energy see on a daily basis.

On many occasions these days buildings will not pass without the introduction of renewable energy such as Photo-voltaics, Air or Ground Source Heat Pumps, Solar Thermal or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant, all of these can be modelled into the calculation tool to identify the most appropriate solution for a given site and client.

L2 Energy Consulting have an enormous wealth of experience in achieving compliance for a whole manner of differing building types from schools, hospitals and clubhouses to 10 storey office blocks, flagship industrial facilities and large hotel developments, whatever the scheme we will find a solution.

SBEM on IOW, Hampshire

L2 Energy have recently completed the As Designed SBEM Calculations for the new Sea Cadets facility on the Isle of Wight in Hampshire. The 700 m² facility over two floors will include a new boat store and workshop, several training rooms and a large open hall area at first floor level. The new unit is likely to be completed later this year and is looking at achieving an A rating for Energy Performance.

For further information regarding all of our services please visit http://www.l2energy.co.uk/ or call 01202 485235 for a chat.

SBEM Calculations in Dorset

L2 Energy Consulting complete SBEM Calculations and EPCs on four high end office units at Queen Mother Square in Poundbury, Dorset on behalf of the Dutchy of Cornwall. As these offices are connected to the on-site bio-gas supply they all achieve A ratings under the Energy Performance Certificate scheme.

For further details of all L2 Energy Consulting services please visit our website at http://www.l2energy.co.uk/

SBEM Explained

SBEM Calculations are a method of showing compliance with Part L: Conservation of Fuel & Power, of Building Regulations for non-dwellings otherwise known as commercial property. The calculations seek to demonstrate that the actual building concerned performs better, in terms of energy efficiency, than a notional building which conforms to the current standards set by Building Regulations. The notional building is the same shape and orientation as the actual building and the activities performed within each individual zone are also identical, the only things that do differ are the percentage glazing used within the calculations and the mechanical and electrical installations such as heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water generation and lighting.

The notional building will produce a Target Emission Rate (TER) in KgCO2/m² per annum and as this suggests this is a target which the actual building must not exceed in order to demonstrate compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations. The actual building will produce a Building Emission Rate (BER), if BER ≤ TER then the building concerned complies with regulations.

There are a couple of other hoops that must be jumped through in order to satisfy Building Regulations such as limiting u-value standards W/m².K for all external elements, efficiency of heat sources, power consumed through mechanical ventilation,  lighting and air tightness of the building.

Producing a building which merely complies to minimum standards will almost certainly not be enough to give a successful outcome of any SBEM Calculation, Building Regulations 2010 have sought to vastly improve energy performance of new buildings and minimum standards must be largely improved upon in order to achieve a positive outcome. Whether it is improved u-values, air tightness or lighting efficiencies which are implemented, a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul is often the situation which we at L2 Energy see on a daily basis.

On many occasions these days buildings will not pass without the introduction of renewable energy such as Photo-voltaics, Air or Ground Source Heat Pumps, Solar Thermal or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant, all of these can be modelled into the calculation tool to identify the most appropriate solution for a given site and client.

L2 Energy Consulting have an enormous wealth of experience in achieving compliance for a whole manner of differing building types from schools, hospitals and clubhouses to 10 storey office blocks, flagship industrial facilities and large hotel developments, whatever the scheme we will find a solution.

Visit http://www.l2energy.co.uk/ for a full list of our services or email enquiries@L2energy.co.uk with any queries you may have. L2 Energy Consulting are here to help.

SBEM completed on 10 Storey London Office Block

L2 Energy recently completed SBEM Calculations to meet Part L Building Regulations Compliance for CO2 Emissions on a 10 Storey London Office Block. This complex building was an initial challenge but with the use of one of the most sophisticated energy modelling packages we overcame the complex design to demonstrate compliance and achieve much needed Breeam credits.

Another SBEM Completed for new South Coast Gym

L2 Energy have successfully completed the initial SBEM Calculations for a proposed new gym in Lymington, Hampshire. We advised the client of the necessary U-values needed and on suitably energy efficient mechanical and electrical installations in order to achieve Building Regulation Compliance.

If you need guidance on a similar project or in fact on any commercial enterprise please do get in contact by using the following email in the first instance. enquiries@L2energy.co.uk or visit our website at www.L2energy.co.uk

SBEM for 34 Unit Industrial Estate in Poole

L2 Energy Consulting have successfully completed 'As Designed' SBEM Calculations for a new 34 Unit Industrial Estate in Poole, Dorset.