The Home Energy Model, slated to supersede SAP, is a novel government calculation methodology tailored for evaluating homes' energy performance nationwide. Its significance lies in its pivotal role in shaping and executing various governmental housing and climate policies.
Though still in the developmental phase, the Home Energy Model's initial iteration is scheduled for deployment alongside the Future Homes Standard in 2025. Subsequently, it will expand to encompass the production of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
The deadline for the related consultations has been extended to March 27, 2024, due to an issue with the consultation version of the Home Energy Model.
The current SAP methodology, instrumental in estimating homes' energy performance, serves two primary purposes: ensuring new homes comply with Part L of the Building Regulations and generating Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for all residences.
Originally devised by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), SAP has evolved through multiple iterations, with the latest version, SAP 10.2, unveiled in June 2022.
The Home Energy Model project seeks to modernise the energy assessment industry, aligning the methodology with contemporary political and technological landscapes in the UK. This endeavour aims to create a more robust, accurate, and adaptable framework, crucial for advancing the UK's journey towards achieving net-zero emissions.
In contrast to SAP's simplicity, the Home Energy Model project endeavours to overhaul the methodology comprehensively, incorporating features like increased time resolution, adherence to international standards, modular architecture, and modelling of energy flexibility and smart technologies.
Furthermore, the project encompasses updates to the associated ecosystem, including an open-source methodology, revisions to software delivery, a revamped database of product characteristics, recognition of new technologies, and the use of "wrappers" to distinguish different use cases.
The anticipated benefits of this revamped structure include enhanced flexibility, clarity, and accountability, alongside the ability to employ diverse standardised assumptions tailored to specific policy requirements.
Post-consultation, the government will contemplate reforms concerning the model's recognition of new technologies, product-specific performance data, and software provision to energy assessors.
The overarching goal of the Home Energy Model initiative is to significantly enhance the calculation methodology for energy performance assessments, ensuring their robustness and suitability for future needs.
Rather than a mere replacement, it should be perceived as an augmentation facilitating the transition to a net-zero future.
As yet, we do not know what this change will mean for existing EPCs but it is hoped they will not need to be updated until they expire, but this is yet to be confirmed
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