The UK government has unveiled plans for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s home energy rating system, initiating a public consultation to replace the longstanding Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating. This radical change aims to revolutionize how energy efficiency is evaluated in homes across the nation.
SAP, the current government-endorsed method for assessing and comparing energy performance in homes, has been a cornerstone in ensuring energy efficiency compliance in building regulations. However, it has faced mounting controversy, particularly surrounding its role in generating Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
In a bold move, the proposed replacement, named the Home Energy Model, is positioned by some experts as better aligned with the technologies required to decarbonize the UK’s housing stock, a critical step in achieving net zero emissions.
Developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the Home Energy Model precedes the implementation of the Future Homes Standard, set to apply to new homes constructed from 2025. This innovative model aims to establish new benchmarks for housing standards, ensuring future homes are not only energy-efficient but also ‘zero carbon ready’ with cutting-edge low carbon heating and heightened energy efficiency measures.
The government’s intention to integrate the Home Energy Model into the assessment process for Energy Performance Certificates signals a transformative shift in evaluating and addressing the energy efficiency of homes in the long term.
According to statements from BRE, the Home Energy Model is meticulously crafted to accommodate green technologies like heat pumps, storage solutions, and smart control devices. Its modular design enables versatile applications for various energy performance assessments, offering a higher time resolution by modelling energy usage for every half-hour throughout the year. This feature facilitates a more accurate representation of smart technologies and energy storage mechanisms.
In a bid to enhance transparency and foster wider industry participation, the consultation proposes releasing the Home Energy Model as an open-source tool. This move is expected to streamline its application across industries and encourage modification of the methodology for diverse uses.
Gillian Charlesworth, CEO of BRE, emphasized the significance of this transition, stating, “The introduction of the Home Energy Model is a significant milestone on the road to achieving net zero across the UK’s housing stock.” She highlighted the importance of an assessment methodology that can adapt to the evolving landscape of green technologies and urged stakeholders across industries to actively engage in the consultation process.
The consultation period, commencing this week, extends until March 6, 2024. This initiative invites input from various stakeholders to shape the final design of the Home Energy Model, pivotal in driving sustainable and energy-efficient homes in the UK.
This proposed overhaul stands as a pivotal moment, signalling a concerted effort by the government and industry leaders to align housing standards with the ambitious net zero agenda and usher in a new era of energy-efficient homes across the UK.