Some Planning Authorities are already requiring compliance with Code levels 2 or 3 for all new housing in their areas, whilst code level 3 is mandatory for all social housing. Code levels are expected to rise progressively in the coming years in response to the governments declared intention of achieving zero carbon homes by 2016.

We can provide a 'Pre-Assessment Estimate' early in the design stage. This is a software tool that provides an estimation of the likely code level based on an empirical assessment of how the design addresses the nine environmental impact categories. It is a useful tool to give a preliminary indication of whether the design is likely to meet the required standard.

The design stage assessment is carried out following the registration of the site with BRE Global, in the period up to the issue of tender documents i.e. RIBA stages A-G. The design stage assessment includes the energy assessment required for Building Regulation purposes.

On completion of the work there is a Post Construction Stage assessment. The aim is to assess each completed dwelling to determine the final score and its code level. This will involve a site inspection and collating evidence from the developer usually in the form of receipts to satisfy categories such as water use and materials. Following this, the certificate may be issued.

We would be please to provide a quotation for Code Assessments without obligation.

Energy performance certificates (EPCs) are now required whenever a property is sold or rented out. It forms an essential part of the Home Information Pack (HIP) required before a property can be marketed. The process involves a site inspection to record the necessary information. We can provide competitive quotations for EPCs particularly where several properties are involved.

From the 6th April 2007 all new houses including houses formed by conversion from other uses require an energy performance certificate. Please note that this is not the same as the RD SAP needed when an existing property is sold. The design SAP is produced from information contained on plans of the proposed dwelling. From this information a predicted EPC can be produced which will enable the property to be marketed. On completion of the work, the property is usually required to have an air leakage test. The results of this test along with details of any other changes that may have occurred during construction are then used to produce the EPC and the Building Regulation Compliance Checklist, required by the Building Control Body before they issue a completion certificate.

We can calculate the DER (Dwelling Energy Rate) and TER (Target Energy Rate) and where changes are necessary, will discuss with you the various options for bringing the CO2 emissions below the target.

Where domestic extensions have large glazing areas we can calculate and compare the CO2 emissions from the building as designed with CO2 emissions from a notional building constructed to minimum standards. Using this procedure we can frequently justify designs that fall outside the normal Building Regulations requirements.

Problems can also arise meeting the minimum thermal requirements when converting historic building. It is often difficult to exploit the full architectural potential of an historic building, and still meet the minimum insulation standards. We can often suggest compensatory measures that would reduce CO2 emissions and allow a more flexible approach to the insulation of the external envelope.

Where CO2 emissions have to be reduced to comply with current Building Regulations or with the higher standards required by the Code for Sustainable Homes, low and zero carbon technologies are often used.� We can calculate the CO2 reductions achievable from the various technologies; for example thermal solar panels, photovoltaic panels, biomass boilers, combined heat and power, heat pumps etc so that informed choices can be made.

Not all insulation materials are equal. For example one insulating block may be 50% more effective than another of a similar price. We can advise on the effectiveness of insulation types and on the economic thickness.

As our climate warms our buildings will need to adapt. Recent research has highlighted the need for thermal mass to absorb excess summer heat. It is no longer acceptable to design buildings for a cold Northern European climate. In southern England in particular, buildings must adapt to a climate likely to be closer to that of the Mediterranean, with much warmer summers and milder but wetter winters.

As our buildings become more energy efficient, the energy used to produce and transport the components and materials of which they are constructed will become relatively more important. Ensuring that timber is from sustainably managed forests is a requirement under the Code for Sustainable Homes. Selecting materials that have low environmental impacts will also ensure a higher Code rating. We can advise on the suitability of less common materials and on the performance of many traditional materials such as lime and earth block (clay lump)

Our database on traditional and natural materials allows us to calculate U-values for almost all construction materials.

As part of our service we calculate the risk of condensation both surface and interstitial and will advise where risks are present.

We can use the SAP software to calculate the indicative running costs for different heating systems so that comparisons can be made. Energy prices are changing very rapidly and identical buildings can produce very different heating costs due to the different patterns of use by the occupants.� Nevertheless, the software can make useful comparisons and explode some widely held myths exploited by some over-zealous sales personnel.

There is frequently a conflict between the conservation of historic buildings and the need to improve the energy performance of these buildings. Resolving these conflicts so as to achieve the best of both worlds is a delicate balancing act. With our knowledge of traditional and historic buildings we are well placed to advice on the sympathetic improvement of historic buildings.