What are Predicted Energy Assessments?

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the need to change the way that we live our lives to try to combat climate change, the government is introducing new initiatives to help in reaching their net-zero target. One major way that the government is looking to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the country is by ensuring energy efficiency in our homes.

A significant proportion of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from housing, and the government believes that by encouraging the public to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, we can begin to take steps to improve the situation.

There are plenty of measures that can be employed in order to help to make our houses more energy-efficient, including insulating the property, double or triple-glazing, and the use of renewable energy sources.

For existing homeowners, the energy efficiency of their property can be investigated and measured through the creation of an Energy Performance Certificate (or EPC). This is an assessment that is carried out on the property, looking at the energy efficiency measures that are in place, as well as other details about the property. The EPC gives the property an energy-efficiency rating of between ‘A’ and ‘G’, an indication of how much energy bills are likely to cost, and recommendations about how the energy efficiency of the property can be improved.

Defining Predicted Energy Assessments

For existing properties, a domestic EPC is required for a home or a commercial EPC for a commercial property. However, if the building has not yet been built, an EPC in this form is impossible to carry out. And this is why Predicted Energy Assessments (PEAs) exist.

A PEA is an assessment of the energy efficiency of a building that is yet to be built. There are several guidelines into the measures that must be taken to ensure that the building is as energy efficient as possible, and these measures are investigated from the drawings of the property

PEAs have now been made a legal requirement by the government who is looking at ways that we can reduce our carbon emissions.

A PEA enables housebuilders, governing bodies, and potential buyers of the constructed property to ensure that it will meet the energy efficiency standards and expectations of buildings in 2021.

The main aspects that are looked at when a Predicted Energy Assessment is carried out are the SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) for thermal energy and the Environmental Impact Rating (or CO2 rating).

The SAP looks at the environmental impact of the building and is used not only in the Predicted Energy Assessment but also in the standard Energy Performance Certificate. In this procedure, a number of factors are investigated, including the energy-saving measures that will be incorporated into the building such as insulation, the building’s heating system, and double glazing.

The Environmental Impact Rating looks at the energy efficiency of the property in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.

It is important to note that once that the building is complete, the Predicted Energy Assessment should be replaced by the Energy Performance Certificate, accurately outlining the energy efficiency of the property and all of the other details that are included in the document – including any further recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of the property.

Who Needs a Predicted Energy Assessment?

The law now stipulates that a PEA is required whenever a new building is built. It should be supplied by the constructor to the buyer of the property when it has been constructed, giving them all of the information that is useful for them in terms of the energy efficiency of the building.

Do I Need a PEA for a New Build? 

In short, yes, a PEA is needed to be produced at the time of the design of a new build property. It is produced when the Design Final SAP calculation has been submitted. It must be carried out by a qualified OCDEA (On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor) who is accredited by the government.

Contact our Energy Assessors today

If you are building a new construction and are looking for a Predicted Energy Assessment to be carried out, get in touch with us here at Nexus Energy. Our team of qualified Energy Assessors is on hand to carry out your PEA. We can also provide domestic and commercial EPCs in London, Glasgow, and more; alongside this, we provide advice about how to improve the energy efficiency of your home.