New Build SBEM Calculations

New build, converted or extended premises?  You need to submit an SBEM Calculation (Simplified Building Energy Model) at the same time as your Building Control application.  At National Energy Rating our aim is to help you achieve a pass.

SBEM calculates the energy cost and carbon emissions generated to heat, light, ventilate, cool and provide hot water to a building.  SBEM calculations are also used to show compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations, and should be applied from the design stage of the building process.

SBEM calculations work out a Target Emission Rating (TER) followed by a Building Emission Rate (BER).  The BER must be equal to or less than the TER in order for the SBEM rating to show a pass on the SBEM report. If the SBEM report shows a pass then the project passes Building Regulations Part L1B.

Our plan assessors focus on achieving a ‘pass’ result -and will provide you with the right advice and suggestions.

We pride ourselves in having a good relationship with Building Control bodies.  Our service provides prompt turnaround times, we are proactive in incorporating innovative materials and renewable energy sources into the calculations where and when required.

What do I need to provide?

A completed checklist

Plans and elevations

Site plan with orientation

Building specification



Top ten tips on SBEM Compliance
1. An SBEM calculation aims to ensure that your building is compliant with current building regulations. A large part of the SBEM calculation is to determine whether the U-Values of the Walls, Floor and Roof meet current standards. In order to ensure that this is the case and to gain a pass on the SBEM report it is advisable to make sure that all constructions have as much insulation as possible.
2. SBEM also takes into account the glazing used in a building. Heat loss is a major factor in an SBEM calculation so well insulated Double Glazing would give a far better result on the SBEM report than poorly insulated Single Glazing.
3. The heating system within a building is usually the make or break factor within an SBEM calculation and is generally responsible for whether it passes or fails. The best way to ensure a good result on the SBEM report is by choosing the most energy efficient heating system available. It may cost more initially but will be more cost and energy efficient in the long run.
4. Lighting has a big effect on the results of an SBEM calculation. Using Low Energy lighting throughout the building will save a great deal of energy and give a better pass rate on the SBEM report.
5. When converting a building it is not always possible to insulate to as high a standard as with a new build. However, as long as all of the mechanical and electrical services have been either upgraded or replaced and all upgraded constructions are to the minimum U-Values as the existing building will allow; a pass on the SBEM report should be relatively easy to achieve.
6. SBEM compliance is always harder to achieve with an extension to a building. Contractors are always tempted to use the existing Building Services in the new extension to save money however these services are sometimes not efficient enough to cope with a new building. Installing new Building Services for the extension or upgrading the existing ones is always a good step to take in order to ensure the extended building will pass the SBEM calculation. It is also normally more cost effective in the long run.
7. An SBEM calculation is all about energy efficiency. We are always being told that switching off lights when we are not in a room is a great way to save energy so installing Infrared Occupancy Sensors in rooms used less often such as toilets or day-lighting controls in large, highly glazed areas is a really good way to getting a good result on an SBEM report.
8. As with lighting, installing certain controls on the building’s heating system such as Weather Compensation and Time and Temperature Controls is a great way to save energy and will help the building pass the SBEM report.
9. Fuels are another major affecting factor in an SBEM calculation. Certain fuels have higher emissions factors than others and choice of fuel can often be a deciding factor in whether the SBEM report passes or fails. For example, Electricity has a higher emissions rate than Gas so a gas system will more than likely get a pass on an SBEM over an electric one. However, certain systems work better in certain buildings regardless of fuel so this is not always 100% the case.
10. Low and Zero Carbon technologies such as Solar Panels and Ground and Air Source Heat Pumps will always get a good result in an SBEM calculation. Installing these can give pass rates of up to 50% as they are highly energy efficient. Some are not as practical as others however they will all work towards a good result on an SBEM report.

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Part L2 Compliance For Commercial Buildings

Part L Building Regulations Legislation can be confusing and time consuming, especially if you have not had to meet these requirements before. At National Energy Rating we know you need an easy straight forward approach, with sensible and practical advice.

A new revision of Part L (Conservation of Fuel & Power) of the Building Regulations came into force in April 2006. The regulations relating to non-domestic buildings are in two parts:

Part L2A governing new build non-domestic buildings
Part L2B governing works on existing buildings. Extensions to existing buildings are assessed using the rules set in Part L2A.
Compliance with Part L2A can now only be demonstrated using a National Calculation Methodology (NCM) . The familiar elemental method no longer applies.

The NCM compares the total energy consumption of the building and its services, expressed as carbon dioxide emissions of the building, ("Building Emission Rate" or BER), with a target value ("Target Emissions Rate" or TER), derived from calculations for a "notional building", which is similar in size, shape and use class of the evaluated building.

The "Target Emissions Rate" requires an improvement factor to be applied to the notional building's emissions according to the building services strategy to be used, ranging between 23% for naturally ventilated buildings to 28% for mechanically ventilated and air conditioned buildings.

In addition to this overall energy consumption requirement, minimum thresholds are set for:

thermal performance of individual fabric elements
building services plant efficiencies
envelope air tightness

Provision is made for credits to encourage the use of LZC (Low and Zero Carbon) technologies, and there is a further requirement to include means to limit solar gains in summer.

Building Control Part L approval is now a two stage process, with design calculations demonstrating theoretical compliance submitted pre-construction, and a second submittal confirming the actual calculated performance of the building post-construction.

All buildings are subject to air tightness testing to demonstrate that the assumptions used in the energy calculations have been achieved in practice.

Building Control also now require verification, post construction, that metering is installed, building services are fully commissioned and a building Log Book has been prepared to provide the building owner with relevant information to enable him to operate his building effectively.

The impact of the 2006 changes to Part L are that building design teams now have to optimise building fabric, geometry and services at an early stage to achieve these demanding energy efficiency standards.

National Energy Rating can help you with you Part L compliance, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss with and advise you regarding your requirements.


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