Elmhurst Energy Glossary of Terms
ABE-Association of Building Engineers
Is the professional body for those specialising in the technology of building.
ADs- Approved Documents
Help in complying with the Building Regulations and are intended to provide guidance. However, there may well be alternative ways of achieving compliance with the requirements.
AI-Approved Inspectors
Approved Inspectors are qualified and experienced private sector building control professionals and consultancies who can help developers, designers and contractors achieve Building Regulations approval
APEL - Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning
APEL is a process that enables people to receive formal recognition for skills and knowledge they already possess. A persons learning and experience can be formally recognised and taken into account to either gain entry to a course, give exemption from certain parts of a new course or qualify for an award.
ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents)
is a professional body who are solely concerned with lettings.
BBA- British Board of Agreement
The BBA is a UK approval body for new construction products and installers. Agrément Certificates are recognised by specifiers and other industry decision-makers as proof that the products covered by them have been impartially assessed, will allow compliance with Building Regulations to be achieved and will last for a defined period.
BCB - Building Control Bodies
Are the legal enforcers of building standards/regulations throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
BFCMA-British Flue and Chimney Manufacturers Association
is a UK Trade Association for factory-made chimney products and works closely with Government, public bodies and other organisations to further the interest of the chimney & flue industry.
BRE- Building Research Establishment
The BRE Trust Companies, BRE and BRE Global, are research, consultancy, training, testing and certification organisations delivering sustainability and innovation across the built environment and beyond.
BREDEM- Building Research Establishment Domestic Energy Model
BREDEM is a model for the calculation of the annual energy requirements of domestic buildings, and for the estimation of savings resulting from energy conservation measures. SAP is actually based on BREDEM 9.
BSD- Building Standards Division
Previously, SBS- Scottish Building Standards, and SBSA Scottish Building Standards Agency, is responsible for writing the Scottish building regulations.
BFRC-British Fenestration Rating Council
is the operation of a UK national rating system for the thermal performance of fenestration products. The rating system is recognised within building regulations throughout the UK.
CEA - Commercial Energy Assessor
An accredited energy assessor capable of producing Energy performance Certificates for non domestic buildings.
CHP - Combined Heat and Power
A heating system which can also generate electricity.
CIBSE- Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers
is the professional body that exists to support the Science, Art and Practice of building services engineering, by providing members and the public with information and education services.
CIAT-Chartered Institute of Architectural Technicians
represents professionals working and studying in the field of Architectural Technology.
CIOB- Chartered Institute of Building
the CIOB is a membership body for building professionals any anything concerning the management of the total building process.
CLG - Department for Communities and Local Government
Is the government department in England and Wales responsible for amongst other things, Building Regulations, Housing, Planning, Urban Policies, Sustainable Communities and delivering EPCs.
CPD - Continuing Professional Development
A system which shows continuous professional learning throughout you professional career. Its is usually kept as a record of what additional learning you have completed post academic qualifications.
CPSU - Combined Primary Storage Unit
Is a single appliance that provides both space heating and domestic hot water. CPSUs contain a burner and a primary store with a capacity of over 70 litres.
CSHs - Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes gives an indication of the overall sustainability of a dwelling. CSHs differs from SAP Calculations by taking into account the type of materials used, water consumption and higher levels of building practice etc.
DEFRA- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Is the department in England and Wales responsible for wide environmental issues and currently own the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)
DPC-Damp Proof Course
a course of some impermeable material laid in the foundation walls of building near the ground to prevent dampness from rising into a building
DSM - Dynamic Simulation Model
are systems which should be used on complex buildings instead of the SBEM to produce energy calculations for building regulation approval and EPCs.
DFPNI - Department of Finance and Personnel Northern Ireland
Is the government department in Northern Ireland responsible for amongst other things Building Regulations and delivering Energy Performance Certificates.
ECF- Energy Cost Factor
is based on the cost of space and water heating within a property.
EES-Elmhurst Energy Systems
EIR - Environmental Impact Rating (CO2 emissions)
The EIR is displayed on an EPC and is the rating about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. A property that emits very little carbon would score an A and a more polluting property would score G.
EPBD - Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
A European directive that had to be enforced across all member states by the 4th of January 2009, which will amongst other things enforce the provision of Energy Performance Certificate (EPCs) when buildings are Constructed, Sold or Rented.
EPC - Energy Performance Certificate
Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A. The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment
EPR - Energy Performance Report
EPRs are EPCs which are not officially lodged in the Governments central database
EST-Energy Savings Trust
are a non-profit organisation that provides free impartial advice on saving energy. Our advice can help you save money and fight climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions from your home.
DEA - Domestic Energy Assessor
A DEA is a trained and qualified individual who can assess existing domestic dwellings and produce EPCs for use in the sales and rented markets.
DEC - Display Energy Certificate
Is a energy rating based on the actual energy use of a building, currently required in large public buildings in England & Wales and Northern Ireland.
DER - Dwelling (CO2) Emission Rate
The DER is calculated from SAP Software which is used for the purposes of compliance with building regulations. It is equal to the annual CO2 emissions per unit floor area for space heating, water heating, ventilation and lighting, less the emissions saved by energy generations technologies, expressed in kg/m2/year.
DIAG- Directive Implementation Advisory Group
The (EU) European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) Directive Implementation Advisory Group (DIAG) was established in 2002 to advise the UK Government on the energy performance of buildings and the implementation of the EPBD.
FAERO - Federation of Authorised Energy Rating Organisations
FAERO no longer in existence, but previously a confederation of approved SAP software providers (including Elmhurst Energy Systems) that encouraged and promoted the use of certified energy calculations.
GJ- Giga Joules
A joule is the derived unit of energy in the International System of Units, a gigajoule is 109Joule.
GSHP - Ground Source Heat Pumps
Make use of energy stored in the earth, which comes from solar radiation. Heat pumps take heat from one source and release it a higher temperature through a series of ground collectors, heat exchangers and the use of circulating fluid.
HBF-House Building Federation
HBF is a members body representing the home building industry in England and Wales.
HETAS- Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme
is the official body recognised by government to approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services. Its work in Approving products covers boilers, cookers, open fires and stoves and room heaters.
HCR - Home Condition Report
A voluntary survey which can be added to the HIP, if required; the HCR is a report on the physical condition of the property.
HEED-Home Energy Efficiency Database
Is currently by the EST for and on behalf of the Government in Scotland to organise and store the data from EPCs produced in Scotland.
HI-Home Inspector
A Home Inspector is a trained and qualified individual who can undertake a Home Condition Report (HCR) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).
HIP - Home Information Pack
sometimes called a Seller's Pack, are provided before a property in England and Wales can be put on the open market for sale with vacant possession. The pack is a set of documents about the property: an Energy Performance Certificate, local authority searches, title documents, guarantees, etc.
HLP-Heat loss parameter
Heat Loss Parameter (HLP), which is a value based on the external surface area, insulation (U value) of those surfaces and air-tightness of a dwelling and forms part of the SAP calculation.
iSBEM Interface with Simplified Building Energy Model
a freely available software tool to determine the energy performance of non-domestic buildings (commercial buildings)
kWH- Kilowatt Hours
The kilowatt-hour is a convenient unit for electricity. For example using a 60 watt light bulb for one hour consumes 0.06 kilowatt hours of electricity.
LA - Local Authority
an administrative unit of local government
LABC-Local Authority Building Control
is the member organisation representing Local Authority Building Control Departments in England and Wales
LEL - Low Energy Lighting
Lighting in building that have a much lower energy demand. These lights include compact fluorescent, fluorescent and to meet Building Regulations should not exceed 40 lumens per circuit watt.
LLL - Life Long Learning
Exactly the same as CPD; a professional is expected to continue to learn throughout a career, post qualifications.
LPG- Liquid Petroleum Gas
Liquid Petroleum Gas is available to serve gas appliances in areas without mains gas. Requires a storage tank.
LZC - Low to Zero Carbon
(Also see LZT) Are energy sources which are increasingly being installed in buildings e.g. micro CHP, photovoltaic panels, solar panels and wind turbines
LZT-Low to Zero (Carbon) Technologies
(Also see LZC) - Are energy sources which are increasingly being installed in buildings e.g. micro CHP, photovoltaic panels, solar panels and wind turbines
MEV-Mechanical Extract Ventilation
Is a fan driven ventilation system which only extracts air from a building
MVHR - Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery
A system of mechanical ventilation within a building that extracts internal air, but recycles the heat from the extracted air, back into the building.
NAEA - National Association of Estate Agents (Now NFOPP)
Is the is the UK's leading professional body for estate agency
NCD - Newly Constructed Dwellings
A new build dwelling where full SAP methodology applies rather than RdSAP.
NFOPP - National Federation of Property Professionals
is the Group name for a number of membership organisations that currently comprise, NAEA, ARLA and a number of other smaller groups
NOS - National Occupational Standards
National Occupational Standards set out measurable performance outcomes to which an individual is expected to work in a given occupation. Developed by employers across the UK, NOS set out the skills, knowledge and understanding required to perform competently in the workplace.
NVQ-National Vocational Qualification
are vocational awards in England and Wales that are achieved through assessment and training. In Scotland they are known as Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ). They are practical qualifications based on being able to do a job. There are five levels of NVQ ranging from Level 1, which focuses on basic work activities, to Level 5 for senior management.
OCDEA - On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor
A OCDEA is a trained and qualified individual who can undertake building regulation calculations and produce EPCs for newly constructed dwellings.
OFTEC-Oil Firing Technical Association
Are the oil heating and cooking trade body and works closely with Government, public bodies and other organisations to further the interest of the oil heating and cooking appliances
OR-Operational Rating
Is the methodology to produce an energy calculation for Display Energy Certificates (DECs).
PEA - Predictive Energy Assessments
are derived from SAP Calculations and are provided for any new dwelling that is to be marketed prior to its completion.
PI - Professional Indemnity
Is insurance that protects professional persons for sums they may have to pay as compensation to clients because of problems with work undertaken.
PIV - Positive Input Ventilation
A fan system by which air is forced into a building, at a low level, usually in domestic situations this air is taken from the warm air in a loft space
PL - Public Liability
Is insurance that covers against loss, or of damage to, third party property, or persons, arising from the activities of a business.
PV- PhotoVoltaics
Modules convert sunlight directly into DC electricity and can be integrated into buildings.
Pressure Testing
Pressure Tests detect uncontrolled air leakage paths within the external envelope of the dwelling and the process is required in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to comply with Building Regulations.
QCA-Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
Working closely with government and other agencies, they maintain and develop the national curriculum and associated assessments, tests and examinations.
RIBA-Royal Institute of British Architects
is the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession. They work with government to improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes and new communities.
RICS - Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Is a professional body and its membership represents the property profession, giving support an advice on a diverse range of land, property, construction and related environmental issues.
RDSAP - Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure
Reduced Data SAP has been developed by the government for use in existing dwellings based on a site survey of the property, when the complete data set for a SAP calculation is not available.
RRN - Report Reference Number
The unique reference number for each individual Energy Performance Certificate produced when lodged in the central register.
RSL-Registered Social Landlord
are government-funded not-for-profit organisations that that provide affordable housing. They include housing associations, trusts and co-operatives, and work with local authorities to provide homes for people in housing need.
RTPI-Royal Town Planning Institute
Is a professional body representing town planners.
SAP - Standard Assessment Procedure
is the UK Government's recommended method system for measuring the energy rating of residential dwellings. The first version was published in 1995, to be replaced by newer versions in 1998, 2001 and 2005. It calculates the typical annual energy costs for space and water heating, and, from 2005, lighting. The CO2 emissions are also calculated. SAP 2005 has been used as the basis for checking new dwellings for compliance with building regulations in the United Kingdom requiring the conservation of fuel and power.
SBEM - Simplified Building Energy Model
is the methodology used to determine the energy performance of non-domestic buildings (often referred to as commercial buildings)
SEDBUK -Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK
A national database which gives efficiencies of boilers.
SFP - Specific Fan Power
Is used to calculate the annual energy use of fans and where applicable, the gains to the building from the fans for use within energy calculations
SPF- Seasonal Performance Factors
Is the ratio of useful energy output of a device to the energy input, averaged over an entire heating season.
TER - Target (CO2) Emission Rate
The TER is calculated from SAP Software which is used for compliance with building regulations. It is a notional figure expressed in kg/m2/year which sets the maximum permitted emissions for an individual dwelling, taking into account the previous building regulations, a betterment factor (currently 20%) set by the Government and fuel factor.
TFA-Treated Floor Area
For energy calculations this is the total of all the floors including main building and any extensions if present.
TMP- Thermal Mass Parameter
Is an overall figure for the thermal mass of a building; which is derived from the admittance of individual elements within the building.
TRV- Thermostatic Radiator Valve
these valves are placed on radiators and sense room temperature and can be adjusted by the householder to their required comfort temperature.
UPRN - Unique Property Reference Number
Each building in the UK is given a property reference number by the government which is unique to that property.
VRQ- Vocationally Related Qualification
is similar to an NVQ in that it is work related and practical, developing your employment skills. A VRQ focuses on assessing and recognising what you know and how well you understand it. It will focus on one industry and cover a range of related subjects.
