The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the UK Government's recommended method system for measuring the energy rating of residential dwellings.[1] 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 since 6 April 2006 (England & Wales: L1 Approved Document), 1 November 2006 (Northern Ireland Technical Booklet F1) and 1 May 2007 (Scotland Technical Handbook 6, Domestic).
A simplified version of SAP 2005, RDSAP, will be used to produce the energy report and Energy Performance Certificate in Home Information Packs (HIPs). A new document was published by the UK Government in 2007, looking towards SAP and energy standards in the future.[2]
A number of comparisons have indicated that SAP does not provide an accurate model for low-energy buildings.[3][4][5]
The Standard Assessment Procedure evolved from the National Home Energy Rating scheme, which was based upon the Milton Keynes Energy Cost Index created for the Energy World demonstration buildings in the 1980s.