The Building Research Establishment (BRE) will continue to maintain and update the government’s Home Energy Model (HEM) product recognition system and the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). These tools are central to assessing the energy efficiency of UK homes.
The updates to SAP aim to better reflect the complexity of the country’s housing stock, helping builders make further progress toward net-zero targets. SAP will work alongside HEM as the Future Homes Standard (FHS) is introduced this year.
BRE announced it had been awarded contracts by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to develop both HEM and SAP. These government methodologies will underpin the FHS and support ongoing improvements to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
BRE will focus on how new and existing technologies are recognised within HEM. As homes are decarbonised, technologies that provide heating, ventilation, hot water, energy storage, and control systems are becoming more advanced and crucial. BRE’s role is to ensure that HEM accounts for these innovations fairly and efficiently.
The updated SAP version 10.3 will operate alongside HEM to support the rollout of the FHS and the government’s goal of building 1.5 million homes during this parliament. BRE will also maintain existing versions of SAP and the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP). Together, these methodologies will offer the industry robust ways to comply with the FHS.
BRE has collaborated with DESNZ on HEM development since 2023 and previously held contracts for SAP work. This ongoing partnership builds on a long history between the two organisations.
Gillian Charlesworth, chief executive officer and executive director of BRE Group board, said, “BRE has a long history of collaboration with government, and it has been a pleasure to watch the development and preparation of the Future Homes Standard, and the methodologies that will ensure it is effective.
“We support the government’s efforts to provide a seamless transition to the Future Homes Standard by providing several routes to compliance, and ensuring the methodologies used are sound and reflect the challenges of making our homes more energy efficient.”
