Articles
Written by the technical specialists at Energist, our knowledge bank of articles is regularly updated with the latest industry news and updates from Energist HQ to help you understand all you need to know. Sign up to our newsletter to receive these updates direct to your inbox.
Thermal Modelling CV
06 Aug 2019
Mark Asimakis, Senior Energy and Sustainability Specialist at Energist Part of the Energist team since May 2017 Part of the #AskTheAssessor series Qualifications and Experience MSc in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) CIBSE Graduate Membership IES…
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The CCC Progress report- what it means for the UK's future carbon footprint
17 Jul 2019
There’s been plenty of media attention on the UK’s carbon footprint recently, and this momentum appears to have blown a strong wind into the sails of the Committee on Climate Change. There’s been plenty of…
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Why choose Energist for your Daylight and Sunlight assessment?
12 Jul 2019
Aaron Perry, Technical Team Leader at Energist Part of the Energist team since October 2014 Part of the #AskTheAssessor series As Technical Team Leader, Aaron heads up our Daylight and Sunlight Impact Assessment service with over…
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Energist BREEAM CV
02 Jul 2019
Will Orriss-Baxter, Senior Energy and Sustainability Specialist at Energist Part of the Energist team since March 2018 Part of the #AskTheAssessor series Qualifications and experience Qualified BREEAM Assessor BREEAM UK New Construction Assessor BREEAM Infrastructure…
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Meet the Team: Q&A with Mark
24 Jun 2019
Mark Asimakis, Senior Energy and Sustainability Specialist Mark heads up our Planning Team and Thermal Modelling service to deliver dynamic thermal models and overheating analysis. Mark has many years experience working on projects to mitigate…
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Consultation opened on Building a Safer Future following the Hackitt Review
17 Jun 2019
While Conservative leadership hopefuls are busy battling for the headlines, the Government has snuck out a consultation that could rip up the rule book on how we build in England. Many in the industry will…
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Building a Safer Future: Dutyholders and the line of responsibility
17 Jun 2019
There’s no doubt the industry is open to the idea of planning reform and Building Regulation changes post-Grenfell. When Judith Hackitt released her scathing attack on the current system last year, she highlighted apartment blocks of…
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UK Government legislates the 2050 net zero carbon target
12 Jun 2019
This week the UK has become the first G7 country to legislate itself into becoming a net zero carbon area by 2050. And with this news, eyes will now turn to other leading nations to…
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Building a residential development? Here's all you need to know
07 Jun 2019
Whether you’ve just been granted planning permission to build 300 new homes, or you’re embarking on your first self-build project, many of the planning conditions and building regulations you’ll need to comply with for energy…
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Part L: Why the delay?
24 May 2019
It may feel like we’ve written a novel’s worth of articles talking about the new Part L… and we probably have. We’ve been waiting more than three years for the Government to make an announcement…
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In the news: Malthouse and Clark
21 May 2019
Plans unveiled for discounted homes Housing Minister, Kit Malthouse, has unveiled plans to help fund ‘discounted homes’ in parts of the country that need them most. He’s announced £8.5 million will be made available to…
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The framework definition of ‘Net Zero Carbon Buildings’
20 May 2019
We don’t know who deals with the ‘Building Regulations Ideas’ in-tray at Westminster, but they’ve got a lot of bedtime reading to get through. Recently added to the ‘must read’ pile will be the framework…
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Meet the Energist BREEAM team
13 May 2019
Not every development will require a BREEAM assessment. It all depends on your local planning authority and the size and type of your scheme. If your scheme does have planning conditions with a BREEAM stipulation,…
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Meet the Team: Q&A with Helen
08 May 2019
Helen Williams, Client Director Recently promoted to Client Director, Helen is one of our longest-serving team members and has become an invaluable contact for many of our clients. Providing support and technical knowledge within Energist London,…
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Fresh guidance issued on MEES upgrades
15 Apr 2019
The regulation that forces landlords to upgrade some of the UK’s least energy efficient buildings is celebrating its first anniversary this month. The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) bans new rental agreements or sales on privately…
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Meet the Team: Q&A with Aaron
05 Apr 2019
Aaron Perry, Technical Team Leader Aaron is Team Leader of the Energist Technical Team and has shared with us a little about his role and what it’s like to work at Energist. “My role is…
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Completion stage: The services you need at the end of your build
02 Apr 2019
Which services do you need at the end of your build? There is light at the end of the tunnel! You can see the finish line on your current development, and you have potential occupants…
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Gas boilers to be banned in 2025? We don't think so
01 Apr 2019
You may have spotted a story in the news recently claiming gas boilers will be banned in new homes from 2025, which may have lead you on to wonder why, with just six years to…
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BREEAM 2018: One year on
24 Mar 2019
One year on from BREEAM 2018: What we know now A year has now passed since the latest revision of BREEAM New Construction was released on 23rd March 2018. In this time both Energist and…
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How do Design Stage requirements differ around the country?
18 Mar 2019
We know how much of a relief it is to get the big thumbs up from the local planning department. But we also know that opens a whole new chapter in the progress of your…
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Meet the Team: Q&A with Connie
18 Mar 2019
Connie Linnane, Regional Team Manager Connie brings together the Regionals sales team of Business Development Managers, who work closely with our Regional clients around the country to ensure we understand their individual requirements and provide all…
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Brexit: What could it mean for the construction industry?
14 Mar 2019
It’s going to be interesting to see how the rest of March plays out this year. At Energist we’re used to seeing a spike in requests for final documentation, such as Energy Performance Certificates, at…
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Infographic: Which energy and sustainability services do I need?
11 Mar 2019
We like to make things simple at Energist and one of our key objectives is to take our highly specialised segment of the construction industry and make it accessible for all. With that in mind,…
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Why choose Energist?
05 Mar 2019
Why Energist? You may be reading this looking for reasons why you would choose Energist over other suppliers, so to help your decision process, here are ten reasons: 1. We are on top of industry…
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Need Fast-track Energy and Sustainability Assessments?
05 Mar 2019
We know all kinds of pressures are put on site managers and design teams to deliver high quality homes, in budget and on time. But sometimes, for whatever reason, the things that are regularly urgent are…
Read More What are the different energy and sustainability requirements for planning in the UK?
26 Feb 2019
What are the different energy and sustainability requirements for planning in the UK? One of the challenges faced by Local Planning Authorities is the need to ensure new building projects are meeting the needs…
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The sky's the limit for rooftop homes in London
21 Feb 2019
As available building space in our capital is so restricted, developers are now turning to the skies with a novel idea for increasing the number of new homes being built in London. Homes England (a…
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What is a Life Cycle Assessment?
20 Feb 2019
Under the most recent changes to BREEAM (2018), a Life Cycle Assessment is now required for all schemes to achieve credits in the MAT01 section. The materials we choose when constructing new developments can bring…
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Meet the Energist Planning Team
08 Feb 2019
In the last couple of years we have seen a surge in interest for our planning services. It seems that local authorities are really clamping down on developers and pushing new sites towards sustainability – especially…
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Change to London Plan policy means a staggering shift away from CHP systems
25 Jan 2019
For many years the largest new developments in London have favoured district heating networks with Combined Heat and Power. However, a recent revision to the London Plan now means policy is driving us towards electric…
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What is BREEAM? - A quick introduction
23 Jan 2019
Have you been asked to complete a BREEAM assessment? Many local planning authorities, especially those in built-up areas, now ask developers to complete a BREEAM assessment and first-timers to BREEAM are normally surprised to find…
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Hackitt review recommendations to be carried forward
21 Jan 2019
While the rolling news networks spent the week before Christmas focusing on Brexit, an announcement from the Secretary of State for Housing slipped under the radar that could change England’s construction industry as we know…
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Our prediction of 2019 changes in the construction industry
03 Jan 2019
What changes can we expect in the construction industry in 2019? Predicting what’s going to happen in political circles over the next twelve months feels like an impossible task. With so much focus on Brexit, and…
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2018 End of Year Summary
17 Dec 2018
This may be the only review of 2018 you’ll find online that doesn’t mention the B word! You’d be forgiven for thinking Westminster has been a one-trick pony this year, but there have been several…
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Part G Water Efficiency Targets Change in Wales
10 Dec 2018
Water efficiency targets for new dwellings in the UK have become more fragmented following a change to Welsh building regulations in November. Water efficiency targets for new dwellings in the UK have become more fragmented…
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Government announces amendment to Part B Building Regulations
07 Dec 2018
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed Approved Document Part B (England) will be changed before Christmas 2018 With all the headlines currently focusing on Brexit, you may have missed the announcement…
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The London Plan switches to SAP 10 - will this end CHP dominance in the capital?
21 Nov 2018
The GLA’s changes – coming into force in January – are set to end CHP dominance in the capital. Jon Ponting from the Energist Technical Team explains why. The Greater London Authority (GLA) has surprised…
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The Government's response to Dame Judith Hackitt's review
03 Oct 2018
Update: Hackitt review and Government response The Government has published a response to the recommendations made in Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, following the Grenfell Tower fire. Hackitt’s review,…
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How is the Energy Hierarchy set to change in the new London Plan?
24 Sep 2018
With the London Plan due for its next update towards the start of 2020 and a draft consultation of changes already outlined, how might the new London Plan affect your next development? The current version…
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Introducing the new London Plan
12 Sep 2018
The recent public consultation on the new London Plan revealed the cost of carbon offset payments is set to increase by over 50%, with other significant changes to the London Plan that are likely to…
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What will SAP 10 changes mean for you?
22 Aug 2018
After years of anticipation, we are now one step closer to knowing where the construction industry will need to push to meet the next wave of energy efficiency targets. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has,…
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Don't miss out on these BREEAM credits
19 Apr 2018
With over 250 BREEAM projects successfully completed, our experience tells us which credits you shouldn’t be missing out on. Offering advice at the right time and guidance throughout your project, we can help you achieve…
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10 Things You Need to Know About BREEAM 2018
26 Mar 2018
It was only a couple of weeks ago that BRE released the full details of BREEAM New Construction 2018. It’s already replaced the previous 2014 version, so if you have a new site that needs…
Read More All you need to know about BREEAM UK New Construction 2018
09 Mar 2018
BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 Officially Released In amongst the maze of PV panels and shiny heating systems at this year’s Ecobuild exhibition at London’s Excel Centre, the Building Research Establishment (BRE) officially released BREEAM…
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Communication and Cooperation are Key - How to Avoid Failing an Air Leakage Test
26 Jan 2018
From planning to completion, great cooperation is the key to quality construction. Air Leakage Testing depends on all trades and the site manager understanding what will be required. The impact of a ‘failed’ Air Leakage…
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Why is Summer Overheating in London Such a Hot Topic?
25 Oct 2017
Nobody wants to live in a draughty home. We have an expectation that new buildings will be well insulated, warm and have low energy bills. It’s all well and good in the winter, when we…
Read More The Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Planning in London
18 Oct 2017
The London Plan targets have a huge impact on both design and build costs for new developments and need to be addressed before submitting a planning application. Here’s our Top 10 summary of what you…
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Will new fire safety guidance impact your site's energy performance?
01 Sep 2017
In recent months, fire safety has come under the spotlight in our homes. With retrospective testing showing worrying results, especially for high-rise developments, we’ve been receiving lots of queries from clients who are changing their…
Read More How to get your BREEAM assessment off to the best start
08 May 2017
Our Top Tips to help you get your BREEAM project off to the best start… 1. Involve a BREEAM Assessor as early as possible Getting an assessor involved from pre-planning stage will make the whole…
Read More Our Same Day EPC Promise or Your Money Back
28 Apr 2017
What is the cost to you when you cannot handover on time? We understand that Building Control sign off can be the most pressured point of a build, with tight and potentially costly deadlines to…
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Top Tips for Acoustic Testing
05 Apr 2016
If you are not building to the Robust Details Standard, Part E requires new houses (with the exception of detached homes) to be tested for acoustic performance. Here’s some tips to help you achieve low…
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Commercial Air Leakage Testing – Top Tips
05 Apr 2016
Part L requires all new commercial buildings over 500sqm be air tested for air permeability as part of achieving Building Control approval; this is for both brand new sites and extensions to existing buildings. 1.…
Read More Top Tips for Air Leakage Testing
05 Apr 2016
Controlling air leakage is a key factor in achieving energy efficiency and in meeting Building Regulations. Ultimately, all surfaces of the external shell (floor, ceiling, walls) must provide an air tight barrier. Here are our…
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How to achieve the best result in your SBEM Calculation
05 Apr 2016
Part L2a of the Building Regulations lays down the requirements for all new build commercial developments when it comes to how efficient they must be. 1. Complete it early Make sure that your SBEM (Simplified…
Read More How to achieve the best result in your SAP calculation
05 Apr 2016
SAP Calculations are an element of the Part L building regulations for new build residential buildings. It is required to create the energy performance certificate (EPC) that is needed to sell the property. Our team…
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Top Sustainability Tips for Developing In London
05 Apr 2016
The London Plan sets a stringent carbon dioxide emission target: a 35% reduction over the requirements of Part L 2013. This target can influence all aspects of your design so here are our top tips…
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Electric heating is cheap and efficient. Why doesn’t SAP reflect this?
04 Apr 2016
If you have ever tried to meet the Target Emission Rate in SAP by installing panel or storage heaters in a home, you’ll know compliance is extremely difficult, and will usually result in PV panels…
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Lighting and SBEM: a light-bulb moment
16 Nov 2015
Unlike SAP Assessments for dwellings, CO2 emissions in SBEM calculations do not seem to be influenced as markedly by the specification of the fabric. Of course U-values do have some effect on the CO2 produced…
Read More What is the difference between SAP and SBEM?
13 Apr 2015
Every new building with a heating system will need to be assessed to check energy efficiency against current Government emission targets. If you are building houses or apartments blocks, each dwelling will need it’s own…
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What is a PSI value?
21 Oct 2014
If we imagine a house, the U-Values take into account all of the areas where heat can escape. This includes the roof, external walls, windows and the ground floor. But this does not take into…
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What is the future of heavily glazed buildings?
06 Jun 2014
The balance in the amount of glazing in a building is a delicate one and it’s not possible to apply a blanket rule that dictates glazing levels, given the influencing factors. What determines the “right”…
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What is Thermal Bridging?
15 May 2014
Thermal bridging is a term that is often bounded around in the world of energy efficiency, but often not entirely understood. It can be a complicated beast which is sometimes viewed as a regulatory burden.…
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