03 - Energy - BREEAM Knowledge Base

Communal cycle storage in adjacent building - KBCN1105

Communal cycle storage may be provided within an adjacent building to the dwellings provided the storage is

For the sole use of dwellings' occupants
Within 100m of the communal entrance to the flats.

Communal laundry facilities - KBCN0776

Credits can be awarded to all dwellings that have access to communal laundry facilities, provided the appliances meet the EU energy labelling requirements in Ene 05.

Compliance: Manufacturer/supplier does not comply - KBCN0571

Where equipment is required to meet specific criteria to achieve compliance it is important to ensure the client seeks out manufacturers/suppliers that provide equipment which meets these criteria. If the chosen product / supplier cannot meet the criteria then the credit cannot be awarded. BREEAM seeks to recognise the use of equipment which offers the latest sustainable solutions.

Control systems for external lighting - KBCN1324

If it can be demonstrated that the control system for external lighting is equally or more energy-efficient than those is shown in the 'Definitions' section of Ene 07, then it may be used to show compliance with the criteria.

Converting a non-habitable room into a habitable room - KBCN1327

If the refurbishment project involves a room, for example a garage, being converted into a habitable room, the pre-refurbishment SAP assessment needs to include this space in the total floor area. The energy assessment of this space will need to be based on the default values in SAP Appendix S or actual values where available.

Cycle spaces – Folding bicycles and scooters - KBCN00024

The provision of cycle storage that is only suitable for folding bicycles or scooters is not compliant. Providing reduced storage space for folding bicycles or scooters in place of compliant cycle storage may limit future travel options.

14 03 2018 Wording clarified and reference to scooters included.

Cycle storage accessible through staircase - KBCN0639

While BRE does not rule out the possibility for cycle storage to be accessed via a staircase, health and safety considerations must be made, especially with regards to wet, icy and dark conditions. On reflection of the above, the assessor should be satisfied that the cycle storage location is easily accessible.

Cycle storage spaces – rounding - KBCN1103

The calculation for the required number of cycle spaces must always be rounded up.

Dwellings connected to a communal primary heating system - KBCN0160

Where a dwellings primary heating source is a communal system, it may not be possible to measure the energy consumption based on the incoming mains supply with the EDD (Energy Display Device) alone. Where heat is supplied to the dwelling as hot water, for example, a compatible heat meter will be required to calculate the energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh), which can then be transmitted to the EDD. The EDD must report on all applicable energy uses.

Energy and water monitors located outside the dwelling - KBCN0781

Credits can be awarded if the energy monitor is located outside of the dwelling provided it is connected to a display within the dwelling. The occupant needs to see at regular intervals their energy and water use.

Energy output from large scale renewable or low carbon technologies - KBCN0287

Where renewable energy generation calculations cannot be determined by the MCS installer it should be obtained from the SAP assessor or Domestic Energy Assessor. The output should be given in kWh/m²/annum.

Energy Savings Trust website criteria - KBCN0140

In previous versions of BREEAM New Construction 2011, compliance with the Energy Saving Trust (EST) criteria for domestic scale appliances was required for credit Ene 08 Energy Efficient Equipment. As this information is no longer readily available from EST, compliance can be demonstrated where domestic scale equipment meets the requirements for the EU Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme as outlined in the latest BREEAM New Construction 2011 manual.

Minimum standard for listed buildings and buildings in a conservation area - KBCN0207

A report must be produced in consultation with the Conservation Officer to include the fabric report detailing explicit restrictions and demonstrating that energy efficiency measures elsewhere in the building have been maximised. Where minimum standards cannot be met, this must be fully justified. This is needed to justify that as much as possible can be done within the restrictions imposed by the listed status.

New EU energy labels - KBCN1445

Background

In recent years, the market for domestic-scale appliances has seen excellent progress, with increasingly energy-efficient products becoming widely available. Consequently, the A-rated category was extended over time to include A+, A++, and A+++ ratings. Meanwhile, the lower ratings, such as E, F and G have become increasingly rare. It was clear that an adjustment to a new, simpler set of ratings was required.

Statutory Changes

From 1^st March 2021, the European Commission requires new, updated energy labels of A to G for dishwashers, washing machines, fridges and electronic displays. Lamps will require the new ratings from 1^st September 2021 and requirements for re-labelling tumble dryers are yet to be confirmed. This means:

A+ to A+++ will transition mainly to C through to F
A and B will initially apply to very few products
G ratings will be phased out, with F ratings to follow

Changes for BREEAM and HQM

As a result of the introduction of the new EU ratings and in order to maintain the original intent of the BREEAM criteria, the approach for our schemes has had to change. It is not possible to establish direct equivalence between the old and new energy labels, therefore the updated approach will be to recognise the best-performing 25% of each appliance type, based on a comprehensive market sample. The table below shows how this translates into the new EU Energy Labels for different appliance types.

Appliance type	Rating required
Fridges, fridge-freezers, freezers	E
Washing machines	B
Dishwashers	D
Washer-dryers	D - D

This approach will ensure that BREEAM continues to drive the energy efficiency of appliances by demonstrating a meaningful reduction in energy consumption. Note that these new requirements will be reviewed from time to time and may be subject to change. Where assessments have already specified (and can procure) products bearing the old labels, it is acceptable to follow the previous criteria. However, where products bear the new label and for all assessments registered after 31/05/2021, the new criteria must be met.

17 Apr 2023 - Applicability to NC2013 confirmed.
21 Mar 2022 - Confirmation added that washer-dryers require a D rating for both cycles
23 Nov 2021 - Reference to 'freezers' added to appliance types
12 May 2021 - Guidance updated and applicability to HQM One and BREEAM NOR confirmed

Non-fixed internal lighting, eg plug-in desk and floor lamps - KBCN0486

Such lighting does not need to be assessed, as only fixed lighting needs to be included.

Open plan living room, dining room and kitchen - KBCN0779

The home office can be located in the dining room area of an open plan living room, dining room and kitchen. This only applies to 1 bedroom or studio flats. There will be less disturbance from the kitchen and lounge in a single occupancy dwelling compared to multiple occupancy.

Portable clothes drying racks - KBCN0164

Portable clothes drying racks are not compliant. These are not a fixed feature of the built asset and could be removed or moved to rooms which are not sufficiently ventilated.

SAP box number for the energy efficiency rating (EER) - KBCN1325

The energy efficiency rating (EER) should be taken from box number 258 under section 11a. If the dwellings you are assessing are supplied by community scale CHP please use SAP Box 358 under section 11b

SAP box number if community scale CHP is used - KBCN0274

If the dwellings you are assessing are supplied by community scale CHP please use SAP Box 358 under section 11b CHP information is in a separate section of the SAP worksheet

Site wide averaging of internal lighting - KBCN0375

The watts/m² of floor area should be calculated for each individual dwelling and cannot be averaged across a site of many dwellings.

Towel rails - KBCN00081

Towel rails cannot count towards the drying line requirements. Clothes drying lines are provided to reduce the need to tumble drying clothes, which uses a lot of energy. Using towel rails to dry clothes would require the potentially damp towels to be stored while the clothes dry. This is inconvenient and therefore means the aim of the credit is less likely to be met.

Use of a tablet or smart phone - KBCN0769

A tablet or smart phone can be used instead of a stand-alone device provided the following conditions are met:

There is broadband available to the home
The developer is certain that the residents will have a device on which the app can be used. If it is a possibility that residents do not have a device on which the app can be used, then a compatible device should be included in the dwelling
The app is capable of displaying the information listed in the criterion.
The residents will be informed of the existence of the app

This compliance note has been added because of the increase in the number of homes that have access to internet and due to the increase in ownership of smart phones and tablets

08/05/2019 Wording amended to make applicable to the requirements for both energy display devices and smart water meters.

Using different SAP versions (Full SAP or RdSAP) for pre and post-refurbishment - KBCN0202

You may use either Full SAP or RdSAP to calculate the energy efficiency rating. We allow both versions of SAP for flexibility and to help keep costs down, but we recommend that you use Full SAP both before and after refurbishment as this will give a more accurate result.

Wine coolers - KBCN0374

Wine coolers fall outside of the scope of this issue therefore do not need to meet the criteria for fridges. HQM - this means they do not need to be included in HQM's Energy Forecast and Cost bolt-on reporting tool.

Domestic Refurbishment / 2012 /

03 - Energy