03 - Energy

Credit requirement for an “Excellent” or “Outstanding” – Connection to district heating is a condition of Planning - KBCN1766

This KBCN applies when a project is required to connect to a district heating system as a condition of planning and this is preventing the project from achieving the number of credits required for a BREEAM Excellent or Outstanding rating. In these situations, an additional brukl.inp file must be generated for the actual building but with an alternative heating system, e.g., a heat pump, that demonstrates that the minimum standard would be achieved if the building didn’t have to connect to district heating. A technical query must be raised citing this KBCN and stating the minimum standard being sought with two brukl.inp file attached, one for the actual building with district heating and one with the alternative with an alternative heating system. Where the brukl.inp documents demonstrate that requirement to district heating is the only thing preventing the project from achieving the required number of credits, the technical team will confirm and arrange for the minimum standard to be waived. However, the number of credits awarded must be based on the building connected to district heating.

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Erratum – NCV7 – Ene 08 Installed controls - KBCN1812

There is a printing error in the following: UKNC V7 Ene 08 Table 6.18 INC V7 Ene 08 Table 43 The correct options for Installed controls for space heating are:

Control type	Control functionality	Points awarded
Heat generator output – heat pumps	Multi-stage control (e.g. several on/off compressors)	1
	Variable control (e.g. hot gas bypass, inverter frequency control)	2

  The technical manual will be updated accordingly in the next re-issue.

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GN52 UK Ene 01 calculation methodology guidance - KBCN1750

Latest version: v0.0, July 2025 Guidance Note 52 (GN52) gives background information on the methodology for determining the number of credits achieved for energy performance under the Ene 01 assessment issue for BREEAM UK NC V7. The Ene 01 methodology uses a triple metric approach that addresses energy demand for heating and cooling, primary energy consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions. The aim of using this approach is to minimise the energy consumption and carbon emissions from regulated energy uses and to maximise the use of low carbon energy sources. Download Guidance Note 52 View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)

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GN53 Energy modelling and predicted operational energy performance score in Ene 02 - KBCN1751

Latest version: v0.2, February 2026 Guidance Note 53 (GN53) provides guidance for the predictive energy modelling and predicted operational energy performance score credits within Ene 02, detailing the input process for the issue’s operational energy calculator. Download Guidance Note 53 View all Guidance Notes on BREEAM Projects (licensed assessors only)

16-Feb-2026 - Updated for release of GN53 0.2

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Independent third party – clarification on the definition - KBCN1805

For the purposes of BREEAM, sister companies or parent companies cannot be considered as third parties.  To be classed as an independent third party, there must be no professional connection or relationship between the LCA consultant/energy assessor, or their company, and the verification body. The third-party verifier must be independent of the LCA or energy assessor and demonstrate impartiality (for general principles, see ISO 17029). To qualify as a third party, the verifier must belong to an organisation not involved in the project and must not provide advice to the project, as this could compromise their impartiality during verification.

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Predicted operational energy performance score – Credit table update - KBCN1825

From 4^th February 2026, the following credit table applies to Ene 02 in all BREEAM International New Construction V7 and BREEAM UK New Construction V7 assessments: ^{*Alternatively meet the minimum EPR_NC score specified for Excellent in Ene 01. **Alternatively meet the minimum EPR_NC score specified for Outstanding in Ene 01.} The OEP_NC scores required for each credit boundary have been lowered on the BREEAM platform in response to assessor feedback and an internal review of credit attainment against our benchmark database. The table above supersedes: - Table 28 in BREEAM International New Construction V7 - Table 6.3 in BREEAM UK New Construction V7 For further guidance on Ene 02 and the achievement of OEP_NC scores please refer to KBCN1751 - GN53 Energy modelling and predicted operational energy performance score in Ene 02. The above updated credit table will be included in the next reissue of the technical manuals

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