published: 1/4/2008
1 April 2008: New release of iSBEM_v3.1.a for EPCs
A new release of the calculation software SBEM, and its interface iSBEM, has today been made available for those wishing to produce Energy Performance Certificates (*) for buildings other than dwellings, or to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations, in England, Wales, Scotland and N Ireland.
Version 3.1.a of the software has benefited from feedback from tests carried out on the previous release version 3.0.b issued in February. The new version can be downloaded from the Download page, along with an updated version of the User Guide.
The new version includes a number of improvements. These include:
- The generation of EPC certificates and recommendations reports suitable for use in all the countries of the UK, in implementation of Article & of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive with an XML message valid for lodgement
- A number of other improvements to the calculation procedures following feedback from users
Considerations with regard to overheating:
The results of SBEM's automated analysis on overheating in version 3.0.b were only approximate, originally developed to provide guidance for recommendations accompanying EPCs and discussions are currently taking place regarding the possible refinements of the calculation for compliance checking purposes. Hence, a modified version of iSBEM might be available in the future. In the meantime, you will need to continue carrying out the overheating compliance check separately outside SBEM as you have been doing with versions prior to 3.0.b.
The SBEM development team is very grateful for feedback on the operation of the tool, and would welcome comments and queries through the helpline service, accessed through the 'Send feedback' page of this site.
(*) Note: Official Energy Performance Certificates can only be issued by accredited energy assessors operating through one of the accreditation bodies approved by CLG.
