Syntegra Energy Consulting Ltd

We offer a wealth of energy-related services. Simply pick a service to view a description.

Air conditioning inspection (ACI)

At Syntegra Consulting we can mobilise our air conditioning inspectors to undertake a survey on any type of building across the UK:

• In response to the EPBD; as of the 1st January, 2008 all new air conditioning installations must be inspected within 5 years
• Existing air conditioning systems with an effective rated output greater than 250kW must be inspected by January 2009
• Existing air conditioning systems greater than 12kW must be inspected before 2011
• These ACI assessments are in addition to the inspections required to meet statutory and duty of care obligations
• The air conditioning inspection is designed to improve efficiency and reduce electricity consumption, operating costs, and carbon emissions. ACI assessments highlight improvements to the operation of the existing installations as well as opportunities to replace older, less efficient and possibly oversized systems with new energy efficient systems
• Air conditioning inspections should be carried out by an Aircon energy assessor at intervals of up to 5 years maximum

Non-compliance with ACI legislation will result in a penalty. The penalty is £300 for failure to commission, keep or provide an air conditioning inspection report when required by the regulatory authority. This is in addition to the cost of a compliant ACI report.

BREEAM

BREEAM is the World’s leading environmental rating tool for buildings and the Building Research Establishment (BRE) Environmental Assessment Method for buildings. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the de facto measure used to describe a building’s environmental performance. BREEAM was established in 1990 as a voluntary tool to measure the sustainability of new non-domestic buildings in the UK and incorporates a wide variety of factors. These include material selection, construction waste management, water reduction, and energy efficiency.
Since its introduction, BREEAM assessments have been increasingly encouraged through planning policy and guidance, and have seen increased demand from tenants and developers as BREEAM buildings are typically more efficient to run and demonstrate a commitment to protecting the environment. BREEAM can be used to assess the environment performance of any type of building (new and existing). Standard versions exist for common building types and less common building types are assessed against tailored criteria under the bespoke BREEAM system. BREEAM provides clients, developers, designers, and others with:

• market recognition for low environmental impact buildings
• assurance that best environmental practice is incorporated into a building
• inspiration to find innovative solutions that minimises environmental impact
• a benchmark that is higher than regulation
• a tool to help reduce running costs, and improve working and living environments
• a standard that demonstrates progress towards corporate and organisational objectives

BREEAM addresses wide-ranging environmental and sustainable issues and enables designers and developers to prove the environmental credentials of their buildings to planners and clients.
For more information as to how we can assist on your project please contact us.

Building services design & Energy consultancy

At Syntegra Consulting we are able to undertake Building services design consultancy & Energy consultancy commissions throughout the UK. Our Building Services consultants are experienced and specialist areas of expertise. We have represented the International IBG at executive board level and also lead well respected blue chip companies at senior management level.

Growing environmental concerns and the steady rise in fuel prices have made energy efficiency a key driver for many organisations to consider for sustainable building services design solutions. Enforcement of the Kyoto Agreement and the introduction of policies such as the climate change levy, carbon emissions trading, Part L of the building regulations, and the EPBD have put focus on the energy conservation, sustainable development, and renewable energy sources

Syntegra Building Services design & energy consultants can work direct to private clients, or as part of a corporate multi-disciplinary design team, offering expert strategic advice on infrastructure design(electrical services, public health services, mechanical services), energy procurement, alternative renewable technology options, and meeting sustainability goals. Our approach and design solutions helps to reduce operating costs without impacting on clients’ strategic objective aspirations. Key areas offered are as follows:

• Mechanical & Electrical Services Consultancy
• Public Health Consultancy
• Specialist Lighting Design
• Low Zero Carbon (LZC) feasibility studies
• Intelligent Building Consultancy

For recently constructed projects, we can also carry out a range of post-occupancy energy audits, utility tariff reviews, surveys, and monitoring studies that assess performance and identify wastage. We evaluate operational conditions and put in place procedures to ensure plant and BMS and other service/systems are maintained and set up to maximise energy efficiency, including whole-life cycle commissioning and risk-based maintenance strategies.

Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment

Launched by the Government in 2007 the Code for Sustainable Homes replaces EcoHomes as the National standard to be used in the design and construction of new-build residential properties in England.

The code is a set of sustainable design principles covering performance in 9 key areas:

1. Energy & CO2 emissions;
2. Water;
3. Materials;
4. Surface water run-off;
5. Waste;
6. Pollution;
7. Health & well-being;
8. Management;
9. and Ecology.

The code uses a rating system of 1-6 stars and involves a Design Stage Report and a Post Construction Report which is submitted to the Building Research Establishment to provide a final code certificate.

Formal code assessment of new-build dwellings can only be carried out by a suitably qualified, licensed and registered, Code Assessor.

Developers wishing to lead the field in sustainable development will want to have their developments assessed under the code as soon as possible in the project life cycle to achieve as high a code as possible.

At Syntegra Consulting we can offer Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment at different stages of the development project tailored to the client and project requirements:

• Pre-assessment reports for planning application guidance and submission;
• Pre-assessment reports, advice, and guidance at the design stage;
• Planning stage guidance where Code for Sustainable Homes is required as a planning condition;
• Registration of the development as a Code for Sustainable Homes development;
• Full design review and advice on the most appropriate code level achievement strategy for your development;
• Design team liaison to ensure knowledge develops along with the project;
• Guidance on achieving specific ratings;
• Design stage assessment of the project for interim certificate issue;
• Post-construction stage site visit inspection for final code certificate issue.

Code Assessment – additional specialist areas

• (EN E 7) – Low Zero Carbon (LZC) feasibility studies;
• (SUR 2) – Flood Risk Assessment reports;
• (ECO1-ECO5) – Ecology consultancy for Ecology CATEGORY 9.

Syntegra Consulting have a number of experienced and qualified Code Assessors that are able to offer our Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment throughout the UK. For more information as to how we can assist as Code Assessors on your project please contact us.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

At Syntegra Consulting we can mobilise our qualified commercial energy assessors to undertake an energy survey on any type of commercial building across the UK:

• In response to the EPBD; as of 4th January, 2009 all commercial property for sale or let now require a commercial EPC
• The commercial EPC will tell you how energy efficient the commercial property is on a scale of A-G, with A being the most efficient. The certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the property has on the environment
• It is now mandatory that a commercial EPC is in place prior to marketing a commercial property
• Newly constructed commercial buildings are also required to have an EPC
• The commercial EPC is combined with a recommendation report on how the property’s energy efficiency can be improved, in addition to a potential rating if the recommendation work is carried out
• Commercial EPC‘s are valid for a 10 year period

Under current commercial EPC legislation a commercial EPC is not required on the following exempt premises:

• On lease renewals or extensions that were in place prior to 1st October, 2008
• Places of worship
• Stand alone buildings less than 50 square metres
• Properties with consent to be demolished within a 2 year period

Non-compliance with commercial EPC legislation will result in a penalty. The penalty is of up to 12.5% of the rateable value of the property, with a minimum of £500 and a maximum of £5,000. This is in addition to the cost of a compliant commercial EPC Display Energy Certificate (DEC)

At Syntegra Consulting we can mobilise our qualified commercial energy assessors to undertake an energy survey on any type of public building across the UK:

• In response to the EPBD; as of the 1st October, 2008 all public buildings (e.g. Hospital, community hall, school, government, or local authority building) visited by large numbers of the public, and over 1,000 metres squared, will require a DEC
• DEC‘s show the actual energy usage of a building, the Operation Rating, and help the public see the energy efficiency of the building. This is based on the energy consumption of the building as recorded by gas, electricity and other meters. The DEC should be clearly displayed at all times to the public
• A DEC is always accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building. The Advisory Report element is valid for 7 years
• DEC‘s are valid for a 12 month period and need to be updated annually

Non-compliance with DEC legislation will result in a penalty. The penalty is £500 for failure to display a DEC at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public and £1,000 for failure to have possession of a valid advisory report. This is in addition to the cost of a compliant DEC.

Display Energy Certificates (DEC)

Display Energy Certificates (DECs) show the actual energy usage of a building, its Operational Rating, and provide information to the public in relation to the energy efficiency of a building. The certificate must be displayed in a visible place at all times.

Operational Rating means a numeric indicator of the amount of energy consumed during the occupation of the building over a period of 12 months.

The Display Energy Certificate differs from its domestic/commercial EPC counterpart in that the DEC incorporates an Asset Rating and Operational Rating. As of December 2009 DECs are only issued for public buildings.

Asset Rating means a numerical indicator of the amount of energy estimated to meet the different needs associated with a standardised use of a building, calculated according to the methodology approved by the UK Secretary of State.

The DEC is valid for a period of 12 months (renewed per annum). The accompanying Advisory Report is valid for 7 years. The Advisory Report may specify recommendations to improve energy efficiency and reduce CO² emissions. The asset owner must retain possession of the report. Currently it is not mandatory to comply with the recommendations made in the Advisory Report. Failure to display The penalty is £500 for failing to display a DEC in a prominent place, clearly visible to the public, at all times and £1,000 for failing to have possession of a valid Advisory Report. A maximum fine of £5,000 may be imposed dependant on the nature of the breach of regulations. Which types of buildings are affected? Only buildings with a total useful floor area of 1,000m² that are occupied, or part occupied, either by public authorities and institutions providing public services to a large number of people are affected by this legislation.

Where a building is partly occupied by a public authority or a relevant institution, the authority or institution is responsible for displaying a DEC and having a valid Advisory Report.

Other private organisations occupying the building, irrespective of the size they occupy, do not need to display a DEC. Please refer to the relevant CLG DEC guides displayed on our Helpful Terms/Glossary page. Note: From December 2010 The European Commission is proposing to extend the scope of DECs by lowering the building size threshold and to include commercial buildings accessed by large numbers of the public from January 2011. Syntegra Consulting have a number of experienced and qualified DEC consultants that are able to offer our DEC services throughout the UK. For more information as to how we can assist as DEC consultants on your project please contact us.

Domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

At Syntegra Consulting we can mobilise our qualified domestic energy assessors to undertake EPC‘s on residential properties across the counties of Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Middlesex, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and London.

• In response to the EPBD; as of the 1st October, 2008 all domestic properties to let require a domestic EPC
• An EPC tells you how energy efficient your property is on a scale of A-G. The EPC will make recommendations about how a property’s energy efficiency can be improved, in addition to a potential rating if the recommended work is carried out. The average property is rated D or E
• An EPC is a mandatory element of the HIP, which is a legal requirement for the sale of all domestic properties
• If you hold a valid EPC you will not be required to obtain a new certificate every time you re-let a property
• Where improvements have been undertaken to a property, you may order a new EPC to reflect the new improved energy efficiency of the property
• Domestic EPC‘s are valid for a 10 year period, except where a property is being sold and a HIP is required

Non-compliance with domestic EPC legislation will result in a fine of £200. This is in addition to the cost of a compliant domestic EPC

Home Information Pack (HIP)

At Syntegra Consulting we are able to undertake HIP commissions for residential properties across the U.K.

Syntegra Consulting Ltd is a 100% fully compliant HIP provider under the Home Information Pack (No.2) Regulations 2007 and accepted by all Solicitors and Estate agents. Our HIPs are fully compliant with the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB).

Our searches are covered by a £2,000,000 insurance policy. In addition to this we have a £2,000,000 Professional Indemnity insurance Policy and a £5,000,000 Public Liability insurance policy.

• From 6th April, 2009 all homes must have a HIP in place – not just ordered 0 before it can be put on the market. Failure to comply is an offence. No adverts, sales boards, or flyers advertising the sale of the property is allowed until the HIP is available for inspection by the potential viewer
• A HIP comprises of the following sections:
  • Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) – Details of the property pre-sales information, including the home’s council tax band, parking arrangements, utilities, and structural alterations
  • Index - States whether a property is registered or unregistered, and shows a schedule of all documents currently included within the HIP
  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – This is produced by a certified domestic energy assessor using approved SBEM software to calculate and produce the EPC associated to the property
  • Sales Statement – Accurate and brief serviceDescription stating the name and capacity of the vendor(s), the tenure of the property (i.e. whether the property is freehold or leasehold) and whether the property is wholly or partly registered/unregistered of the estate that is being sold. For leasehold properties it will also state the leasehold period remaining
  • Evidence of Title – This will include, either for unregistered property an epitome of title, or for registered properties an official copy of both the Land Registry office plan(s) and entries. The details of the lease will be made visible here for leasehold properties
  • Searches – The local search(s) on the property relate to land search(s) and should be read by the vendor at their earliest possible convenience (e.g. planning conditions, water and drainage services etc)

Non-compliance with the HIP legislation will result in a fine of £200. This is in addition to the cost of a compliant HIP

New-build domestic SAP/EPC

At Syntegra Consulting we are able to undertake new-build domestic SAP assessments and provide Predicted Energy Assessments (PEA) and On Construction Energy Performance Certificates (OCEPC) throughout the U.K:

• In response to the EPBD; as of the 6th April, 2008 all new homes under construction require a PEA at design stage, and also an OCEPC at completion. A building completion certificate from building control cannot be issued without a new-build completion EPC (OCEPC) being issued
• SAP calculations are used mainly to determine carbon index and energy values for new-build homes and property by providing a PEA during the design stage to attain building control approval
• The need for OCEPC‘s is a requirement of the building regulations, and not the HIP regulations. The OCEPC can be used to form a part of a HIP if the property is to be marked for sale
• New-build SAP/EPC legislation states that an OCEPC are valid for 3 years