Latest News & Industry Updates

The landscape of UK energy assessment has officially shifted. As of June 15, 2025, the ageing RdSAP 9.94 was retired, making RdSAP 10 the mandatory methodology for all domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). This isn't just a software patch; it is a fundamental change in how we measure the efficiency of your home.

Why the change?

The previous system relied heavily on "defaults." If an assessor didn't have exact data, the software guessed based on the building's age. In 2026, those guesses are no longer acceptable. RdSAP 10 is designed to reflect the reality of modern green technology, such as battery storage and heat pumps, which were poorly handled in the past.

The 5 Biggest Changes You Need to Know

• 1. Mandatory Window Measurements: In the old days, we only measured "atypical" windows. Now, every single window in the property must be measured individually. We also record the frame type, orientation, and even whether you have permanent shutters.
  
  Impact: This gives a much more precise calculation of heat loss but adds about 20–30 minutes to the on-site assessment time.
• 2. Better Recognition of Renewables: RdSAP 10 finally gives proper credit to homeowners who have invested in the future. The software now recognizes:
  - Solar PV with Battery Storage: Capturing how much energy you save by storing it.
  - PV Diverters: Which use excess solar power to heat your hot water.
  - Heat Pump Recommendations: The software is now smarter at recommending heat pumps for well-insulated homes.
• 3. Refined "Room in Roof" Categories: Assessing loft conversions has always been tricky. RdSAP 10 introduces a distinction between a "True Room in Roof" and rooms with "Common Walls." This eliminates the "one-size-fits-all" penalty that often unfairly lowered the scores of high-quality loft extensions.
• 4. The "Evidence Hierarchy": This is the most critical change for landlords. If an assessor cannot physically see an improvement (like underfloor insulation) and you cannot provide documentary evidence, the software will default to a poor rating.
  
  KhamoCert Tip: Have your boiler service records, insulation warranties, and window FENSA certificates ready before our assessor arrives.
• 5. Air Pressure Test Integration: For the first time, if you have had a professional "Blower Door" test, we can enter the actual results into the EPC. Proving your home is airtight can often jump your score from a 'D' to a 'C' without any physical renovations.

What happens to your existing EPC?

Your current EPC remains valid until its expiry date. However, if you are planning to sell or rent your property, or if you have made significant upgrades, a new RdSAP 10 assessment is the only way to accurately reflect your home's true value in the 2026 market.

Ready to book your RdSAP 10 Assessment? KhamoCert is currently providing 24-hour turnaround on all RdSAP 10 lodgments across Belfast, Manchester, and London.

As of March 2026, the UK government has confirmed that SAP 10.3 will serve as the interim compliance methodology for the Future Homes Standard (FHS). While the industry has been preparing for the more complex Home Energy Model (HEM), a strategic delay in HEM's rollout means that SAP 10.3 is currently the only approved route for demonstrating Part L 2026 compliance.

What makes SAP 10.3 different?

Unlike previous versions, 10.3 introduces a "Future Homes Standard wrapper." It uses forward-looking carbon factors (0.086 kgCO₂/kWh for electricity) and places a massive emphasis on on-site renewable generation. For most new dwellings, this typically requires solar PV coverage equivalent to at least 40% of the ground floor area.

At KhamoCert, we use SAP 10.3 to help developers avoid "compliance shock." By modeling your designs now, we can identify whether your standard house types require fabric adjustments or advanced heat pump configurations before you break ground.

Key Compliance Check: If you are building a Higher-Risk Building (HRB) over 18 meters, the transitional arrangements are stricter. Contact our Manchester office for a specific HRB impact assessment.

Building Regulations Part O is now the most significant hurdle for urban residential developments. It is no longer enough for a building to be "warm in winter"; it must now prove it won't "overheat in summer" without relying on energy-intensive air conditioning.

The KhamoCert Approach to the Part O Hierarchy:

• Solar Gain Reduction: We analyze glazing orientation. South and West-facing glass are the biggest risks. We often recommend external shading—like brise-soleil or shutters—which intercept heat before it enters the glass.
• Excess Heat Removal: We model "Purge Ventilation" and cross-ventilation. For single-aspect flats (common in London and Belfast), this is where most designs fail.
• Dynamic Thermal Modeling (DTM): While the "Simplified Method" is fast, it is often too punitive. KhamoCert uses DTM to justify larger glazed areas by proving that high-performance G-value glass and thermal mass (concrete/masonry) can reset the building's temperature overnight.

Warning: If your development is in a "High-Risk Location" (noise or pollution prevents opening windows), Part O compliance becomes significantly harder. Our Level 5 assessors specialize in these complex urban environments.

In the commercial sector, the difference between a 'C' and a 'B' rating often comes down to the math, not just the building.

Level 4 (SBEM): The Standard Path

Most offices and retail units use the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM). It calculates energy based on monthly averages. It is cost-effective and perfect for buildings with standard air conditioning and predictable geometry.

Level 5 (DSM): The Expert Path

For complex buildings—think airports, hospitals, or modern offices with large central atria—SBEM is simply too basic. It cannot "see" how heat moves between floors or how automatic solar tracking blinds actually work.

Dynamic Simulation Modeling (DSM) Level 5 assessments use hourly weather data and 3D thermal simulations.

Why choose Level 5?

• It provides a more accurate (and often higher) EPC rating.
• It accounts for complex natural ventilation and "night cooling" strategies.
• Knight Frank reports that properties with top-tier EPCs can command rental premiums of up to 6%.

KhamoCert has one of the few teams in the UK qualified to lodge both Level 4 and Level 5 non-domestic certificates simultaneously.

As we reach the midpoint of 2026, the "soft touch" era of energy regulation has ended. Local authorities across the UK, particularly in major hubs like London and Manchester, are now actively using the National EPC Register to issue financial penalties to landlords.

Under current MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards), letting a commercial or domestic property with an EPC rating below 'E' can trigger fines of up to £150,000 per property.

However, the real story for 2026 is the "C-Rating Roadmap." With the government confirmed to raise the minimum standard to 'C' for all tenancies by 2030, smart investors are using 2026 to audit their portfolios. KhamoCert provides "MEES Risk Reports" that don't just give you a grade, but provide a costed 4-year roadmap to ensure your assets remain bankable and let-able.

The 2025-2028 delivery window for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (Wave 3) is now in full swing. This fund is specifically designed to lift social housing stock up to an EPC 'C' rating through a "Fabric First" approach.

For housing associations and local authorities, the challenge in 2026 isn't just winning the funding—it’s the PAS 2035 compliance required to spend it. Every project must be overseen by a qualified Retrofit Coordinator.

At KhamoCert, we bridge the gap between initial EPC assessments and full Retrofit Coordination. Whether it's large-scale Solar PV rollouts (which currently make up 42% of Wave 3 installs) or complex external wall insulation projects, our team ensures that every measure is lodged correctly in the TrustMark Data Warehouse, securing your funding and protecting your residents from fuel poverty.