As well as providing
you with fully compliant HIPs, we can provide a comprehensive
service for the following:
By accessing all of these services from one supplier, you will
save a considerable amount of time and effort through dealing with
one point of contact, plus we offer highly competitive prices for
all of our testing and assessments. All of these benefits combine
to support our commitment in providing you with fantastic value for
money.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES (EPCs)
EPCs are a mandatory requirement for your HIPs. HipShop has a
team of assessors that can produce your EPCs (which are derived
from a SAP assessment) using your plans and specifications of the
build. Our assessors are fully qualified and are highly efficient
in producing EPCs.
What is an EPC?
The EPC provides a guide to the energy efficiency of the
property. It is similar to the energy efficiency rating seen on
white goods, such as fridges, or new cars. A more energy efficient
home will have lower fuel bills and CO2 emissions. The
EPC will give homebuyers a rating from A to G and will show a
home's energy efficiency and carbon emissions.
The EPC will highlight an approximate cost for heating, hot
water and lighting as well as advice on how to cut costs and
emissions and provide savings on energy bills.
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CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES
ASSESSMENT
It is mandatory to have a Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH)
rating certificate in your HIP, even if it is a zero rating.
However, if you are looking to achieve a higher rating, HipShop can
help.
What is the Code for Sustainable
Homes?
Our homes account for around 27% of the UK's carbon emissions, a
major cause of climate change. The Department for Communities and
Local Government laid the foundations for greener housing when it
launched the Code for Sustainable Homes in 2007. Since May 2008,
all new homes have been required to have a Code rating and for a
Code certificate to be included within the Home Information Pack
(HIP).
The minimum standards for compliance with the Code have been set
above the current requirements in the Building Regulations covering
the use of energy in the home and strategies to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions. This will enable it to become the platform for
future improvements to the Regulations.
Homes designed to meet the Code are more energy and water
efficient, produce fewer carbon emissions and are better for the
environment. Code rated homes also encourage their owners to
live a more sustainable lifestyle and are built in a more efficient
way, using materials from sustainable sources. This creates less
waste and means homes have lower running costs.
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SAP ASSESSMENTS
What is a SAP
assessment?
SAP assessments look at the energy efficiency and CO2 emission
rate of new dwellings. It is now a mandatory assessment put in
place to comply with Building Regulations (Part L). For
existing dwellings, an RdSAP fulfils the same function.
There are normally two stages in the process, the 'design' stage
and the 'as built' stage. The 'design' stage takes place before
building works begins and the 'as built' stage upon completion of
the dwelling. At or before completion you will be required to give
your Building Control inspector your SAP assessment results for
sign off. The SAP also forms the basis of the Energy Performance
Certificate (EPC) that goes into the Home Information Pack. There
is no need for us to visit your site for SAP assessments as we work
from plans and drawings. For an RdSAP, a site visit is necessary to
gather the relevant information from the property.
HipShop has a team of experienced SAP/RdSAP assessors dedicated to
supporting you. We work with a range of different clients, from
self-builders to national developers, offering an efficient and
friendly service. We also provide Code for Sustainable Homes
assessments, air pressure testing and acoustic testing.
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ACOUSTIC TESTING
What is Acoustic
Testing?
Acoustic testing involves a set of 'pre-completion' tests that
measure the acoustic performance of a development in compliance
with Building Regulations Part E. Amongst other things this
document sets out minimum standards for sound insulation to be
achieved by party wall and party floors. If you are not sure
whether you need acoustic testing, speak to your Building Control
officer who will advise you.
If you have been asked to carry out acoustic testing by Building
Control, HipShop can offer fully certified acoustic testing across
the UK. Our experienced and fully qualified acoustic testing
engineers (UKAS accredited) are happy to offer advice/consultancy
on the best ways to achieve a pass.
We work with a range of different clients, from self-builders to
national developers, offering an efficient and friendly service. We
can also provide SAP assessments, Code for Sustainable Homes
assessments and Air Pressure Testing.
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AIR PRESSURE TESTING
What is Air Pressure Testing?
Air pressure testing measures the air tightness of a property in
compliance with Building regulations Part L. Testing shows how well
properties will retain heat and in turn reduce carbon emissions,
making them more efficient and cheaper to maintain.
HipShop can offer fully certified pressure testing across the UK.
Our experienced and fully qualified air testing engineers undertake
testing in accordance with ATTMA TS1 standard. We are happy to
offer advice/consultancy on the best ways to gain your target
rating.
We work with a range of different clients, from self-builders to
national developers, offering an efficient and friendly service. We
can also provide SAP assessments, Code for Sustainable Homes
assessments and acoustic testing.
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