Improving Energy Efficiency in Timber Frame Homes
As part of Building Regulations (Approved Document Part L, 2013), all new homes in England and Wales must undergo an energy performance assessment using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). This process is carried out by a registered On-Construction Domestic Energy Assessor, who models the building’s thermal envelope to evaluate overall heat loss.
Energy loss is assessed in three key areas:
- Thermal Bridging Losses – Heat loss through structural junctions, such as external corners, wall-to-floor junctions, and roof interfaces. These are measured as linear thermal bridges.
- Party Wall Losses – Heat loss through shared walls between dwellings. These are categorised by build type rather than fabric build-up, and assessed using standard values.
- Thermal Perimeter Losses – Energy loss through external envelope elements measured by area—walls, floors, roofs, windows, and doors.
Understanding and reducing these losses is key to improving the overall efficiency and compliance of your building.
To explore how thermal bridging affects your building’s energy performance—and how Merronbrook’s detailing can help—download our guidance documents below.
