UK building energy calculation software approval scheme

As part of the UK government Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) initiative, the requirement of Asset and Operational Ratings for buildings since 2008 meant that software packages have recently been made available commercially to carry out calculations and produce the relevant documents. Prior to 2005, these software packages were unregulated and consequently the calculation and output were not standardised. It is now a requirement for these software packages to be validated and approved as fit for commercial use under the UK Building Energy Software Calculation Approval Scheme (UK BECSAS in short). This paper introduces the scheme, giving brief description of the processes involved and the implications of UK BECSAS to software vendors, stakeholders and to the implementation of the EPBD in the UK. It also highlights the issues in software that further necessitate software compliance and standardisation.