Report on the energy assessment of new and existing non-dwellings using Simplified Building Energy Model SBEM
This subtopic focuses on the production of Recommendations Reports for non-domestic buildings using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM), which forms a critical part of the energy assessment process. Learners develop the competence to generate clear, prioritised, and actionable energy efficiency advice that aligns with regulatory requirements and client objectives. The practical application lies in enabling energy assessors to deliver value-driven reports that inform decision-making for both new constructions and existing non-dwellings.
Assessment criteria
Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)
The City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Non-Domestic Energy Assessment covers the skills and knowledge required to assess the energy performance of non-domestic buildings, produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), and provide recommendations for improvement. It includes building physics, HVAC systems, lighting, and the use of approved software (e.g., SBEM) to generate compliance and rating outputs.
Topic Overview
The City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Non-Domestic Energy Assessment is a vocational qualification that equips learners with the skills to assess the energy performance of commercial and public buildings. It covers the legal framework, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and UK regulations, and the technical aspects of building services such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting. The qualification is essential for those wishing to become accredited Non-Domestic Energy Assessors (NDEAs) and produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for non-domestic properties.
The course emphasises practical application, including using approved software like SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) to calculate energy ratings. Learners must understand building physics, U-values, thermal bridging, and the impact of different building services on overall energy consumption. The qualification also covers the production of recommendations for improving energy efficiency, which are included in the EPC report. This is a regulated qualification, and successful completion allows individuals to join a government-approved accreditation scheme.
In the wider context of the Service Industries, this qualification supports the UK's carbon reduction targets by enabling professionals to identify inefficiencies and suggest improvements. It is a key part of the green economy, with growing demand for energy assessors as regulations tighten. The qualification also provides a foundation for further study in energy management, sustainability, and building services engineering.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and their legal requirements for non-domestic buildings.
- →The Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) and how it calculates energy ratings.
- →Building fabric elements: U-values, thermal bridging, air permeability, and their effect on heat loss.
- →HVAC systems: types, efficiencies, controls, and their contribution to energy consumption.
- →Renewable energy technologies and their potential to reduce CO2 emissions in non-domestic buildings.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Understand how to produce Recommendations Reports for non-dwellings using SBEM, Understand how to provide a clearly defined and robust hierarchy of energy efficiency measures for non-dwellings, Understand how to communicate the value of a Recommendations Report and how it can be used, Be able to produce Recommendations Reports for non-dwellings using SBEM, Be able to provide a clearly defined and robust hierarchy of energy efficiency measures for non-dwellings, Be able to communicate the value of a Recommendations Report and how it can be used
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for demonstrating the ability to produce a complete SBEM Recommendations Report that includes a clear introduction, building summary, recommendations table, and advice on implementation.
- Credit for presenting a hierarchy of energy efficiency measures that is logically structured and reflects technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and energy impact.
- Assessor expects evidence of correct interpretation of SBEM output data, with recommendations accurately derived from the building’s energy performance rating and end-use breakdown.
- Award marks for effectively communicating the value of the report by explaining potential energy savings, carbon reduction, and financial benefits to the client in plain language.
- Credit for including a robust justification for each measure’s position in the hierarchy, with consideration of interactions between measures and practical constraints.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡Familiarise yourself thoroughly with the SBEM software’s Recommendation module, practicing with diverse building types to understand how outputs vary.
- 💡Study the conventions for Recommendations Reports as outlined in CIBSE TM44 or equivalent industry guidance, ensuring your reports meet professional standards.
- 💡Adopt a structured approach: first identify all potential measures, evaluate them using SBEM simulations, then prioritise using a multi-criteria framework that includes cost, energy savings, and feasibility.
- 💡When communicating the value, use clear, non-technical language and provide tangible examples of benefits, such as projected annual energy cost savings and payback periods.
- 💡Always quote the relevant regulations (e.g., The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012) when discussing legal requirements.
- 💡When answering questions about SBEM, mention that it is a national calculation methodology and that the output is a CO2 emission rate (kgCO2/m²/year).
- 💡For calculation questions, show all working and include units in every step to gain method marks even if the final answer is wrong.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Confusing recommendations for improving energy performance with those for achieving compliance with building regulations; the focus should be on cost-effective enhancements beyond minimum standards.
- Failing to tailor recommendations to the specific building type, occupancy pattern, and existing systems, leading to generic advice that lacks relevance.
- Overlooking the interdependencies between measures, such as how improving the fabric affects heating system sizing, resulting in an illogical hierarchy.
- Presenting a list of measures without a robust prioritisation methodology; simply sorting by payback period without considering other factors like ease of implementation or capital cost.
- Misconception: An EPC is based on actual energy bills. Correction: An EPC is an asset rating based on the building's design and services, not actual usage.
- Misconception: All non-domestic buildings require an EPC. Correction: There are exemptions, such as places of worship, temporary buildings with a planned use of less than 2 years, and buildings with a floor area under 50 m².
- Misconception: The EPC rating is the same as the Display Energy Certificate (DEC) rating. Correction: DECs are operational ratings based on actual energy use, while EPCs are asset ratings.
Revision Plan
How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks
- 1Week 1: Focus on the legal framework and EPC requirements. Read the relevant sections of the syllabus and make notes on when an EPC is needed and the exemptions.
- 2Week 2: Study building physics, including U-values, thermal bridging, and air permeability. Practice calculating U-values for different wall constructions.
- 3Week 3: Learn about HVAC systems and lighting. Understand how different systems are modelled in SBEM and their typical efficiencies.
- 4Week 4: Get hands-on with SBEM software. Work through sample projects and understand how inputs affect the rating.
- 5Week 5: Practice past exam questions, especially calculations and scenario-based questions. Review the command words and mark schemes.
Exam Question Types
How this topic typically appears in the exam
- 📋Multiple-choice questions testing knowledge of regulations, definitions, and exemptions.
- 📋Short-answer questions requiring explanations of concepts like asset rating vs. operational rating.
- 📋Calculation questions involving energy demand, CO2 emissions, or U-values.
- 📋Scenario-based questions where you must identify the correct procedure for a given building type.
Command Word Expectations (CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE)
What examiners look for when using specific command words in this specification
Provide a brief, factual answer without explanation. For example, 'State the validity period of an EPC for a non-domestic building.' Answer: '10 years.'
Give a detailed account of why or how something happens. Include reasons and mechanisms. For example, 'Explain why an asset rating is used for an EPC.'
Show all working and provide the final answer with units. Marks are awarded for method and correct application of formulas.
How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)
Common mark loss traps and how to write 100% full-mark answers
Step-by-Step Worked Solutions
Detailed solution breakdown for typical exam problems
Question: A small office building has a floor area of 500 m², a gas boiler with an efficiency of 80%, and a lighting system that consumes 15 W/m². Calculate the annual CO2 emissions from heating if the building requires 100 kWh/m²/year for heating and the carbon factor for natural gas is 0.183 kgCO2/kWh. Show your working.
- 1.Step 1: Calculate the total annual heating energy demand: 500 m² × 100 kWh/m² = 50,000 kWh/year.
- 2.Step 2: Adjust for boiler efficiency: energy input = 50,000 / 0.80 = 62,500 kWh/year.
- 3.Step 3: Calculate CO2 emissions: 62,500 kWh × 0.183 kgCO2/kWh = 11,437.5 kgCO2/year.
- 4.Step 4: State the final answer with units.
Question: Explain the difference between asset rating and operational rating for a non-domestic building, and state which one is used for an EPC.
- 1.Step 1: Define asset rating: based on the building's fabric, services, and design, assuming standard occupancy and usage patterns.
- 2.Step 2: Define operational rating: based on actual energy consumption over a period, often used for Display Energy Certificates (DECs).
- 3.Step 3: State that the EPC uses the asset rating, calculated using SBEM or similar software.
- 4.Step 4: Conclude with the purpose: to compare buildings on a like-for-like basis.
Active Recall Memory Test
Test your memory before revealing the key facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE Report on the energy assessment of new and existing non-dwellings using Simplified Building Energy Model SBEM
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic understanding of building construction and services (e.g., from a Level 2 qualification or work experience).
- •Knowledge of units of energy (kWh, MJ) and carbon emissions (kgCO2).
- •Familiarity with the concept of energy efficiency and the purpose of building regulations.
Coursework AI Review
Paste your assignment brief and check your draft against its P/M/D criteria
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Understand how to produce Recommendations Reports for non-dwellings using SBEM, Understand how to provide a clearly defined and robust hierarchy of energy efficiency measures for non-dwellings, Understand how to communicate the value of a Recommendations Report and how it can be used, Be able to produce Recommendations Reports for non-dwellings using SBEM, Be able to provide a clearly defined and robust hierarchy of energy efficiency measures for non-dwellings, Be able to communicate the value of a Recommendations Report and how it can be used
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