We are committed to developing sustainable design solutions for the built environment and have considerable experience in the implementation of sustainable engineering services and low & zero carbon technologies for a wide range of buildings. Our focus is on producing designs that minimise both environmental impact and energy use, without impacting upon the health, wellbeing and comfort of building users or the functionality of each space. Developing sustainable designs requires detailed building analysis through the use of dedicated thermal modelling software and our building service engineers and low carbon consultants utilise the IES Virtual Environment to establish overall building energy performance via dynamic simulation methods.

A thermal model is created from the proposed architectural plans, elevations and sections, incorporating detailed construction information such as plant efficiencies, window openings and U values related to the building envelope. To enable an accurate thermal simulation to be produced, historical weather data and information related to building occupancy and usage are input by our engineers. Details of proposed heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting strategies are also included before the simulation is run and results are obtained. Simulation modelling enables our engineers to assess all aspects of thermal performance, energy consumption and carbon emissions by analysing how building services interface with one another. Our approach also enables alternative studies of natural ventilation, comfort analysis, solar shading and daylighting factors to be undertaken when required.

IES Virtual Environment software helps to assess building CO 2 emissions and inform measures to maintain compliance with current UK Building Regulations (Section 6 or Part L). Once target emission levels are established, the thermal model can be modified to include energy-saving measures/renewable technologies to help further reduce CO 2 levels and improve the building’s energy rating, evidenced by Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and Display Energy Certificates (DEC).