FAQs
What are PCDB and SAP Appendix Q?
The PCDB (Product Characteristics Database) and SAP Appendix Q support SAP by providing performance data for energy efficiency products to enable them to be modelled in SAP and so establish their energy saving.
For products or technologies already recognised in SAP performance data is held in the PCDB. Examples of such technologies are boilers and heat pumps. The PCDB database can be found here.
For new technologies the performance in the context of SAP needs to be determined. Once established, performance data is initially held in the Appendix Q database. Product performance data held in the SAP Appendix Q database will generally migrate to the PCDB when a new version of SAP/RdSAP is released. The SAP Appendix Q database can be found here.
BRE manages the PCDB and SAP Appendix Q under contract to DESNZ (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) with technical support from Kiwa and Gemserv.
The PCDB and SAP Appendix Q can also support the use of your product/technology in energy efficiency schemes such as ECO (Energy Company Obligation) as well as its adoption as an energy efficiency measure in the domestic retrofit standard PAS 2035.
There may be additional requirements beyond listing on the PCDB or recognition in SAP Appendix Q, so it is important to address these early on. Further guidance is provided by the Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) here.
What products/technologies are currently listed in the PCDB and SAP Appendix Q?
Current technologies recognised in SAP are:
- Boilers:
- Natural gas
- Solid fuel (including biomass)
- LPG
- Kerosene/heating oil
- Micro-CHP
- Electric heat pumps:
- Air source heat pumps
- Ground source heat pumps
- Exhaust air heat pumps
- Hybrid heat pumps (heat pump and boiler)
- Ventilation systems:
- Centralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV)
- Centralised Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)
- Centralised Mechanical Ventilation without Heat Recovery
- Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV)
- Semi-rigid ductwork
- Heating controls:
- Compensating boiler controls
- Time and temperature zone controls (TTZC)
- Waste-water heat recovery systems (WWHRS)
- Flue gas heat recovery systems (FGHRS)
- High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
- Community Heat Networks
Specific products listed on the PCDB can be searched for here.
Technologies recognised under SAP Appendix Q include a smart hot water cylinder and a smart subfloor airbrick. Their performance data and the process to integrate them into SAP can be found here.
Who uses the PCDB and SAP Appendix Q?
Suppliers and manufacturers of energy efficiency products use the PCDB and SAP Appendix Q to ensure their technologies are accurately modelled in SAP.
Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) and On Construction DEAs use the performance data in the databases when undertaking SAP assessments for the purposes of building regulation compliance (e.g. Part L in England and Wales) and to generate EPCs for existing dwellings.
The databases are also used by those specifying energy efficient products in dwellings.
Why should I get my products/technology listed on the PCDB or recognised through SAP Appendix Q?
PCDB listing and SAP Appendix Q recognition ensures your product performance is accurately recorded and delivers the appropriate saving.
Robust SAP assessments are important as they underpin compliance with building regulation requirements (e.g. Part L in England and Wales) and the generation of EPCs.
There is no requirement for it, but, if your product is not listed on the PCDB, then a SAP assessment may not give the full energy saving attributable to your product. Where a product is not listed, SAP will use default performance data for the relevant technology which are conservative. This could lead to poorer SAP/EPC ratings.
In respect of new technologies, clients such as house builders and housing associations may wish them to be recognised in SAP Appendix Q before adopting them.
As noted already, recognition in SAP Appendix Q can support the adoption of new technologies in ECO (Energy Company Obligation) and PAS 2035.
Will I be charged for getting my products/technology recognised and listed?
Initial meetings with BRE to discuss your product or technology and the associated process are free, but there is a charge to assess and list products on the PCDB and the SAP Appendix Q database.
The cost to list a product on the PCDB is fixed and depends on the specific product/technology.
The cost to take a new technology through SAP Appendix Q is highly dependent on the technology and the nature and extent of evidence required to demonstrate its performance. BRE will prepare a separate proposal for each stage of the recognition process.
If you require specific information, contact BRE at sapproductlisting@bre.co.uk for PCDB and sapq@bre.co.uk for SAP Appendix Q.
You may be able to secure funding to cover the cost of assessing and testing your product/technology through Innovate UK. Further detail can be found here.
How do I get my products listed on the PCDB?
The application process is slightly different for each technology. The application page can be found here.
For most technologies (i.e. gas, oil and LPG boilers, heat pumps, mechanical ventilation systems and heating controls) the application is online via the SAP PCDB Application Portal. For solid fuel boilers, micro-CHP and other technologies the completed application form and test data is sent to Kiwa (uk.pcdb@kiwa.com) or BRE (sapproductlisting@bre.co.uk)
As part of the application, you need to provide product performance data. This is generally obtained through laboratory testing using recognised international standards or procedures defined by BRE. Details for the testing required for each technology are given here.
BRE reviews the application form and test data and seeks clarification if required. New and revised products are uploaded to the PCDB at the end of each month and the energy assessment companies update their SAP software regularly to reflect this.
A flow chart summarising the process can be found here.
How do I get my technology recognised through SAP Appendix Q?
You need to complete an application form which can be found here. The completed form should be sent to sapq@bre.co.uk.
BRE undertakes an initial review of the form and has a preliminary meeting with you to discuss your technology. If the application proceeds, BRE undertakes a feasibility assessment to establish whether it can be recognised in SAP and whether SAP Appendix Q is the best route for recognition, as there may be an alternative approach. For example, where a technology is an enhancement of an existing technology or product, it may be possible to recognise it through a PCDB listing or in guidance for DEAs provided through SAP Conventions. This is still likely to require an assessment by BRE, but this should be quicker and more straightforward.
What evidence do I need to provide for SAP Appendix Q recognition?
If the technology is appropriate, BRE defines the evidence required to demonstrate performance in SAP which will take the form of modelling, laboratory testing and/or a field trial. Guidance on the decision logic for acceptance of new technologies and examples of the types of the evidence required for different types of technologies can be found here.
BRE works with you to obtain and assess the evidence and ultimately agrees an energy saving as well as the process to implement the technology in SAP. Evidence can be gathered by the applicant and/or a 3rd party with support from BRE.
How will my technology be implemented and listed in SAP?
Implementation of new technologies is approved by DESNZ with support from the SAP Scientific Integrity Group (SAPSIG).
Once approved, a calculation spreadsheet and DEA guidance is uploaded onto the site here.
A flow chart summarising the process and further guidance can be found here.
If you want your technology to be used on government energy efficiency schemes there may be additional requirements beyond recognition in SAP Appendix Q. It is recommended that these are identified as soon as possible. Any such requirements can potentially be addressed in parallel with the SAP Appendix Q process. Further guidance is provided by the Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) here.
How do I make contact if I have queries about PCDB or SAP Appendix Q?
For PCDB contact sapproductlisting@bregroup.com and for SAP Appendix Q contact sapq@bregroup.com.
I can't find a boiler (or other technology type) in the PCDB when searching for it, what should I do?
If a boiler, or any other Technology Type recognised by SAP, can't be found in the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB) then an application has not been submitted by the Manufacturer. In this case, SAP assessments should be undertaken using default values.
In the case of heat pumps, their certification under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) does not imply a PCDB entry will necessarily exist.
Enquiries regarding the progress of Manufacturer applications cannot be responded to. All such enquiries should be directed to the Manufacturer.
Why has the SAP score within my EPC reduced when I replaced my electric storage heaters with direct-electric panel heaters?
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) displays a rating of A to G (best to worst) based on the SAP score, which is a cost-based index (1-100). Electric storage heaters are able to use cheaper off-peak electricity and therefore cost less to heat a home. This means electric storage heaters provide a better EPC rating.
Where has the SAP Appendix Q website gone?
The SAP Appendix Q website (www.sap-appendixq.org.uk) has been superseded by the Building Energy Performance Assessment Support Website, which features all of the functionality* and data of the original website, plus a Product Characteristics Database viewing portal and hosting of Technical Support documention that supports SAP.
*Note: It is not possible to display Mechanical Ventilation product performance data in order to conduct comparisons.
Why was the SAP Appendix Q website replaced?
The SAP Appendix Q website (www.sap-appendixq.org.uk) design was outdated and limited to supporting the Appendix Q database and New Technology (Appendix Q) applications. The replacement Building Energy Performance Assessment Support Website supports all of the functions of the old Appendix Q and several more, including:
- An interface that enables the viewing of product data held on the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB)
- Application forms for products (existing technologies) to be listed in the PCDB
- Terms and Conditions that are applicable to manufacturers and suppliers that are seeking to list individual products within the PCDB and/or Appendix Q database
- A library of technical support documents (which were presented less clearly in the old Appendix Q website), including Principle Papers that clarify the treatment of technologies that are currently being considered for recognition in SAP or that have been rejected
What about the www.boilers.org.uk (www.sedbuk.com) website?
Resources contained within the Boiler Efficiency Database website www.boilers.org.uk have been relocated to the Building Energy Performance Assessment support website. SAP software can still download the PCDB files from the same location and these can be viewed at www.boilers.org.uk/download.
Your website has changed and I can no longer find a way to check if a particular heat pump is SAP Appendix Q approved. I’ve clicked on the “search appendix q database” link and it takes me to loads of spreadsheets. What happened to the online search tool?
SAP does not ‘approve’ products, please see the Terms and Conditions. Since SAP 2009, heat pumps have been recognised via the Product Characteristics Database (PCDB) – therefore, if you search in this location you will determine whether a heat pump has been recognised for SAP, with data available for SAP calculations.
For reference, the heat pump (if recognised) will also be listed within the Appendix Q spreadsheet for use with SAP 2005. This spreadsheet can be downloaded from the Appendix Q database page.
What has happened to SEDBUK (2005) efficiency bands (A to G)
In SAP 2009 (SEDBUK 2009) the efficiency scale, which consisted of 7 bands from A to G, was dropped in lieu of the European Union's Ecodesign regulation (811/2013) coming into force. This regulation introduces similar efficiency bands and came into force on 26th September 2015. For further details on SAP boiler efficiency calculations, see here, then review the "further information" section.
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