Building Energy Efficient Homes
Glossary of Terms
A Comprehensive Glossary of Terms for Building Performance and Energy Efficiency
Welcome to our comprehensive glossary of terms, designed to provide you with a clear understanding of the key concepts and terminology related to our range of services.
Whether you’re new to the industry or simply looking to brush up on your knowledge, this glossary is a valuable resource to help you navigate the world of building performance and energy efficiency.
If you have any further questions please feel free to give us a call on 01621 493594, email on mail@beehomes.co.uk or send us a message through our website on WhatsApp.
PAS
Publicly Available Specification
PAS 2035 outlines the what, when and who of retrofit projects. PAS 2030 sets out the requirements for installing, commissioning and handover of Energy Efficiency Measures in domestic retrofit projects.
The PAS 2035 publication of the BSI Publicly Available Specification 2035 (PAS) is a crucial step in creating a robust framework for high-quality retrofit in the United Kingdom. It lays out a logical sequence for retrofit projects to follow, ensuring that a building and its occupants receive the retrofit measures most appropriate to them. PAS 2035 has the protection of the homeowner front and centre. Learn more by clicking here.
EEM
Energy Efficiency Measures
These are retrofit measures that seek to improve the performance of any existing building.
Measures affect building structural elements such as walls, floors, roofs, external doors and windows – known as fabric measures. Other changes could include heating, hot water, or energy supply – known as building service measures.
RMI
Repairs, Maintenance and Improvement
Normally a term used by Housing Associations or Local Authorities who have a large stock of homes (assets). Repairs and maintenance are the day to day operating costs of the assets and are incurred to “maintain” assets in their current state and value – also known as Cyclical Works. Improvements – as the word describes – enhance the asset in some way, for example, by extending its useful life, or increasing its value – also known as Major Works.
MCS
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
MCS is an industry-led quality assurance scheme, which demonstrates the quality and reliability of approved products and installation companies. Being MCS certified demonstrates to your customers that power generation installs, such as Solar PV, are installed to the industry-expected level of quality every time.
Thermal Bypass
The unintended transfer of heat across building elements, circumventing insulation or other thermal control layers.
In other words, in the UK, thermal bypass occurs when cold air penetrates to the warm side of the insulation layer, or warm air penetrates to the cold side, in any construction. It is caused mainly by wind and by convection within the building fabric. Studies have shown that gaps on the warm side of the insulation can increase the heat loss through the wall by 300% thus lower the actual U-value of that element.
Infiltration
The movement of outside air into the internal conditioned space of a building.
This leads to a decrease in temperature and increased heat loss.
Exfiltration
The escape of warm, conditioned air from inside a building to the outside, resulting in significant heat loss.
Building Element
The components of a building’s structure that contribute to its thermal performance.
Walls, floors and roofs.
U Value
A measure of thermal transmittance through a building element, indicating the rate of heat loss.
The lower the U Value the better the insulation properties – measured in W/m2K.