We’re delighted to announce that one of our dedicated team members at JosTec has just achieved the prestigious Level 5 Non-Domestic Energy Assessor qualification! This is a significant milestone, not only for them personally but also for our company and for the services we can now offer to our valued clients. With this qualification, we are now fully equipped to conduct the most complex energy assessments for commercial buildings, ensuring that our clients receive detailed, accurate, and comprehensive energy performance evaluations.
Understanding Non-Domestic Energy Assessment Levels
For those unfamiliar with the terminology, commercial buildings in the UK are classified into three levels based on their complexity and the specific features they include. Level 3 and Level 4 buildings, which make up the majority of commercial structures, require standard assessment techniques. However, Level 5 buildings represent a unique and challenging category—they are typically high-tech and involve intricate building features and environmental controls.
The distinction between the levels primarily relates to the level of energy modelling required and the building’s design features. Achieving Level 5 certification means JosTec can now assess the most complex structures, enabling us to provide energy assessments for any commercial building, no matter how large or sophisticated. This certification is especially important for companies looking to understand and improve the energy performance of their buildings, meet regulatory requirements, and ultimately reduce their environmental impact.
What Makes a Building Level 5?
Level 5 buildings typically include advanced features that make them more energy-intensive and complex. The three main characteristics that distinguish Level 5 buildings are:
- Ventilation with Enhanced Thermal Coupling
This type of ventilation actively interacts with the building’s structure to regulate temperature, often utilising advanced heat exchange systems. It helps improve energy efficiency but requires precise modelling to understand its impact on energy consumption. - Automatic Blind Control
Buildings with automatic blind control systems can adjust window coverings throughout the day based on sunlight, temperature, and occupancy. This improves internal temperature control and reduces the need for artificial lighting, but it also adds a layer of complexity to the building’s energy assessment. - Atria/Atrium Design
Many Level 5 buildings feature atria, or large open spaces within the building, which allow for natural light to permeate multiple floors. While these designs create a visually appealing and energy-efficient environment, they require advanced modelling to account for the unique thermal and lighting dynamics they introduce.
These attributes make Level 5 buildings the most challenging to assess accurately. Standard methods used for Level 3 and 4 buildings aren’t adequate; instead, Level 5 assessments require sophisticated 3D building modelling software that can take all aspects of the building’s design into account.
How Does the Level 5 Qualification Benefit JosTec Clients?
This new qualification empowers JosTec to provide a new level of service to our clients, especially those with highly complex buildings or aspirations for greater energy efficiency. Here are some of the key benefits our clients can look forward to with our Level 5 assessment capabilities:
- Unmatched Accuracy
Traditional assessments typically utilise 12 data points, while Level 5 assessments employ 8,760 data points, capturing a much more detailed picture of the building’s energy performance across the entire year. With hourly data points, we can offer a much higher level of accuracy and a more complete understanding of how the building uses energy day to day and seasonally. - Detailed Renewable Energy Simulations
By assessing renewable energy systems with a finer resolution of 1° increments rather than the usual 45°, we can provide insights into optimising solar panels, heat pumps, and other renewable sources. This granular analysis can help maximise renewable energy output, allowing building managers to make informed decisions on renewable investments. - Enhanced Thermal Bridging Insights
Thermal bridging, where heat escapes from a building due to poor insulation in certain areas, can significantly impact energy efficiency. Our Level 5 qualification allows us to model thermal bridging with advanced software, helping clients identify and address these issues more effectively. - Inclusion of Internal Openings and Daylight Effects
Standard assessments may overlook the nuances of internal space and light movement, but our Level 5 capabilities allow us to factor in these elements, especially important in buildings with large open spaces, like atria. This makes for a more realistic and functional energy model. - Solar Shading and Reflection Accounting
External shading and reflections can affect the internal temperature and lighting in ways that are difficult to model accurately without advanced tools. Our new qualification allows us to take these variables into account, ensuring our clients receive an assessment that reflects real-world conditions as closely as possible. - Thermal Mass and Heat Transfer Between Zones
The ability to assess a building’s thermal mass and the heat transfer between different zones within the building is essential for creating an effective energy strategy. By factoring in these complexities, we can help our clients optimise their HVAC systems and minimise energy waste. - Potential for Improved EPC Ratings
With more detailed modelling, we can provide insights that could help improve a building’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. This is particularly valuable for clients concerned about meeting Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), which could impact the ability to let or sell commercial properties in the future.
Meeting Regulatory Standards and Building a Sustainable Future
With this new Level 5 certification, JosTec is now fully equipped to assist clients in meeting regulatory standards, including MEES, which set minimum efficiency requirements for commercial properties. Improving a building’s EPC rating can not only enhance its market value and appeal to prospective tenants but also contribute to corporate sustainability goals. For businesses seeking to align with environmental regulations and social responsibility standards, our Level 5 assessments provide a pathway to making meaningful improvements in energy use and efficiency.
Why Choose JosTec for Your Energy Assessment Needs?
At JosTec, we pride ourselves on being leaders in energy efficiency and innovation. By investing in our team’s continuous education and professional growth, we are better equipped to provide top-tier services to our clients. The Level 5 Non-Domestic Energy Assessor qualification is a testament to our commitment to excellence. It enhances our ability to serve as a trusted adviser and partner for all commercial properties, from simple to highly complex structures.
Our goal is to empower our clients with the knowledge and insights they need to make informed decisions about their buildings’ energy consumption. With our new Level 5 capabilities, we are now able to serve a wider range of clients and tackle more complex projects than ever before.
Ready to Take Your Building’s Energy Performance to the Next Level?
Whether you manage a Level 3, 4, or 5 building, JosTec is here to help you understand and improve its energy performance. Our team is ready to bring our new expertise and cutting-edge tools to assess your property with the highest degree of accuracy, ensuring you receive an in-depth analysis tailored to your building’s unique characteristics.
If you’re interested in learning more about how our Level 5 assessments can benefit your commercial property, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Together, we can create a sustainable, energy-efficient future for your building.
