SBEM EPC Modelling – The Standard Approach for Most Commercial Buildings
SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) is the method used for most EPCs in the UK and is suitable for typical commercial building types, including:
- Retail units and shopping centres.
- High street premises and out-of-town stores.
- Offices and business centres.
- Warehouses and light industrial buildings.
- Leisure facilities, cafés and restaurants
For each EPC, the building is modelled carefully using information on:
- Construction and fabric
- Heating and cooling systems
- Hot water and ventilation
- Lighting
- Metering and controls
- Occupancy and operating patterns
Where better information is available—for example, updates to U-values, lighting designs or HVAC specifications—we include it, as this improves the accuracy of the rating and better reflects how the building performs in practice.
DSM EPC Modelling – Used Where More Detailed Analysis Is Needed
Some buildings benefit from Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM). DSM is used where the building has:
- Complex geometry
- Multiple HVAC systems or unusual zoning.
- Mixed-mode or sophisticated ventilation.
- Large areas of glazing.
DSM gives a more detailed, time-based picture of the building’s performance and is particularly useful for buildings where SBEM may oversimplify the design.
Some of the 3D models included show case studies where DSM allows enhanced detail.
What the 3D Models Show
The models shown on this page are taken directly from our assessment workflow. They typically illustrate:
- The building’s geometry and internal layout.
- Zones used in SBEM or DSM.
- HVAC strategy and system allocation.
- Lighting areas and sensor layouts.
- Ventilation approaches.
- Areas where improvements or changes have been assessed.
They are not conceptual or decorative—the images represent the actual building models used in the EPC software.
Where appropriate, we also compare scenarios to show the impact of potential improvements.
Most of the buildings we assess are occupied daily by tenants, staff and customers.
Accurate information leads to a more reliable EPC, and ultimately gives building owners a better understanding of energy performance, future investment needs and compliance risks.
Working Across Scotland and the UK
We routinely produce EPCs for landlords, surveyors, property managers and investors, from small single units to large multi-site portfolios
