UK Glossary · Definition

What is RdSAP?

RdSAP (Reduced data Standard Assessment Procedure) is the UK government's methodology for assessing the energy efficiency of existing residential properties for Energy Performance Certificates. It uses simplified inputs gathered during a site survey rather than the full SAP calculation used for new builds.

Also known as: Reduced data SAP, Reduced data Standard Assessment Procedure

Definition

Full definition

RdSAP was introduced in 2005 to make EPC assessment of existing homes practical at scale. Full SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) requires detailed construction drawings, U-values for every fabric element, and full HVAC specifications — fine for new builds where the architect has all of this, impossible for assessing an existing 100-year-old terrace.

Instead, RdSAP infers building fabric properties from observable features: age-band of the property, type and number of external walls, glazing percentage, loft insulation depth, heating system, hot water system, secondary heating. The Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) gathers this data during a 30–60 minute site visit using a Government-accredited RdSAP software (e.g. NES RdSAP, Stroma RdSAP).

Floor plans with GIA per room are a required RdSAP input. The plan does not need to be construction-grade — but it must be measured accurately to ensure heat-loss surface areas are correct. EPC floor plans from VizCraft are formatted to the data structure RdSAP software expects.

Process

How it works

  1. DEA visits the property and records age, wall type, glazing %, loft insulation, heating system, hot water system.
  2. Floor plan with GIA per room provides the surface areas for heat-loss calculation.
  3. Inputs are entered into Government-accredited RdSAP software.
  4. Software calculates the SAP rating (1–100+ scale) and translates to the EPC A–G band.
  5. EPC is lodged on the UK EPC register and certificate issued.
UK Context

Why it matters for UK property professionals

  • All UK EPC assessments for existing residential properties use RdSAP — not full SAP.
  • Accurate floor plan + GIA inputs determine the SAP rating — bad floor plans produce wrong ratings.
  • For energy assessors, RdSAP-formatted floor plans speed assessment time.
Quick reference

Typical UK pricing & turnaround

Cost
EPC certificate (RdSAP assessment): £45–£120. RdSAP-ready floor plan: from £6.30 per plan with VizCraft.
Turnaround
6–12 hours for the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

RdSAP (Reduced data Standard Assessment Procedure) is the UK methodology for assessing the energy efficiency of existing residential properties for Energy Performance Certificates. It uses simplified inputs (building age, wall type, glazing %, heating system) gathered during a site survey, rather than the detailed construction-grade inputs required for full SAP on new builds.

SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) is the full UK building energy calculation used for new builds — it requires detailed construction drawings and U-values for every fabric element. RdSAP (Reduced data SAP) is the simplified version used for existing homes — the assessor infers fabric properties from observable features like building age, wall type, and glazing percentage.

Yes. RdSAP requires GIA per habitable room and a total property GIA as inputs to the heat-loss calculation. The floor plan does not need to be construction-grade but must be accurately measured. VizCraft's RdSAP-ready floor plans include GIA per room and start from £6.30 per plan.

RdSAP software takes the assessor's inputs (building fabric, glazing, heating, GIA per room) and runs the SAP energy calculation. The output is a SAP rating on a 1–100+ scale, which translates to the EPC A–G band: 92+ is A, 81–91 is B, 69–80 is C, 55–68 is D, 39–54 is E, 21–38 is F, 1–20 is G.

Need rdsap for a UK property?

VizCraft delivers this work for UK estate agents, photographers and developers — typically within 6–12 hours.