Skip to main content
0

Your Questions GBC Answers C#344

GBC > Q&A > C#344

Your Questions

GBC Answers

Lathams GRC CPD Q&A

Q1 Have you got a case study project by any chance? A1 The Interreg Energy Pathfinder project will provide 6 case studies when this is complete and available to share
Q2 It would be helpful to know: A2
Q2.1 what data was used in what spreadsheet A2.1 See Extracts

 

GBC V2.3 %%% DATA Sources © GBC Green Building Calculator 2011-2023 Included Deployed Deployed
Information Type Source Reference(s) ISBN Other URL if any Worksheet Worksheet Custom View
Form Factors AECB CPD Form Factor: Form Factor:
Form Factors AECB Information Form Factor: Form Factor:
U Values etc. Regulations
U values Etc. Building Regulations England & Wales BR AD L1A Planning Portal U Values Etc.: Regulations Insulation & Elements
U values Etc. Building Regulations England & Wales BR AD L1B Planning Portal U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Building Regulations England & Wales BR AD L2A Planning Portal U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Building Regulations England & Wales BR AD L2B Planning Portal U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Future Homes Standard Table 6._ Column _ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/956037/Future_Buildings_Standard_consultation_document.pdf U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Future Homes Standard Table 6.1 Column _ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/956037/Future_Buildings_Standard_consultation_document.pdf U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Future Homes Standard Table 6.2 Column 4 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/956037/Future_Buildings_Standard_consultation_document.pdf U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Future Homes Standard Table 6.2 Column 5 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/956037/Future_Buildings_Standard_consultation_document.pdf U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Future Building Standard Table 3.2 Column _ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/956037/Future_Buildings_Standard_consultation_document.pdf U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Future Building Standard Table 3.3 Column _ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/956037/Future_Buildings_Standard_consultation_document.pdf U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Scotland Domestic New Technical Standards 6.2.6.3 U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Scotland Domestic Refurb Technical Standards 6.2.6.3 U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Scotland Non-Domestic New Technical Standards 6.2.6.3 U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Scotland Non-Domestic Retrofit Technical Standards 6.2.6.3 U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Wales Domestic New BR AD L1A Planning Portal U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Wales Domestic Retrofit BR AD L1A Planning Portal U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Wales Non-Domestic New BR AD L1A Planning Portal U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Wales Non-Domestic Retrofit BR AD L1A Planning Portal U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Wales TAN6 OPD TAN6 + PPW1 U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. NI Domestic New Part L 20 2017 U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. NI Domestic Retrofit Pending U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. NI Non-Domestic New Part L 20 2017 U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. NI Non-Domestic Retrofit Part L 20 2017 U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. NI All Net Zero Energy Buildings U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. Other National Regulations Project team to complete Planning Portal U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. FEES SAP U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. FEES Passivhaus U Values Etc.: Regulations
U values Etc. PAS 2035 U Values Etc.: Regulations
U Values etc. Design Standard
U values Etc. LETI London Energy Transition Initiative LETI Domestic New U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. LETI London Energy Transition Initiative LETI Domestic Retrofit U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. LETI London Energy Transition Initiative LETI Non-Domestic New U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. LETI London Energy Transition Initiative LETI Non-Domestic Retrofit U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. AECB AECB Silver AECB Website U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. AECB AECB Gold AECB Website U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. AECB AECB Platinum AECB Website U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. AECB AECB Carbon Lite AECB Website U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. AECB AECB Carbon Lite Retrofit AECB Website U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. Passivhaus Passivhaus New https://database.passivehouse.com/de/components/ U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. Passivhaus Passivhaus EnerPHit Retrofit https://database.passivehouse.com/de/components/ U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. Minergie Pending U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. Minergie Eco Pending U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. ZCH Zero Carbon Hub U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U Values etc. TBH The Building Hub Designer’s handbook Page 6 U Values Etc.: Design Standards
Energy consumption Embodied Carbon RIBA RIBA 2030 Carbon Challenge U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. National GBC Green Building Council Project team to complete U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values G values Airtightness Etc. Transport for London U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. BREEAM U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. Code for Sustainable Homes U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Etc. EcoHomes U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Historic Building Fabric Historic England & others Pending many Research papers U Values Etc.: Design Standards
U values Historic Building Fabric Historic England Caledonian University https://historicengland.org.uk/research/results/reports/7272/ResearchintotheThermalPerformanceofTraditionalWindows_Timbersashwindows LookUpTables DropDownList DDL LUT
Resistances BS EN ISO 6946 Resistances: Elements U Values Etc.:
Insulation Values UPStraw, CobBauge Insulation Elements U Values Etc.:
Decrement Values
EEECSCDataSets Bath Uni BSRIA ICE 1.1, 1.6, 3.0 https://circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-footprint-database.html EE EC SC datasets Elements EEECSC
Embodied Energy Embodied Carbon Bath Uni BSRIA ICE 1.1, 1.6, 3.0 https://circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-footprint-database.html EE EC SC datasets Elements EEECSC
LCA Datasets Bath Uni BSRIA ICE 1.1, 1.6, 3.0 https://circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-footprint-database.html EE EC SC datasets Elements EEECSC
LCA Datasets Elements Elements
LCA Datasets EPD via Renuables
Design Life BLP or BRE HAPM Spon CLM Component Life Manual Secondary Element Upgrades Secondary Element Upgrades
Component Life BLP or BRE HAPM Spon CLM Component Life Manual Secondary Element Upgrades Secondary Element Upgrades
Maintenance Cycles BLP or BRE HAPM Spon CLM Component Life Manual Secondary Element Upgrades Secondary Element Upgrades
Failure Modes BLP or BRE HAPM Spon CLM Component Life Manual Secondary Element Upgrades Secondary Element Upgrades
Secondary Element Upgrades Secondary Element Upgrades Secondary Element Upgrades
Secondary Element Costs Secondary Element Upgrades Secondary Element Upgrades
Trades GBC CAWS+ Elements Elements
Landscape GBC CAWS+ Elements Elements
MEPServicesSystems GBC CAWS+ Elements Elements
Civils+Infrastructure GBC CAWS+ Elements Elements
Resistances GBC CAWS+ Resistances: Elements
Conductivities Many (See Source Column) Conductivities:
Conductivities Many (See Source Column)
Material Data Suppliers Materials
Materials Properties BS EN 13353 Resistances: Elements U Values
Materials Properties BS EN ISO 6946 Resistances: Elements U Values
Materials Properties CIBSE CIBSE Guide A 2006 or 2007? Insulation Insulation
Materials Properties EDPB Book to Excel for Uni calculator Resistances: Elements U Values
Materials Properties EDPB Issue 1 Book to Excel for Uni calculator Insulation Insulation
Materials Properties FCBSCCE Resistances: Elements U Values
Materials Properties GreenSpec website to Excel Insulation Insulation
Materials Properties IBO New Build Book to Excel for Uni Insulation Insulation
Materials Properties IBO Book Retrofit Book
Materials Properties IBO Passivhaus Book New Build Book 1st edition Resistances: Elements U Values
Materials Properties PHPP 2004 Resistances: Elements U Values
Materials Properties PHPP 2004+TRADA Resistances: Elements U Values
Materials Properties TRADA Resistances: Elements U Values
Materials Properties BS 5250:2021 Annex B 1:01:24 to 1:02:46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhkdktA_GhM Conductivity Elements Conductivity
Product Data Manufacturers Products:
Product Properties Manufacturer Resistances: Elements U Values
Product Data Manufacturer Products:
Product Data Manufacturer Products:
Product Data Manufacturer Products:
Product Data Manufacturer Products:
Product Data Suppliers Products:
Product Properties Ecological Building Systems Resistances: Elements U Values
Product Data Products:
Product Data Products:
Product Data Projects and others sources Products:
Product Properties CAPEM Resistances: Elements U Values
Products + Material Properties Supplier Resistances: Elements U Values
Transport & Fuel TE Transport England BM+TE v2_1
Fuel Carbon Factors Gov.uk Fuel Data FuelCarbonFactor: UToWattsToCO2:
Fuel Costs TGR & AECB CPD Various FuelCarbonFactor: UToWattsToCO2:
Materials Properties
BS EN ISO 6946
Transport Data Gov.uk Transport Dataset Local
Conversion Factors Gov.uk Conversion Factors
Elemental Assemblies GreenSpecStudio Readymade Element Elements
Elemental Assemblies New Build IBO Book New Build Book via GreenSpecStudio Readymade Element Elements
Elemental Assemblies Refurbishment IBO Book Retrofit Book Pending Readymade Pending Elements
Elemental Cost Classification RICS SFCA 4th Edition ISBN 978 1 907196 29 4 https://www.rics.org/globalassets/rics-website/media/products/data-products/bcis-construction/bcis-elemental-standard-form-cost-analysis-4th-nrm-edition-2012.pdf Drop Down List: Elements Detailed (Elemental)
Cost Analysis
GIFA RICS SFCA 4th Edition ISBN 978 1 907196 29 4 https://www.rics.org/globalassets/rics-website/media/products/data-products/bcis-construction/bcis-elemental-standard-form-cost-analysis-4th-nrm-edition-2012.pdf emailed BCIS 11/03/2021
Pending
BSI BS EN 15978
LCA Datasets CEN BS EN 15804:2012 LCA Datasets
Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment. RICS
How to calculate embodied carbon IStructE’s
SCORS Institution’s Climate Emergency Task Group
Targets LETI
2030 Carbon Challenge RIBA
Generic Glazing U values Zero Energy Retrofit 2016 https://lnkd.in/evxkhCh Secondary Elements Costs Secondary Elements Costs Secondary Elements Costs
GRC V1 %%% © GRC Green Retrofit Calculator 2011-2023 Included Deployed Deployed
Information Type Source Reference(s) ISBN Other URL if any Worksheet Worksheet Custom View
Model House Types and datasets English House Condition Survey 8 Eras 7 House formats https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/english-housing-survey B2 House Types

(30 No.)

B2 Survey
Model House Types and datasets Scottish house condition survey   B2 House Types

(30 No.)

B2 Survey
Risk Factors STBA created by Peter Draper   B2 Risk Factors B2 Survey
Risk Assessment Statements STBA created by Peter Draper   B2 Risk Factors B2 Survey

 

B2 Tablet site survey © STBA 2021-2023 developed by GBC and STBA
Site survey
Concatenated Look Up Table Reference Scottish Islands:Pre 1919:TerracedCafe
Survey Plot, House or Flat No.
Core Data Source Choose
Construction Era Choose
Site Location Postcode KW17 2BG
Site Location City Café, North-West block, Dennis Ness, Orkney, North Ronaldsay
Existing Wall Material Choose
Existing Wall Format Choose
Existing Wall Thickness (mm) Choose
Existing Internal finish Choose
Previous External Wall Insulation Position None
Previous External Wall Insulation Material None
Previous External Wall Insulation Thickness 0
Habitable rooms Choose
Bathrooms Choose
BuildingFormat Choose
Total Floor Area 100.72
Number of Stories in house Choose
Area of ground floor #VALUE!
Ground floor construction Choose
Ground floor insulation position Choose
Ground Floor Insulation material None
Ground Floor Insulation thickness 0
Area of Roof #VALUE!
Existing Roof Pitch Choose
Previous Roof Insulation Position Choose
Previous Roof Insulation material None
Previous Roof Insulation thickness 0
House width 13.7
House Depth #VALUE!
HLP Heat Loss Perimeter per floor #VALUE!
Floor to ceiling height 2.74
Storey (Floor to Floor) Height 2.74
Architypes Choose
Area of external walls minus openings -14.17
Party wall thickness Choose
Party Wall Format Choose
Party wall length 0
Area of Party Walls 0
Previous Party Wall Insulation Position None
Previous Party Wall Insulation material None
Previous Party Wall Insulation thickness 0
No. of existing doors 3
Average size of Existing Doors 2.25
Existing Door Insulated or uninsulated Choose
Existing Door U value 4.5
No. of existing windows 7
Average size of existing windows 1.06
Area of existing Windows & Doors 14.17
Existing Window Glazing Choose
Existing Window U Value 5.5
Roof Pitch above horizontal 0
Volume of house interior 551.9456
Existing Fuel Choose
Existing Heat Source Appliance Choose
Existing Thermostat Room Thermostat
Exiting Radiators Radiators
(no TRVs)
Exiting Controller Programmer
Exiting Heating Efficiency 1
Water heating Choose
Lighting Luminaires 14
Luminaire Watts 8
Light on hours average 8
Lighting demand 896
Party Walls 1
Party Floors 0
Previous External Wall Insulation Finish None
Previous Ground Floor materials Suspended timber
Previous Ground Floor Finish Carpet
Previous Ground Floor Slab or Joist Depth 150
Party Wall Material Choose
Roof Rafter/Joist depth 300
Roof Covering Built up roofing bituminous felt
Roof Structure Material Insitu concrete
Proposed Window Improvements Choose
Proposed Windows   U value 1.6
Proposed Door Energy Replacments Choose
Proposed Door U value 1.6
Party Floor thickness 0
Party Floor Format None
Party Floor Material None
Party Floor Finish None
Area of Party Floors 0
Number of party Floors 0
Previous Party Floor Insulation Position None
Previous Party Floor Insulation material None
Previous Party Floor Insulation thickness 0
Country or Islands Choose
Previous Party Wall internal finish Choose
Previous Party Wall internal finish Choose
Plan Shape 0
Room in Roof
wall height at eaves side
0
Eaves wall lengths 0
Room in roof eaves wall area #VALUE!
Gable wall lengths
Roof in roof flat ceiling width between tops of slopes #VALUE!
Gable wall area Rectangle
Plan Shape
External corners
Internal corners 0
Number of gable walls
Height of gable wall above top floor Solid Roof
Exiting Roof Construction
Proposed roof insulation Position
Proposed roof insulation Material
Proposed roof insulation Thickness

 

B2 STBA Retrofit Survey Form © STBA 2021-2022 developed by GBC and STBA
Options Appraisal Data Imput
Context
Input into decision making choices/data will include:
Appraisal Options
Cost saving: Yes < Drop Down List
Carbon Saving: Yes < Drop Down List
Indoor Air Quality: Yes < Drop Down List
Surface or Interstitial Condensation and Mould: Yes < Drop Down List
Overheating: No < Drop Down List
Health & Wellbeing: Yes IF
Electrical efficieny No < Drop Down List
Client/Designer Aspiration
Experimental or Innovative No < Drop Down List
Sourcing: Made in Scotland < Drop Down List
Normal or Research Evidence Normal < Drop Down List
Scope Choose one at a time or many together
Basement: No < Drop Down List
Ground floor: No =
External Wall: Yes =
Party Floor: (above, below or both) Yes =
Party Wall: Yes =
Roof: Yes =
Windows: Yes =
Doors: Yes =
Services: No < Drop Down List
Heating: No < Drop Down List
Ventilation: No < Drop Down List
Lighting: No < Drop Down List
Hot water: No < Drop Down List
Electiric vehicle: No < Drop Down List
Risk factors See below for each element’s own risk analysis
Context: Step 1
Project Address: Flat 4, Bayview, Pierowall, Westray, Orkney VLOOKUP
Location: Country Scottish Islands < Drop Down List
Wind Driven Rain Index: 4 Very Severe 100 or more 4
Structure: Moisture open or closed: Open IF
Construction Era: Pre 1919 < Drop Down List
Protected Building? No < Drop Down List
Risk Status: Minor Concern < Drop Down List
* Building Format: VillaTopFlat < Drop Down List
Building Type Look Up Code: Scottish Islands:Pre 1919:VillaTopFlat CONCATENATE
Building Fabric Condition: Poor < Drop Down List
Thermal Specification: EW&S STBA Traditional Building Conservation Retrofit < Drop Down List
B2 Uvalue Etc column: DO =
Standardised dwelling database Dwelling Total Floor Area: 43.1457 VLOOKUP
Standardised dwelling database Assumed Areas or actual: Assumed < Drop Down List
Outside winter average temperature: 0 Degrees C
Below Ground floor temperature: 17 IF
Lifestyle temperature Choice: Jumper wearers < Drop Down List
Temperature Choice: 17 VLOOKUP
Assumed   lifestyle choice for parties beyond party walls/floors Jumper wearers < Drop Down List
Other parties temperature choice: 17 VLOOKUP
Building Elements Step 2
Ground or Lower Floor No =
Ground Floor Construction Format: Over heated space VLOOKUP
Existing Floor Thickness: 150 mm
Existing Floor Material: Suspended timber VLOOKUP
Existing Floor Finish: Carpet VLOOKUP
Previous Ground Floor Insulation Material: None VLOOKUP
Previous Ground Floor Insulation Position: None VLOOKUP
Previous Ground floor Insulation Thickness: 0 mm
Previous Ground floor Insulation Finish: Carpet VLOOKUP
Standardised dwelling database Assumed Ground Floor Area: 43.1457 m2
Actual Ground Floor Area: 72.13 m2
Assumed or Actual Ground Floor area?: Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation Ground Floor Area: 43.1457 m2
Project Target U value: Floor Refurbishment 0.15 W/m2.K
Previous Intervention Calculated U value: Floor Refurbishment 0.000 W/m2.K
Proposed New Insulation Position: Below slab IF
Proposed New Insulation Material: Phenolic Foam IF
Proposed New Insulation Thickness: 100 mm
Proposed New Insulation Finish: None < Drop Down List
Proposed intervention Calculated U value: 0.000 W/m2.K
Proposed intervention cost: #REF! No Cost datasets
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Energy: 547 MJ
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Carbon: 0 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Sequestered Carbon: 0.00 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Total Carbon: 0.00 kg CO2
Short fall or exceeeded U value: 0.00 W/m2.K
Pass or fail: 0.00 Pass or Fail
In Use Heat loss: 0.00 W
In use Carbon Dioxide: 0.000 kg CO2/kWh
Build: Traditional Builds TB
Element: Floor F
Element Format: Suspended Floor SuF
Insulation Position: Below Floor Structure BFS
Structure Moisture Permeability: Structure Moisture Open SMO
Insulation Permeability: Insulation Moisture Closed IMC
Building fabric condition: Poor P
Wind Driven Rain Index: 4 Very Severe 100 or more 4
Risk Level: ? VLOOKUP
Risk factor: Look Up Code: TB:F:SuF:BFS:SMO:IMC:P:4 Concatenate
Risk Statement: Ground floor: No moisture risk assessment currently available VLOOKUP
External Wall Yes =
External Wall Materials/Format Solid Masonry VLOOKUP
Existing External Wall Thickness: 800 mm
Existing External Wall Material: Sandstone VLOOKUP
Existing Internal finish: Gypsum plasterboard VLOOKUP
Previous External Wall Insulation Material: Phenolic foam VLOOKUP
Previous External Wall Insulation Position: Wall Stud Zone VLOOKUP
Previous External Wall Insulation Thickness: 120 mm
Previous External Wall Insulation Finish: None VLOOKUP
Standardised dwelling database Assumed Wall Area: 98.09 m2
Actual Wall Area: 98.09 m2
Assumed or Actual Wall area? Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation External Wall Area: 98.09 m2
Project Target U Value External Wall: 0.17 W/m2.K
Calculated Previous Intervention U value: 0.25 W/m2.K
Proposed New Insulation Position: Inner face IF
Proposed New Insulation Material: Phenolic Foam IF
Proposed New Insulation Thickness: 120 mm
Proposed New Insulation Finish: Perlite Lime Mix < Drop Down List
Proposed intervention Calculated U value: 0.252 W/m2.K
Proposed intervention cost: £0.00 No Cost datasets
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Energy: 137,918 MJ
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Carbon: 1,013 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Sequestered Carbon: 0.00 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Total Carbon: 0.00 kg CO2
Short fall or exceeeded U value: 1.228 W/m2.K
Pass or fail: Fail Pass or Fail
In Use Heat loss: 419.63 W
In use Carbon: 0.09 kg CO2/kWh
Build: Traditional Builds TB
Element: External Wall EW
Element Format: Solid Wall SW
Insulation Position: Inner face IWI
Structure Moisture Permeability: Structure Moisture Open SMO
Insulation Permeability: Insulation Moisture Closed IMC
Building fabric condition: Poor P
Wind Driven Rain Index: 4 Very Severe 100 or more 4
Risk factor: Look Up Code: Very High VLOOKUP
Risk Level: TB:EW:SW:IWI:SMO:IMC:P:4 Concatenate
Risk Statement: External Wall: Non moisture open solution inside moisture open structure not advised.
Risks very high due to poor condition and exposed nature of the site.
VLOOKUP
Party Floor Yes =
Party Floor Format: Suspended framed VLOOKUP
Existing Party Floor Thickness: 150 mm
Existing Party Floor Material: Softwood VLOOKUP
Existing Party Floor finish: Carpet VLOOKUP
Previous Party Floor Insulation Material: None VLOOKUP
Previous Party Floor Insulation Position: Unknown VLOOKUP
Previous Party Floor Insulation Thickness: 0 mm
Number of Party Floors: 1 No.
Standardised dwelling database Assumed Floor Area: 72.13 m2
Actual Floor Area: 72.13 m2
Assumed or Actual Floor area? Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation Party Floor Area: 72.13 m2
Project Target U value Party Floor : . W/m2.K
Calculated previous intervention U value: Party Wal: 0.16 W/m2.K
Proposed New Insulation Position: . IF
Proposed New Insulation Material: . IF
Proposed New Insulation Thickness: . mm
Proposed New Insulation Finish: None < Drop Down List
Proposed intervention Calculated U value: 1.52 W/m2.K
Proposed intervention cost: £0.00 No Cost datasets
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Energy: 78 MJ
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Carbon: 303 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Sequestered Carbon: 2404.33 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Total Carbon: -2101.14 kg CO2
Short fall or exceeeded U value: Not defined W/m2.K
Pass or fail: Pass Undefined Pass or Fail
In Use Heat loss: 0.00 W
In use Carbon: 0.000 kg CO2/kWh
Build: Traditional Builds TB
Element: Party Floor PF
Element Format: Suspended Floor SuF
Insulation Position: None None
Structure Moisture Permeability: Structure Moisture Open SMO
Insulation Permeability: None None
Building fabric condition: Poor P
Wind Driven Rain Index: 4 Very Severe 100 or more 4
Risk Level: ? VLOOKUP
Risk factor: Look Up Code: TB:PF:SuF:None:SMO:None:P:4 Concatenate
Risk Statement: Party Floor: No moisture risk assessment currently available VLOOKUP
Party Wall Yes =
Party Wall Materials/Format: Timber framed VLOOKUP
Existing Party Wall Thickness: 0 mm
Existing Party Wall Material: Timber framed VLOOKUP
Existing Party wall Internal finish: Plasterboard and plaster skim VLOOKUP
Previous Party Wall Insulation Material: None VLOOKUP
Previous Party Wall Insulation Position: None VLOOKUP
Previous Party Wall Insulation Thickness: 0 mm
Number of Party Walls: 0 No.
Standardised dwelling database Assumed Wall Area: 0.00 m2
Actual Wall Area: 0 m2
Assumed or Actual Wall area? Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation Party Wall Area: 0.00 m2
Project Target U value Party Wall : 0.22 W/m2.K
Calculated previous intervention U value: Party Wal: 0.086 W/m2.K
Proposed New Insulation Position: House Side IF
Proposed New Insulation Material: Phenolic Foam IF
Proposed New Insulation Thickness: 100 mm
Proposed New Insulation Finish: Perlite Lime Mix < Drop Down List
Proposed intervention Calculated U value: 0.00 W/m2.K
Proposed intervention cost: £0.00 No Cost datasets
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Energy: 0 MJ
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Carbon: 0 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Sequestered Carbon: 0 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Total Carbon: 0 kg CO2
Short fall or exceeeded U value: Not defined W/m2.K
Pass or fail: Pass Undefined Pass or Fail
In Use Heat loss: 0.00 W
In use Carbon dioxide: 0.00 kg CO2/kWh
Build: Traditional Builds TB
Element: Party Wall PW
Element Format: Framed Wall FW
Insulation Position: House Side HSPW
Structure Moisture Permeability: Structure Moisture Open SMO
Insulation Permeability: Insulation Moisture Closed IMC
Building fabric condition: Poor P
Wind Driven Rain Index: 4 Very Severe 100 or more 4
Risk Level: ? VLOOKUP
Risk factor: Look Up Code: TB:PW:FW:HSPW:SMO:IMC:P:4 Concatenated
Risk Statement: Party Walls: No moisture risk assessment currently available VLOOKUP
Roof (or party floor above) Yes =
Existing Roof Flat or Pitched Pitched Roof VLOOKUP
Existing roof format Framed Pitched Roof VLOOKUP
Existing roof rafter/joist depth: 200 mm
Existing roof structure mateial: Softwood framed VLOOKUP
Existing roof covering material: Slates VLOOKUP
Previous Roof Insulation Material: Phenolic foam, foil faced VLOOKUP
Previous Roof Insulation Position: Rafter level VLOOKUP
Previous Roof Insulation thickness: 120 mm
Actual Roof Insulation thickness: 120 mm
Choose Assumed or Actual Roof Insulation Thickness: Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation Roof Insulation Thickness: 120 mm
Assumed Roof Pitch: 41 Degrees
Actual Roof Pitch: 41 Degrees
Choose Assumed or Actual Roof Pitch: Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation Roof Pitch: 41 Degrees
Standardised dwelling database Assumed Roof Area: 89.35166291 m2
Actual Roof Area 128 m2
Assumed or Actual Roof area? Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation Roof Area: 89.35166291 m2
Project Target U value: Roof Refurbishment . W/m2.K
Calculated Previous Intervention U value: 0.113 W/m2.K
Proposed New Insulation Position: . IF
Proposed New Insulation Material: . IF
Proposed New Insulation Thickness: . mm
Proposed New internal finish: None < Drop Down List
Proposed Intervention calculated U value: 0.903 W/m2.K
Proposed intervention cost: £0.00 No Cost datasets
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Energy: 74 MJ
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Carbon: 2,581 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Sequestered Carbon: 2,740 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Total Carbon: -159 kg CO2
Short fall or exceeeded U value: -0.77 W/m2.K
Pass or fail: Fail Pass or Fail
In Use Heat loss: 172 W
In use Carbon: 0.037 kg CO2/kWh
Build: Traditional Builds TB
Element: Pitched Roof PR
Element Format: Framed Pitched Roof FPR
Insulation Position: None None
Structure Moisture Permeability: Structure Moisture Open SMO
Insulation Permeability: None None
Building fabric condition: Poor P
Wind Driven Rain Index: 4 Very Severe 100 or more 4
Risk Level: ? VLOOKUP
Risk factor: Look Up Code: TB:PR:FPR:None:SMO:None:P:4 Concatenated
Risk Statement: Roof: No moisture risk assessment currently available VLOOKUP
Windows Yes =
Existing Windows: Double glazed post 2002 VLOOKUP
Standardised dwelling database Exiting window U value: 1.6 W/m2.K
Proposed Window Energy Improvements: None VLOOKUP
Proposed Window Energy Replacements: N/A W/m2.K
Standardised dwelling database Assumed Number of windows: 7 No.
Standardised dwelling database Assumed Average Window Area: 0.72 m2
Assumed Total Glazing Area: 5.04 m2
Actual Number of windows: 7 No.
Actual Average Window Area: 0.72 m2
Actual Glazing Area 5.04 m2
Assumed or Actual Glazing area? Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation Glazing Area: 5.04 m2
Proposed intervention cost: £0.00 No Cost datasets
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Energy: 2.77 MJ
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Carbon: 1099.36 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Sequestered Carbon: 0.00 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Total Carbon: 1099.36 kg CO2
Short fall or exceeeded U value: -3.889 W/m2.K
Pass or fail: Pass Pass or Fail
In Use Heat loss: 137.09 W
In use Carbon: 0.029 kg CO2/kWh
Doors: Yes =
Existing Doors: Uninsulated VLOOKUP
Standardised dwelling database Exiting door U value: 1.60 W/m2.K
Previous Door Energy Improvements: None VLOOKUP
Proposed Door Energy Improvements: N/A W/m2.K
Assumed Number of doors 1 No.
Assumed Average Door Area: 1.8 m2
Assumed Total Glazing Area: 1.8 m2
Actual Glazing Area 1.8 m2
Assumed or Actual Glazing area? Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation Glazing Area: 1.8 m2
Proposed Intervention calculated U value: 5.88 W/m2.K
Proposed intervention cost: £0.00 No Cost datasets
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Energy: 0.3 MJ
Proposed intervention Calculated Embodied Carbon: 1.62 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Sequestered Carbon: 24.63 kg CO2
Proposed intervention Calculated Total Carbon: -23.01 kg CO2
Short fall or exceeeded U value: 2.88 W/m2.K
Pass or fail: Fail Pass or Fail
In Use Heat loss: 137.70 W
In use Carbon: 0.03 kg CO2/kWh
Services No =
Occupant numbers: Choose < Drop Down List
Lifestyle choice: Temperature desired: Degrees C: 21 < Drop Down List
Assumed Volume of House: 158.01 m2
Assumed No. of Bathrooms 1 No.
Actual Volume of House: 582.16 m2
Actual No. of Bathrooms 2 No.
Assumed or Actual Volumes and numbers? Assumed < Drop Down List
Calculation Volume of House: 158.01 m2
Calculation No. of Bathrooms 1 No.
Existing Fuel/Energy Use: Mains Electricity VLOOKUP
Existing Multiple Fuel/Energy Type: Mains Electricity VLOOKUP
Existing heater: ASHP VLOOKUP
Exiting Monitoring & Controls: Thermostat: Room Thermostat VLOOKUP
Exiting Monitoring & Controls: Radiators Warm Air outlet to main living space VLOOKUP
Exiting Monitoring & Controls: Controller Programmer VLOOKUP
Existing Heating Efficiency: 325% VLOOKUP
Proposed Monitoring & Controls: Thermostat: Room Thermostat VLOOKUP
Proposed Monitoring & Controls: Radiators Warm Air outlet to main living space VLOOKUP
Proposed Monitoring & Controls: Controller Programmer VLOOKUP
Heating No =
Calculated Energy Consumption: 50 kWh/annum
Lifestle adjustment: 110 %
Calculated Lifestyle Adjusted Energy Consumption: 55 kWh/annum
Proposed Fuel/Energy Type: Mains Electricity VLOOKUP
Proposed Multiple Fuel/Energy types: Mains Electricity VLOOKUP
Existing Heating Source: ASHP VLOOKUP
Heating delivery system: Radiators < Drop Down List
Proposed Heating Source Choose < Drop Down List
Proposed Monitoring & Controls: Choose < Drop Down List
Proposed Monitoring & Controls: Thermostat: Room Thermostat VLOOKUP
Proposed Monitoring & Controls: Radiators Warm Air outlet to main living space VLOOKUP
Proposed Monitoring & Controls: Programmer VLOOKUP
Ventilation No =
Proposed Fuel/Energy Type: Mains Electricity VLOOKUP
Proposed Multiple Fuel/Energy types: Mains Electricity VLOOKUP
Existing Ventilation Type: Air Leaky House < Drop Down List
Proposed Ventilation System: MVHR Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery < Drop Down List
Proposed Monitoring & Controls: Programmer VLOOKUP
Calculated Energy Consumtion: kWh/annum
Lighting No =
Number of luminaires: 12 No.
Luminaire Watts: (average): 8 W
Light on average Hours: 8 Hrs.
Lighting Demand: 768 W/day
Hot water No =
Existing Fuel/Energy Use: Mains Electricity VLOOKUP
Multiple fuel types: Mains Electricity VLOOKUP
Proposed Fuel: Mains Electricity VLOOKUP
Existing Water Heating Method: Mains Electricity to dual Immersion heaters in Cylinder VLOOKUP
Water Storage Method: Choose < Drop Down List
Proposed Monitoring & Controls: Programmer VLOOKUP
Electric vehicle: No =

 

 

Q2.2 how this data is then used and interpreted A2.2 See Tables above

To complete datasets in B2 HouseTypes some interpolation is carried out or calculations cannot be carried out

Q2.3 Issues or circumstances identified using the software and what decisions were made as a result (i.e. heat loss through windows is x if you improve performance, you get y) A2.3

Regulations, Design Standard and/or campaigns chosen to set U value of all elements, sub-elements and carbon targets for components, elements and whole building.

Heat losses before and after with options.

Embodied and In use Energy, (=Whole Life Cycle Energy)

Embodied and In use CO2, (=Whole Life Cycle CO2)

Build Cost and Running costs (=Whole life Cycle costs)

Q2.4 what tangible outcomes there were and at what RIBA stage A2.4 All of the items listed in A2.3

Modelling using a readymade house type can happened at any RIBA stage 0-7.

Modelling using tablet survey of existing building might start at RIBA Stage 1.

Q2.5 how this translated through the project to construction and beyond A2.5 Once the project is defined any change anywhere will recalculate throughout all worksheets to summary tables

You can switch regulation or design standards or change thicknesses and get instantaneous results, in all of A2.3

You can instantly see the short term and long term consequences of all decisions, to enable well-informed decisions.

You can do real value engineering not just cost cutting at any RIBA stage.

Non-RIBA stages 8 Reuse and 9 Demolition for reuse are accommodated in Elemental Assemblies where existing, previous and proposed interventions can be distinguished and calculated.

Q3 The meeting was helpful but in terms of how to use the software, without seeing it, it is difficult to work out in what way we can add value through the stages. A3 Videos will be produced to explain:

The purpose of each worksheet

How to complete it

What you get out of it and how to use it

Q4 I guess we don’t want to be ruled by the software, but by understanding it’s structure and the data required, we can be better informed of how this can be useful to us (or what we need to know!). A4 GRC is there to help you do a lot in less time

The posters in the PPTX show all the parts but not explain the relationships (calculations)

See GBC Events

There are screenshots and descriptions of purpose of each worksheet on the GBC Q&A page.

The survey worksheets list all of the information needed

The house types list all the information it needs and some that do not have calculations yet.

I could do a flow diagram but this is low priority on my agenda.

STBA’s proposed interface will collect what you need to know

As mentioned, we often aren’t in a position with existing buildings to get a lot of data. A GRC readymade house type provides 100 data points to model a building so you can run scenarios on a ‘non-building’ or a building close to your project, without actual survey data.

At this point you can do Value Engineering or Optioneering

As you get closer to the project and the survey you can switch over to accurate building analysis.

The STBA Survey tool will be worth investigating when it launches

For instance, getting an air tightness test to determine how leaky a building is, to enable you to set a benchmark for improving this, is not available, nor would the client pay for this up front….we could assume but that’s always risky with Listed Buildings (or any existing building). GRC does not yet do Airtightness calculations

I hope to get it added to GRC V2

Once you have modelled a building or chosen a house type you can save it as a template, for future projects.

Templates then give you free information to work with so you can offer more information to your client without a fee or a cost.

So if this was the case, can we still use the software to our advantage if the data isn’t accurate? Use a template for optioneering with existing building and previous interventions plus 2 proposals for comparison purposes
Hope you don’t mind the questions! Not at all, but sometimes the answers take a while to arrive.
I will now add these to the GBC Q&A page.

27th June 2023

Noah Schneider Masters Student Amsterdam

Q1

  • Will this calculator become a certified tool under the EU Levels Framework

Q2

  • Will this engage with rising global temperature

Q3

  • Where do the numbers in the cells come from

Q4

  • How do we change number in blue cells? How do we change the number of hours or years

29th August 2022

GBC V2 > V3 development potential
A1
  • I am unfamiliar with, but I will investigate, the EU Levels Framework
  • If GBC generates sufficient income I will consider this certification
A2
  • At the moment GBC does not change with temperatures over time but the user can do that in the input cells
  • In the UK we would go to Meteorological Office datasets to predict future temperatures
  • I could provide a link to these sources
A3
  • I can see the users need to know where the data in a blue cell comes from.
    • Blue cells can be the result of calculations
    • Calculations may be the result of interactions between numerous cells
  • I can add comments to cells to indicate where data has come from.
  • Source cells may be:
    • green input cells
    • red choose from a drop down list cells
    • brown cells delivered from a look up table

A4

  • In the retrofit version we have added more rows for:
    • number of years per life.
    • numbers of hours per life
  • Anything developed in Retrofit that could be used in new build will be developed here
  • More parameters will be added or addressed and we will groups more options together in one place
BrianSpecMan
29th August 2022

Working on a PH performance house, with Building Biology Association healthy approach.

Q1

  • We are wanting to interrogate more options, quickly and easily.
  • Can we add more component rows to elemental assemblies?
  • We could choose 1st component row and then compare it with choosing only the 2nd component row.
  • The worksheet is locked to prevent adding rows.

Q2

  • There are some column width restrictions so the cell content is unreadable

Q3

  • We get a lot of prices from sub-contractors as £/m2
  • That does not easily fit in the Bill of Quantities
  • How can we add them?

Q4

  • Like NBS Software which can hide an unused clause, can we hide an unused element?

Q5

  • Can we add Passivhaus certified components easily?

Q6

  • How can we collaborate in development of GBC?

Debbie & Lauren
Architects

24/08/2022

GBC V2 > V3 development potential
Q1
  • Adding extra rows to elements will be an easy option for GBC to adopt
  • This is a very simple addition for GBC to accommodate without hours of development by GBC
  • GBC will set up a schedule of options at locking each worksheet and determine which are needed by users and not wanted or needed.
  • This will be used whenever a versions is to be released.
Q2
  • GBC will set up a schedule of options at locking each worksheet and determine which are needed by users and not wanted or needed.
  • This will be used whenever a versions is to be released.
Q3
  • GBC can make some blue cells (results of calculations) into pale blue cells (calculated but editable by users)
  • GBC can add additional columns to capture the data users obtain
  • GBC has also developed worksheets to calculate quantities from sales packs these shall be made available
Q4
  • MS Excel has a hierarchy function which appears to allow a hide function, GBC will explore if this cas be used
  • GBC will also develop the navigation hyperlinks to jump included chosen elements
Q5
  • GBC is keen to capture any product data directly from sources or from GBC users
  • users should be able to add rows to products worksheet
Q6
  • GBC is keen to develop collaborative relationship with users so we share data collected on projects and feed them back into the Look up tables
  • We envisage listing collaborators who contribute data without revealing which where, but having a hidden audit trail back to the source of information
These Q&A will be added to the GBC wishlist and try to get them into the next version
We also discussed design to reduce waste
Here is a link to a CPD I created on the subject
BrianSpecMan
25th August 2022 – 29th August 2022

It would be great to carry on those conversations and hear more about your work with the Green Building Calculator, particularly around the reuse of steel.

Daisy Ash MSc BEng
Senior Carbon Consultant

14/06/2022

GBC V2 already includes:
  • Elements: super-structure frames and components
  • Components: It includes drop down lists of U Universal, RS Rolled section, PF Parallel Flange profiles and HS hollow sections
    • We do need to add weights of profiles for this to be the whole story
    • We could go further to show Iyy & Ryy values to compare different reclaimed sections strengths
    • (its long time since I talked structures so I may be wrong with the notations)
  • Materials: It includes virgin and recycled steels
    • So we can engage with reclaimed steel
  • But what is missing is manufacturers, suppliers and costs.
  • We plan to add Green Building Product Data Collection and Green Building Price Book to fill those gaps.

Looks interesting.

Does it estimate volumes of materials in a variety of house types?

Or do you need to input them in yourself?

Thanks

Via LinkedIn 11th June 2022

GBC B2 (not GBC V2) Retrofit version has numerous house types in a look-up-table, choose and it populates the cells and does the calculations for you:

  • E.g. England v Scotland;
  • end of terrace v semi-detached v cottage v double upper, etc.;
  • pre-1919 v post 1919, etc.;
  • traditional solid wall v cavity wall,
  • suspended floor v solid floor; etc.

GBC V2 does not do that yet, so you do need to add building dimensions and methods of construction, it will then do the number crunching for you.

GBC V2 is designed to serve any building design

  • New build
  • Retrofit
  • Domestic
  • Non-domestic
  • single or Multi-storey
  • Detached or Terraces

Bespoke development in GBC B2 will find their way back into GBC V3-V35 when enough subscribers help it to develop.

  • Is GBC V2 in MS Excel, which version?
  • Does GBC V2 work on an Apple MacBook?
30/05/2022

  • Thanks for this. That means I should be able to use it on my ageing Mac!
  • You could consider building an .ODS using the open source LibreOffice spreadsheet.
  • As that is cross-platform, it would make the Calculator available on Linux as well.
  • Libre Office is downloadable for free.

30/05/2022


  • GBC Version 2 is created as a MS Excel for Mac 2011 Version 14.7.3 file,
  • GBC is created and published in XLSX format
    • I can of course create an XLS format
    • or other Excel export formats
    • (with potential loss of some functions)
    • Do tell me if I should offer the file in another open format to reach other audiences
  • You will need to have use of Excel to use it.
  • I have opened it in Google Sheets
    • but I found that challenging on an iPadPro
    • mostly due to unfamiliarity of sheets’ menus,
    • similar to Excel for windows I guess
  • GBC V2 file size: 12Mb
    • (later versions will get much larger)
    • you will need to have sufficient RAM to open it

  • Thanks for your suggestion, I will investigate, as soon as I have moment to spare.
We are gathering our thoughts following Futurebuild 2022
  • Numerous questions were raised, many of them are already addressed.
  • Others need some thought about how they will be addressed.
  • We are working on it.
13/03/2022
Some more answers soon
How does GBC support asset managers and their financiers?
A visitor to Futurebuild 2022 stand, follow up phone call.
17/03/2022
Following our call we can offer:
Introduction CPD seminars (bespoke to your audience) to you and your clients, Scope:
  • In use and Embodied Energy and Carbon and costs in built assets.
  • Embodied Energy and Carbon and costs in demolishing built assets.
  • In use and Embodied Energy and Carbon and costs in refurbishing built assets
  • Embodied Energy and Carbon and costs in Renewable energy for built assets
  • Where to start when the calculators do not exist, what data sets and equations exist?
  • What do various calculators do and not do.
  • What information and tools are coming?

Non-CPD seminar other activity

  • Training Trainers and Training Users of GBC design and decision tool.
  • We do not have time to offer consultancy, except to show another what can be done with GBC
  • Or we find others to do consultancy using GBC
I hope this helps for now, please keep asking questions
I’m doing my degree in building surveying and I’m just wondering
Could this software work on a large building like a church or just domestic houses?
12/03/2022
GBC V1 was invented to do any new build, including multi-storey
GBC V2 has many roof geometries (may help with churches)
The floor plan of a church may be challenging but users can overwrite some cells with totals calculated elsewhere
GBC needs a worksheet to calculate complex footprints
Form Factor calculations will probably be important to a church form
GBC V2 will already do multiple houses in terraces and apartments in towers and refurbishing existing
Check out Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance (STBA)’s Online Survey and Options Appraisal (OA) tools
It is being developed at the moment, OA was created within GBC then exported as GBC B2 and it is getting a new on-line interface
GBC later versions, learning from GBC B2 will do refurbishment of many dwellings very well
GBC later versions still will do circular geometries.

How long will it take to do a full house retrofit analysis?

Via LinkedIN

09/02/2022

I have not carried out a full analysis using GBC yet.
  • So I cannot give you an answer yet.
  • I do hope to try it out for myself to be able to tell all, as soon as I have finished V2 development.
  • I have done all I can to make user’s time as minimal as possible.
  • More and more features will be added.
I have been developing a Retrofit bespoke version of GBC for STBA which integrates with their survey tool.
We are being commissioned to carry out analysis of three remote buildings.
  • The round trip to two remote sites to do surveys will take as long as the analysis.
  • The process will also include development of three new generic house type datasets, not currently in the calculator.
  • Each house is to have two extreme solutions, I have allowed 6 hours each as the primary user process, I hope I am right.

Good day,

I’m a QS working in Auckland New Zealand and I’d like to know if your software would be applicable in New Zealand

Moegammad Soeker

03/11/2021

How much work is required to convert the data to be accurate for use in New Zealand?

Jon Lliffe of eHaus

12/06/2022

  • There is an Australian student using GBC V1 (so near and yet so far)
  • GBC uses SI units so it works internationally
  • GBC is in metric. e.g. mm, m, kg, etc.
  • GBC will NOT work with imperial yard/feet/inches or st stone/lbs pounds/oz ounces
    • UK Government, buoyant form their Brexit fiasco have released a public consultation on de-metrication in retail
    • GBC will not go down that route
    • but if others (from USA?) want to approach GBC to develop it, so be it
  • GBC V2 uses UK£ in fuel costs and bills of quantities/costs but you could still use NZ currency (if of a metric nature)
  • GBC V2 launched April 2022
  • GBC will think about how GBC users can change to any (metric) currency with one click (yes that is doable)
  • GBC V1 & V2 will NOT work with UK historic imperial £sp (we hope Brexit will not lead to having to change)
  • GBC V1 & V2 lists some UK and EU products
  • GBC users can add local, regional, national, continental and global products and datasets
  • GBC has plans to develop Green Building Product Data Collection and Green Building Price Book to feed GBC
  • GBC V1 & V2 lists UK regulations and design standards, but it has places for other national regulations and design standards to be added by the user
  • Once added GBC users can choose their national standards with one cell change, to engage your choice.
  • GBC are keen to collect other national standards and design guides and add them to the GBC core product.
  • There is a ‘Capture national standards’ worksheet
  • Do let GBC know if any of this is a problem (GBC can think about possible solutions)
  • GBC will engage with anybody who wishes to develop local versions of GBC.
  • GBC Version 2 has a full bill of quantities for budgeting, pricing, tendering.
  • GBC later versions will gradually develop a Green Building Price Book.
  • If/when you purchase GBC will know, do keep in touch about problems GBC needs to address for you and any users.

Thank you Brian,

I appreciate the time you have spent to split out the work that would need to be done to make V2 meaningful in NZ.
We are fully metric, I am sure the UK will not be silly enough to revert!
At the moment I am exploring options there are some local tools and as we use the PHPP for every project there is the plugin called PH ribbon which is an option.
My biggest concern with this topic is there is no point counting carbon if it has no impact or change to the materials chosen for construction.
ie we should stop using concrete for our floors and switch to timber floors but it is likely that the market is not ready to accept that as an option at this point in time.
Anyway, thanks for your feedback and commitment to the cause:)
Ngā Mihi_Kind Regards,

Jon Lliffe Mech Prod Eng Director of eHaus

12th June 2022  – 16th June 2022

I do not trust our Boris, we do not have your Prime Minister, I would feel safer in Jacinda’s hands.
With Brexit he allegedly took control of our borders in every way except COVID.
GBC includes PHPP values as an option.
GBC does similar things to PH Ribbon (we were approached by the authors during its development)
BREEAM Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method often made us take days recording what we did, with no incentive to change.
GBC includes EC Targets from: LETI London Energy Transformation Initiative, RIBA 2030 climate challenge, ACAN Architects Carbon action network and TfL Transport for London
Without targets there is no reason or incentive to change anything.
Keep up your good work.

My directors have asked me to look into the Green Building Calculator and I was wondering whether you could please help me with a few queries I have?

Thank you for your Director’s enquiry, very happy to answer.

  • In your description it says that it provides cost information of different materials.
  • Where does this information come from?
  • Is this something that we will have to get from manufacturers and input it manually or does it connect to a database?
  • Initially GBC is populated by your own enquiries from:
    • Manufacturers and suppliers websites
    • Suppliers or installers quotations
    • At Tender stage it can be populated by your tenderer/contractor as a pricing document
  • This information could be used to populate your own rough prices look up table
  • Green Building Calculator (GBC) had originally considered Spon pricing books but the discussions we have had suggest these are not reliable enough and may be contributing to Quantity Surveyors (QS)’s poor cost planning and the ‘race to the bottom’ our industry is experiencing.
  • GBC will seek Manufacturer’s, Supplier’s and Installer’s support to populate the product spreadsheets with cost data.
  • GBC have access to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) datasets that also include cost data, these will be considered for inclusion in GBC but we will seek confirmation from manufacturers

Green Building Product Data Collection

GBPDC Green Building Product Data Collection

GBPDC V1 Green Building Product Data Collection C#909

GBC GBPDC Man Supplier Form V2 290521


Green Building Price Book

  • How it compares with the PHPP software?
  • I understand that this calculator explores different heating options and doesn’t rely solely on a heat recovery system like Passivhaus, but in terms of the other calculations it does, how does it compare?
  • Does it have the same extent of calculations?
  • My practice is unclear on which licence to purchase.
  • This is not equivalent to PHPP, however you can get an impression of what Passivhaus (PH) or EnerPHit (or AECB’s Carbon Lite & CL Retrofit) will do to your building’s U values, Insulation thicknesses, if you choose it as your energy target.
  • Whilst PH is a great route to low energy in use, GBC knows many may not go that way and may focus on lowering embodied energy (EE) embodied carbon (EC) raising sequestered carbon (SC) and lowering in use carbon (IUC).
  • GBC have developed the whole building & elemental calculators to determine the demand heat source(s) size
  • GBC have also developed the room by room calculator to work out radiator/Under floor heating (UFH) coil sizes or start with boiler size and work out insulation thicknesses to match the boiler.
  • This version of GBC calculator does not have a Services Design Function yet (GBC Version 16 unless we bring it forward, we probably will)
  • GBC have met the man who can help to build this module, GBC will engage with him once version 2 is published.
  • GBC is adding a Services Bill of materials/quantities/costs, EE EC & LCA in version 2 (bringing parts from v3 and v6 much sooner)
  • PHPP software compares the calculated version to the Passivhaus criteria (so gives a benchmark).
  • In your description it says it does a comparison with different standards.
  • Does this mean that it will provide the various criteria for Passivhaus,  BREEAM etc?
  • After a Form factor calculation you are promoted to set your U value targets, then you choose between Regulations, which should be local to the project (e.g. UK’s England & Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland or other national standard) and design standards: UK Green Building Council (UK GBC), Zero Carbon Hub (ZCH), PH EnerPHit, Carbon Lite (CL), Carbon Lite Retrofit (CLR), Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), etc. targets
  • You choose and set targets, the U values permeates the calculator, when you assemble your building elements it tells you Pass, Unregulated Pass or Fail; and GBC will warn of failure with red coloured conditional formatting.

GBE Green Building Calculator Elements U values Basement A15 BRM 280620 PNG

  • This may equate to your benchmarking?
  • You can then adjust insulation thicknesses to get Pass all round.
  • You should use Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) for passivhaus (PH) calculations not GBC.
  • This calculator will help with BREEAM area calculations and speed up some of the tedious fruitless calculations.
  • These calculations are useful as part of the design process, rather than totalling up and changing nothing as happens with BREEAM.
  • Version 3 will have LCA EPD calculations in it. (Brought forwards)  (delayed from Version 2, BRM 03/11/2021)
  • This is based on your own specific or bespoke elemental assemblies, so it is not restricted to the 1200 or so in Green Guide to Specification (GGtS).
  • You get an instant answer without waiting for Building Research Establishment (BRE) to do their bespoke calculations for you.
  • In time Green Building Product Data Collection (GBPDC) datasets will have useful data to support Passivhaus, BREEAM, etc.
  • Is version 3 the latest one on the market?
  • It has a lot of attractive functions!
  • GBC V1 was released June-July 2020
  • GBC V2 will be promoted at Futurebuild March 2022 at stand L68
  • GBC V2 is being developed with Embodied Energy, Embodied Carbon, Sequestered Carbon, Bill of materials, Quantities, etc.
  • GBC V2 should be the one that is needed by many
  • GBC V3 is being developed with Life Cycle Assessment and Environmental Product Declaration datasets and calculator

At a Make a Difference (MaD) Hangout #3 presentation:

  • Q&A Session:
  • Does this tool engage with Scope 3?
  • I did not understand the question so could not answer
  • I explained what it does, what data it uses and how it does it.
  • Another delegate said it does
  • Over the following days emails we got to the bottom of the question
  • I gave a better answer by email
Cutting Carbon/Greenhouse/GHG emissions is what IPCC and GHG Protocol are trying to do.
It is a globally accepted framework for systematically trying to lower carbon emission.
Using GHG Protocol, big corporates measure-control-report carbon emissions.
Let us assume that there is company named ABC.
Scope 1 – ABC Company’s own emissions from boiler, turbine, heater, incinerator, air-conditioner, freeze, freezer, etc.
Scope 2 – ABC Company’s own emissions from electricity, gas, etc which is energy purchase
Scope 3 – They are not ABC company’s own carbon emissions, but carbon emissions from its supply chain partners:
  1. Up value chain – Miners-Manufacturers-Suppliers-Transporters, from where material comes to ABC company, so purchasing side.
  2. Down value chain – Customers-Manufactures-Consumers-Transporters-Franchise-Waste. This is the place where ABC company’s goods are sold/consumed.
I hope this helps a bit.

Scope 1:

  • Is Cradle to gate emissions (EN 15804 A1-A3) from company ABC’s in-use energy and in-use carbon, premises-side of the consumer unit
  • (I think I would exclude turbine from your list since it generates energy rather than consume it)
  • I guess it will include improvements due to voltage optimisation premises-side of the consumer unit.
  • I believe LCA of products focusses on impacts and emissions from the production of product to sell,
  • but probably does not try to distinguish between production and accommodation consumption and emissions and just regards it as an overhead of production.
  • I say this on the assumption they do not do sub-metering between factory and office on the same site.
  • I believe that LCA and EPD data is the source and it converts everything to GHG = CO2equivalents.
  • GBC V2 includes LCA EPD datasets for the products used to make a building.

Scope 2:

  • Is emissions in primary energy delivered to your premises. (Part of EN 15804’s A3)
  • To some extent is out of ABCs control (but they can choose a Green Energy Tariff)
  • Depends upon: fuel choice (e.g. Renewable energy v Fossil energy)
  • and varies upon production inefficiency (fuel to steam to generator to electricity),
  • conversion inefficiency (PV DC via Inverter to AC or transformers and voltage drops)
  • and transmission losses (along sunk, overhead or buried cables)
  • I guess it does not address voltage optimisation premises-side of the consumer unit.
  • I believe LCA of products focusses on impacts and emissions from the production of product to sell,
  • it inevitably adds primary energy choices and emissions to the calculations.
  • The LCA will choose main electricity average figure for ABCs country
  • France has a high nuclear % Uk has a significant RE % and reducing fossil %
  • Unless ABC have onsite RE, have access to offsite RE installations or buy Green Tariff and choose it to calculate accordingly.
  • I do have a table for emissions from mains electricity across all EU countries individually
  • (not yet incorporated into GBC V2 calculations but could be added with less than an hours work)
  • I might do that today.

Scope 3:

  • is ABC’s Gate to site emissions (EN 15804’s A4 and any of B1-B6, C1-C4)
  • To some extent outside of ABCs control, influenced through supply chain development, by setting targets for continuing relationship
  • and relates to their supply chain companies own Scope 1 2 (& 3) emissions
  • GBC V2 accommodates and calculates EN 15804 A1-D when any EPD has the information
  • So I believe GBC V2 is Scope 3 compliant if the manufacturers have the data in their EPDs.

I reviewed a bit more on GHG Protocol website.

  • LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and Supply Chain (Scope 3) are two different approaches to the same solution of carbon emission reduction.
    • Interesting
  • I think, your calculator takes care to reduce carbon emission by carefully selecting product as well as design, so focusing on the right approach of LCA.
    • Good to hear
  • Secondly, supply chain (scope 3) may be irrelevant in your case, as the product (i.e. building) is to be used by the person who buys/rents it. So basically, it is almost at the end of the supply chain (i.e. consumption).
    • Interesting
  • I do not have access to the calculator, but if this calculator has end of life (when building is demolished in future) carbon footprint, then I think you have addressed scope 3.
    • Green Building Encyclopaedia has many screenshots of GBC V2 if you want to see inside.
    • The LCA function has EN 15804 C1-C4 and D so can do the calculation if the data is on the manufacturers EPDs
    • I think that the RICS Document allows a theoretical calculation for C1-C4 and D but I need to investigate it.
  • You seem to have done an amazing job in creating something very difficult.
    • Thank you very much for your kind words, it is not so difficult, as time consuming, it has taken 10 months so far.
    • It would put most people off
    • It would take a big project with a long programme to carry its development as an overhead

At a Construction Excellence Award Panel:

  • Q&A Session: Q1
  • Does the Calculator Address Indoor Air Quality?

GBE and Indoor Air Quality

  • Green Building Calculator Version 2 Does not address Indoor Air Quality
  • Later versions could address it
  • At the time of this panel GBC do not know if Indoor air Quality can be calculated
  • But it will be investigated
  • Sentinel Haus accreditation carries out a physical test within a dwelling, sampling the air in a sealed building over a set period of time.
  • If it is possible to assess the IAQ based on the amount of materials at the internal surfaces based on their ingredients and VOCs then GBC will endeavour to calculate it in later Versions.

At a Construction Excellence Award Panel:

  • Q&A Session: Q2
  • Does the calculator use other external data sources?

GBC sourcing external data

  • GBC V2 Does not yet access external data sources.
  • Later versions will engage with CAD BIM and share dimensions and Bill of Material data.
  • At this stage GBC is being developed with small practices in mind.
  • Larger practices will have CAD BIM and Appropriate Apps.
  • Smaller practices will probably not afford the high end high cost solutions.
  • GBC intends to remain a low cost solution for the majority.
  • Recent survey reports that a significant number of practices have not and probably will not adopt BIM.
  • If they are not doing Government Work there is no requirement.
  • There is a big financial investment to switch from CAD to BIM and hardware to support it.
  • There needs to be Carbon solutions for these practices too.
  • As open data sources grow GBC will seek opportunities to obtain Product datasets from such data sources

GBC as an external Data Source

At a Construction Excellence Award Panel:

  • Q&A Session: Q3
  • Can the Calculator be subdivided and used separately?
GBC CPD Poster 2 Slide23

GBC as a Design and Decision Tool

  • The reasons for creating this calculator include:
    • To enable designers to regain better control of their project
    • To take back control of cost planning away from low cost focussed QSs
    • To enable well informed responses to Cost Cutting disguised as Value Engineering
    • To Reduce the Performance Gap caused by substitution
    • To count energy and carbon
  • Only if your have all the core functions in Version 2 can you have:
    • Cost planning, Tendering, Controlled Price adjustments
    • In use Energy, In use Carbon, In use Cost
    • Embodied Energy, Embodied carbon, Sequestered carbon
    • Pay back periods, Carbon back periods
    • Well informed Value Engineering instead of dumb Cost Cutting
    • Control over the Performance Gap
  • So subdivision has no useful purpose

GBC Subdivision

  • GBC may become a data source in its own right.
  • But only certain parts make sense in that respect:
    • Green Building Product Data Sets
    • Green Building Elemental Assemblies
    • Green Building Price Book
  • It is unlikely that GBC will be subdivided and sold separately

GBC Core and Modules

  • Version 1 was never a complete Green Building Calculator without EE EC SBC & LCA
  • Version 2 has Embodied Energy, Embodied Carbon, Sequestered Carbon and Life Cycle Analysis
  • It is envisages that Versions 2 is the minimum core set of calculators
    • It could be envisaged that this core set could be a minimum package
  • Later Versions will:
    • Reinforce the core calculators
    • Improve the datasets
  • Other later Versions will provide:
    • Additional non-core calculators
    • Further datasets to support these non-core calculators
  • It is envisages that the core will be the sold as a minimum package
  • Non-core calculators and datasets may be sold as extra modules

At a Construction Excellence Award Panel:

  • Q&A Session: Q4
  • How is the data sources used verified as quality data?

GBC and Data Quality

Embodied Carbon

  • Previous versions of Whole Building calculator were based on ICE database 1 to 2
  • Early version of ICE data base includes data from old LCA following inconsistent methods giving rogue results
  • After EN 15804 standard was published all LCA and EPD could follow a consistent method for consistent
  • Now with over 10,000 EN 15804 compliant LCA and EPD
  • ICE database 3 contains many of these EPDs
  • So the Embodied carbon data sub-set is more robust and reliable

Life Cycle Assessment

  • After EN 15804 standard was published all LCA and EPD could follow a consistent method for consistent
  • Now with over 10,000 EN 15804 compliant LCA and EPD
  • EPDs are peer reviewed for consistency
  • LCA Data has been extracted to EPD to test the calculator during development
  • Other LCA data sets will be obtained as they continue to be released into the market and updated on a regular update programme

At a Construction Excellence Award Panel:

  • Q&A Session: Q5
  • What software is GBC created with?

GBC Software

  • GBC version 1 & 2 have been developed in MS Excel
  • For familiarity, easy of use, consistency and competency
  • GBC is following Open Source principles of uncomplicated software
  • GBC have every intentions to keep it that way in all future Versions
  • Any BIM APP may not follow this rule, but if it can it will

At a Construction Excellence Award Panel:

  • Q&A Session: Q6
  • Has GBC been used in real projects and what feedback have you had so far?

GBC Use and Feedback

  • The pre-curser to GBE Whole Building Calculators were used by 50 students at Post Graduate level Architecture year 5 to assess their studio projects, successfully
  • All the part time students took these calculators back to their offices and used then on live projects.
  • One ex student runs his own practice and has used it on all of his projects
  • One of the ex students approached GBC during an Architectural Competition and asked for some help with calculating U values and embodied energy and embodied and sequestered carbon for exiting concrete panels and replacement timber panels and insulation materials options.
  • The same Ex student has approached GBC about doing whole building analysis for them
  • GBC have been working with a 3 person practice to develop the scope of GBC Version 1 & 2
  • GBC Version 1 was released in June 2020
  • The same practice obtained a copy but COVID lockdown happened and all their projects are on hold.
  • So still waiting for a solid break from COVID
  • >70 copies of version 1 are out there, no negative feedback so far.
  • GBC Feedback

At a Construction Excellence Award Panel:

  • Q&A Session: Q7
  • Which job functions do you envisage using GBC?

GBC Users

  • Self Builders, Architectural Technicians, Architects, Surveyors, Interior Designers, Engineers,
  • Specification Writers, Environmental consultants, EAM Assessors
  • Design and Build, Contractor Design Portion and Energy Performance Contractors
  • Potentially: Cost Planners, Quality Surveyor, Value Engineers

Alternative Calculators are out there for:

  • Structural Engineers, Service Engineers, Highway Engineers, Civils and Infrastructure Engineers

GBC CPD on GBE website

GBC See Also:

GBE Q&A

© GBE GBC GBL NGS ASWS Brian Murphy aka BrianSpecMan **
Satellite Websites: GBE GBL
14th September 2020 – 27th June 2023


Your Questions GBC Answers C#344

Close Menu