LOW ENERGY CONSULTANCY

In addition to energy engineering and system design, Gale & Snowden offer a multi-faceted low energy consultancy service. This service is an integrated approach considering architectural elements such as passive shape and form, fabric elements, façade engineering as well as energy engineering

We also offer monitoring of newly developed and established existing buildings to assess their performance against industry benchmarks and targets deemed achievable during the design process. For established buildings this can provide solutions for reducing energy consumption and improving the control and operation of existing systems. For new buildings this can provide a seasonal commissioning and fine-tuning exercise to see if the building is performing as well as expected

ZERO CARBON

Gale & Snowden provides both design and consultancy services to achieve zero carbon for new build or deep retrofit projects

Fully conversant and experienced in Part L1 and L2 of the energy regulations for buildings and we offer the following services:

  • Domestic On Construction SAP (Part L1A) assessments and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
  • Non-domestic levels 3 & level 4 (Part L2A) assessments using SBEM and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
  • Non-domestic level 5 (Part L2A) assessments using the DSM dynamic simulation method and DSM Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
  • Fully conversant in carbon modelling and thermal modelling of buildings ranging from buildings with simple energy systems to buildings that have complex energy systems such as hospitals
  • Carbon modelling as part of pre-planning feasibility studies
  • Low to zero carbon energy assessments and strategic advice
  • Low carbon life cycle analysis
  • Low energy feasibility studies

ENERGY ASSESSMENTS

Gale & Snowden provides energy assessments and monitoring for existing buildings and building troubleshooting consultancy including:

  • Energy and engineering surveys of existing buildings and plant
  • Low energy strategies & feasibility reports for existing buildings
  • Energy monitoring for existing plant and buildings
  • Commission witnessing of MEP systems
  • Life cycle analysis

Monitoring of newly developed and established existing buildings to assess their performance against industry benchmarks and targets deemed achievable during the design process. For established buildings this can provide solutions for reducing energy consumption and improving the control and operation of existing systems; for new buildings this can provide a seasonal commissioning and fine-tuning exercise to ascertain if the building is performing as well as expected.

THERMAL MODELLING

As part of the architectural design process Gale & Snowden provides a dynamic thermal modelling service. Our mechanical engineering team has over 20 years’ experience with the aim to minimise the requirement for active mechanical systems whilst still maintaining adequate internal comfort conditions throughout the daily and annual cyclic weather conditions in any given location.

Key elements

  • Dynamically assessing designs to optimise comfort strategies to optimise daylight, minimise heat loss, and to ensure buildings do not overheat.
  • Daylight modelling to ensure adequate daylight levels and reduce electrical lighting loads.
  • Summertime overheating modelling to design passive buildings that do not overheat and require air conditioning.
  • Natural ventilation modelling whether via stack effect or cross flow.
  • Thermal modelling to develop façade design – brise soleils, overhangs, shading, window strategies

3D DYNAMIC MODELLING

Our 3D modelling software runs real time weather and building simulations against any proposed design paying emphasis to the building’s interaction with the sun and wind. Real time weather data utilised during this process is derived from the MET Office’s historical records for the region, considering any likely future global warming scenarios.

As part of the process, specific attention is given to the buildings location and orientation including prevailing daily and yearly weather conditions, thermal mass, natural ventilation strategy, glazing details and shading properties, plus the building’s façade and how solar enhancing or shading devices can be incorporated.

Detailed control strategies can also be incorporated within the modelling process to determine the optimum operating parameters whether it be via user manual control or natural ventilation systems which open via actuated time and temperature controls.