Falcon Energy

31/08/2026

Building something commercial? Offices, retail units, warehouses and mixed-use developments all need SBEM calculations to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations Part L before work starts and again at completion.

SBEM is the commercial equivalent of SAP, and like SAP, the earlier you bring in an assessor, the better. Leaving it late can mean rushed specifications, last-minute design changes, and delays to your planning or building control approval.

At Falcon Energy, we provide SBEM calculations for commercial projects of all sizes across the South East. Free, no-obligation quotes available.

24/08/2026

What is sound insulation testing and when do you need it?

If you're converting a house into flats, building terraced or semi-detached homes, or completing any development where there are separating walls or floors between dwellings, you'll almost certainly need sound insulation testing under Building Regulations Part E.

The test measures airborne sound (voices, music, TV) and impact sound (footsteps) through the separating elements. Results need to hit specific performance targets before building control will sign off the project.

Failures are usually down to gaps in the construction, unsealed penetrations, poorly fitted resilient layers, or workmanship issues at junctions. Like air tightness, a pre-check before the test can save a lot of time and stress on the day.

Falcon Energy carries out sound insulation testing across Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

18/08/2026

August is one of the busiest months for new build completions.

If you've got plots reaching practical completion and still need air tightness testing, EPCs or sound insulation testing to get signed off, don't let certification be the thing that holds you up.

Falcon Energy offers flexible scheduling and fast certificate turnaround. Get in touch early and we'll work around your programme. 📞 01403 253439

30/07/2026

What does an air tightness test actually involve?

If you're building a new home or completing a conversion, you'll likely need an air tightness test before you can get your final EPC and building control sign-off.

Here's how it works. A calibrated fan is temporarily fitted into an external door. The building is pressurised and depressurised, and the equipment measures how much air is leaking through the fabric — around windows, doors, floors, loft hatches, and anywhere services pe*****te the structure.

The result is given as an air permeability figure (m³/h.m²). Building Regulations Part L sets a maximum, but many developers aim lower than the minimum to improve energy performance and SAP scores.

Common failure points include gaps around soil pipes and cables, poorly sealed window and door frames, and incomplete junctions at floors and ceilings. Most can be fixed on the day with basic materials, which is why it's worth doing a pre-check walk-round before the test itself.

We carry out air tightness testing across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, with fast certificate turnaround. Get in touch with us today to arrange your test.

21/07/2026

Summer is the ideal time to install an air source heat pump.

As MCS-certified installers, we handle everything from initial advice through to a fully commissioned system, and we're Mitsubishi Ecodan accredited and Trustmark registered. 🌿

16/07/2026

Summer is actually a great time to plan ahead for Winter. Thermographic testing identifies where heat is escaping through your building fabric, such as poor insulation, cold bridges, and gaps around windows and doors.

Spot the problems now and fix them before the cold weather arrives. We offer thermal imaging surveys across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, get in touch with us on 01403 253439

01/07/2026

A failed SAP calculation can delay your build sign-off, hold up the final EPC, and mean costly last-minute changes. Here's what usually goes wrong.

The most common causes include poor insulation U-values, inefficient heating systems, poor air tightness, thermal bridging, and specification changes made during construction that nobody fed back to the SAP assessor.
The good news is that most of these are avoidable if you get your SAP assessment started early enough in the design process.

We've put together a full guide covering the most common failure points and exactly how to fix them.

👉 Read the full blog: https://www.falconenergy.co.uk/common-reasons-sap-calculations-fail/

Discover the most common reasons SAP calculations fail, including poor U-values, air tightness, heating systems and thermal bridging, plus practical ways to fix them.

23/06/2026

EPC rules for rental properties are changing, and both landlords and renters should be paying attention.

The government plans to raise the minimum EPC rating for privately rented homes from E to C by 2030. That's a significant shift, and for landlords, it means now is the time to review your current certificates and start planning any upgrades — not leaving it until the deadline looms.

For renters, a property's EPC can tell you a lot before you sign anything: expected running costs, how well insulated it is, and whether the landlord has already made improvements. It's worth asking to see it.

We've put together a full guide covering what's changing, what renters should look for, and how landlords can prepare.

👉 Read the full blog:

Learn how EPC assessments are changing, what renters should check, and how landlords can prepare for future EPC rating rules.

17/06/2026

⚠️ EPC rules are tightening, if your rental property's energy performance certificate is out of date or below the required rating, you could face restrictions on letting.

Falcon Energy offers fast, competitive EPC assessments across Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Don't leave it to the last minute, get in touch with us today

09/06/2026

Since 2006, we have been the go-to energy assessment specialist across the South East.

Whether it's SAP calculations for a new development, thermographic testing, or a commercial SBEM report, our team delivers fast turnarounds and expert advice you can rely on.

Accredited, independent, and local to Horsham, we're a great option for your energy assessment needs.