Which DesignBuilder version should I use for EPC lodgement?

In the majority of cases it is necessary to lodge an EPC with the latest approved version of DesignBuilder

(see DesignBuilder Software Ltd - UK Energy Assessors)

The official guidance from the NCM Modelling Guide says:

For producing EPCs, the most recently approved version of the adopted software tool should be used, unless the latest version has been released less than one calendar month prior to the assessment date. In such cases, the immediately previous version of the tool may be used. 

For newly constructed buildings, the version used to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations may also be used to produce the EPC.

Note that:

• The register may not check the precise version of the software (ie both the interface version and the version of EPCgen*). 

So, for example, it could check (based on approved versions at the time of writing):

• Both DesignBuilder v7.3.1 & SBEM v6.1.e
• SBEM v6.1.e only (thus potentially accepting v7.2.0 & v7.1.4 & v7.1.3)
• Any SBEM v6.1 (thus potentially accepting v7.1.2 & v7.1.0)

When lodging XMLs for 'Newly Constructed Buildings' the Transaction Type must be set to 'Mandatory issue (property on construction)'. A change to the UK Register (used for all nations excepting Scotland) in 2021 means that English, Welsh and Northern Ireland lodgements must use software produced after June 2021. This means that:

• First lodgements for buildings constructed under 2010 (England & Wales) & 2012 (NI) regulations must be generated using DesignBuilder v6.1.8 & SBEM v4.1.h
• First lodgements for buildings constructed under 2013 (England) & 2014 (Wales) regulations must be generated using DesignBuilder v6.1.8 & SBEM v5.6.b

You are advised to save the model used for Building Regulation calculations in the version used for that purpose before loading the model in a different version for lodgement.

Scotland

Scotland uses a separate register. Currently it does not appear to be very strict in checking software versions. It is therefore important you:

• Ensure that you are using a version of DesignBuilder that has been approved by the Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government. 
• Check with your Accreditation Scheme or ScottishEPCHelpdesk@est.org.uk  if you are unsure about lodging with an older version of DesignBuilder. 

Ireland

We do not have access to the register used by SEAI. It is best to check with SEAI (Registered@ber.seai.ie) if you are using anything other than the most recently approved version (for SBEMie) of DesignBuilder.

* EPCgen is a component of SBEM (also used by DSM) and used to generate the XML.