| | SEDBUK
SEDBUK was developed under the Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme with the co-operation of boiler manufacturers, and provides a basis for fair comparison of the energy performance of different boilers.
SEDBUK is the average annual efficiency achieved in typical domestic conditions, making reasonable assumptions about pattern of usage, climate, control, and other influences. It is calculated from the results of standard laboratory tests together with other important factors such as boiler type, ignition arrangement, internal store size, fuel used, and knowledge of the UK climate and typical domestic usage patterns.
For estimating annual fuel costs SEDBUK is a better guide than laboratory test results alone. It can be applied to most gas and oil domestic boilers for which data is available from tests conducted to the relevant European standards. The SEDBUK method is used in SAP.
The SEDBUK development project
The purpose of the project was to develop a method for calculating seasonal efficiency for individual central heating boilers to use in the UK Building Regulations, Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power).
The project took place over a period of three years, during which a theoretical seasonal efficiency model was developed for simple boilers and then adapted to include other types. Experimental data obtained from detailed laboratory tests on over 20 different boilers, supported by data from field trials in 99 homes, was used to validate the theoretical assumptions. This allowed fuel usage data (termed "signature") to be related to efficiency test results supplied by manufacturers.
The work was carried out for BRECSU on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, with BG Technology as the main contractor to provide technical expertise. At each stage the findings were debated and agreed by members of the boiler efficiency project team, who represented:-
| Advantica (formerly BG Technology) |  |
| | BRE (Building Research Establishment) |  |
| | CBF (Condensing Boiler Forum) | |
| | FAERO (Federation of Authorised Energy Rating Organisations) |  |
| | MODUSSE (Manufacturers of Domestic Unvented Supply Systems Equipment) | |
| | OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry) |  |
| | SBGI (Society of British Gas Industries) |  |
| | WMA (Waterheater Manufacturers' Association) |  |
| |
