Latest News

BRE Excess Cold Calculator

14 Dec 2018: New version (1.3.0) of XCC now released

The main changes in this version are:

  • Automatic update of default energy prices
  • Improvements to error reporting
  • Various security and library updates
  • Bug fixes




06 Dec 2017: Changes to suggested U-values

Following the publication of new research into U-values for existing buildings, the suggested U-values for the following wall types have been adjusted in the calculator:

Wall typePrevious suggested U-valueUpdated suggested U-value
Pre 1967 9 inch solid brick wall2.11.7
Pre 1976 uninsulated cavity wall1.6 - 2.11.5
Pre 1976 insulated cavity wall0.50.7

The SAP consultation paper on the subject can be accessed here
As further research emerges, we will update the values in the calculator accordingly.



04 Dec 2013: New version (1.0.0) of XCC now released

The main changes in this version are:

  • PDF reports can now be created. Previously created PDFs are listed and can be viewed directly without re-running the calculation.
  • Cases created by other users can be easily recreated in your account, depending on sharing permissions set by the original case creator.
  • A watermark has been added to reports produced by unlicensed users.
  • An updated user guide available for download (v1.1).
  • An improvement to the way individual room data is processed.
  • Minor graphical enhancement to temperature reporting.
  • Minor enhancement to the user interface help message display.




06 Nov 2013: New version (0.8.0) of XCC now released

Drawing on suggestions and feedback from both live and test users during this pilot phase of the XCC tool we have implemented a few small updates.

The main changes in this version are:

  • Addition of new wall, floor and window types to the U-value help section.
  • Addition of a Fuel units converter to the help section.
  • Addition of an Air Change Rate calculator to the help section.
  • Collection of property type and age in the Case Information section.
  • Graphical enhancements to fuel cost reporting.
  • An updated user guide available for download.
  • Default external temperature in the Room Data section will now be set to -3°C for new cases.
  • A change to the way secondary heating is assigned for dwellings with old electric storage heaters.
  • A correction to the way the boiler efficiency value is stored.




04 Oct 2013: Launch of live pilot version for Local Authorities of the Excess Cold Calculator

Following an earlier test version to demonstrate the concept of the tool to a group of test users, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Excess Cold Calculator.

The launch will initially be in the form of a live pilot for Local Authorities and users will receive a free 30 day trial of the website.

Any feedback will be welcomed via the link to the feedback form at the top of the website



01 Oct 2013: Excess Cold user guide now available for download

A user guide for the Excess Cold tool can now be obtained in pdf format via the Download page



10 Sep 2013: Launch of beta version for testing of web based Excess Cold Calculator

Following an earlier spreadsheet based version to demonstrate the concept of the tool to a group of around 30 Environmental Health Practitioners and Technical Officers, improvements to the methodology have been made and a web-based version has been created. This is intended to be the on-going platform for the Calculator. Not all functionality is yet in place. This beta version is intended to test the platform and to demonstrate the currently available functionality to potential users.

The BRE development team would welcome feedback on the tool through the Feedback page of this site.

To access this beta tool requires users to provide inputs regarding Excess Cold tool variables for the household. Further information on these variables is found here. In addition, the tool allows the impact of different packages of measures to be evaluated. The tool then performs calculations to determine the estimated energy consumption of the household and the likely energy use resulting from various alternative heating systems.

To continue please choose an option from the menu on the right.