Custom software for the BENG calculation file
Appfront builds software for energy advisers, architects and contractors who want to keep the BENG calculation file of a project up to date. The calculation under NTA 8800, the assumptions, the supporting evidence for products and installations, and every new version following a design change are kept together. From the calculation at application to the one at handover, you can see what changed and why.
What is software for the BENG calculation file?
For new builds, the requirements for nearly zero-energy buildings, BENG, apply. There are three indicators: the energy demand, the primary fossil energy use and the share of renewable energy, and for dwellings an additional requirement on the risk of excessive summer temperatures. The values are determined using the NTA 8800 calculation method. Under the Environment and Planning Act, the requirements form part of the Buildings Environment Decree.
In practice, a BENG calculation is made early, for the application, and then rarely kept properly up to date. The design changes, one installation is replaced by another, a window frame gets different glazing, and the calculation falls behind. Supporting evidence for the chosen products sits in email. At handover, you have to demonstrate that what was built matches what was calculated, and then the search begins.
We build custom solutions because firms and builders differ: which calculation software you use, how many projects you run at once, who prepares the calculation and who checks it, and how the file reaches the quality assessor or the competent authority. Which requirements apply to your project and how they must be demonstrated is determined with your adviser; the software keeps the file in order.
All in one place
Calculations, assumptions and supporting evidence per project, all in one place rather than scattered across email.
Versions per change
Every design change becomes a new version with an explanation, and a comparison with the previous one.
From application to handover
From the calculation submitted with the application to the one based on what was built, in one file.
How we build your BENG calculation file software
We start with how you work: which calculation software you use, which projects, who calculates and who checks, and where the file currently gets lost. The calculation itself stays in the calculation software you use. We build the file around it, so inputs, results and evidence stay together and every version can be found again.
Your calculation software, projects, roles and the route to the quality assessor or municipality.
Buildings, calculations, assumptions and supporting evidence per project.
A new version for each design change, with an explanation and comparison.
The as-built file, handover, and ongoing maintenance.
What BENG calculation file software actually does
The elements below come up in almost every BENG file. Which ones you need depends on your projects.
Projects
Buildings and dwelling types per project.
Calculations
Results according to NTA 8800 per version.
Assumptions
Assumptions and inputs for each calculation.
Supporting evidence
Product data for building components and installations.
Versions
Changes with explanation and comparison.
Handover
The file to the quality assessor or municipality.
Who BENG calculation file software is built for
The software is intended for anyone who prepares, uses or receives BENG calculations.
Energy advisers
Many projects at once. Versions are the core.
Architects
Designs change often. The comparison matters most.
Contractors
Handover has to add up. The supporting evidence is what's needed.
Quality assessors
Files from others. The overview is the core.
Test your idea first: a working prototype in 1 day
With OneDayBuild, we turn your idea into something tangible in one day for €1,150, so you can see whether further development is worth the investment. Decide to go ahead with the full build? Then we credit the full cost.
Explore OneDayBuild →Technology and integrations
This page is about the BENG calculation file. For energy labels of existing buildings, see our page on an energy label app; for applications, our page on an app for the environmental permit application file; and for quality assurance, our page on an integration for the competent authority file. You can read about our approach at software development.
Why Appfront for your BENG calculation file software?
A calculation that lags behind the design proves nothing at handover. That's what we build on: everything together, a version per change, and a file that holds up from application to handover.
No more searching
Calculation and evidence sit together.
Changes explained
Every version with an explanation.
Handover adds up
What was built, alongside what was calculated.
Security and privacy in BENG calculation file software
The software holds project data, designs and calculations from clients. Access is set up by role and by project, and a client or quality assessor sees only their own project.
The software runs in a European data centre, with encrypted storage, daily back-ups and sign-in with a second factor.
Frequently asked questions about BENG calculation file software
Questions advisers and builders ask before getting started.
It keeps the NTA 8800 calculations per project, along with the assumptions and supporting evidence, creates a new version with every design change, compares versions, and compiles the file for the application and for handover.
No. The calculation is made in approved calculation software according to NTA 8800. Our software retrieves the results and inputs from it, or receives them as a file, and builds the file around them.
That depends on the type of building and the situation. The requirements are set out in the Besluit bouwwerken leefomgeving, and the calculation method was recently revised. Which requirements apply and how they must be demonstrated is for you to determine with your energy adviser or quality assessor.
A change gets a new version of the calculation, with a note on what changed. The software places the results alongside the previous version, so you can see straight away whether the requirements are still being met.
The calculation based on what has actually been built, with the evidence documents for the products and installations used, and the versions that preceded them. Agree with the quality assessor or municipality exactly what needs to be included.
Where the calculation software has an interface or an export, we retrieve the inputs and outputs automatically. Otherwise, the report is attached as a file and the key figures are recorded.
Check that first. Some calculation software stores projects and variants, and that is enough if you only do calculations. Custom software makes sense if you want evidence, versions and handovers per project in one place, or if several parties work on a single file.
A BENG file that holds up at handover?
Tell us which calculation software you use, how many projects you run at the same time and how the file currently reaches the quality assessor or municipality. We will show you what the file looks like.