Plant size ratio PSR
The plant size ratio (PSR) is the nominal heat output of a heating plant divided by the design heat loss (the average heat loss of the building on a cold day with a temperature differential of 24.2°C).
Note: The heating plant emission rate includes any auxiliary space and water heating that may be necessary, i.e. it represents the performance of all heating plant needed to provide space and water hating service to the building, assuming a standard demand pattern. For a given heat demand, the plant size ratio determines the part-load condition for the heating plant.
The SAP Supporting Document:: "Calculation Method: CALCM:01. SAP Revised heat pump performance method Issue 1.2" published by BRE 5 September 2017 mentions Plant Size Ratio (PSR) thus:
"Heat pump annual performance calculations were first introduced in SAP 2005 via a SAP Appendix Q procedure. In SAP 2009 they were adopted and included in a newly expanded SAP appendix (Appendix N) which includes provision for heat-led micro-cogeneration. Heat pumps were included in the same appendix as cogeneration because both technologies have an annual performance that is highly dependent on the plant heating capacity divided by the design heat loss of a dwelling. This is known as the Plant Size Ratio (PSR)."
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accredited energy assessor.
- Air tightness.
- Are Energy Performance Certificates accurate?
- BS EN 15232 Energy performance of buildings: impact of building automation, controls and building management.
- Building energy models.
- Building heating systems.
- Building performance metrics.
- Building services compliance with the building regulations.
- Building services.
- Carbon ratings for buildings.
- Corrosion in heating and cooling systems.
- Display energy certificate.
- Domestic building services compliance guide.
- Emission rates.
- Energy certificates for buildings.
- Energy performance certificate EPC.
- Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
- Energy related products regulations.
- Gross calorific value.
- Heat pump.
- Heat recovery.
- Heating.
- Heating plant emission rate.
- Heating system glandless circulator.
- Low carbon heating and cooling.
- Minimum energy efficiency standard (MEES).
- National Calculation Method.
- National Retrofit Strategy NRS.
- Non-domestic building services compliance guide.
- Overheating.
- Performance gap.
- Product Characteristics Database
- Radiant heating.
- SAP.
- Simplified Building Energy Model.
- Space heating system.
- The EPC consultation in the context of changes to the NCM.
- The Home Energy Model and Future Homes Standard assessment wrapper.
- Underfloor heating.
- U-value conventions in practice: Worked examples using BR 443.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
























