Taking advantage of the changes
As this article was going to press it was beginning to look likely that the implementation of the new Part L of the Building Regulations would be delayed by six months to October 2010.
The consultation process that had been due to start at Easter was still held up in the Minister´s office.
The current economic climate and the furor over MPs´ expenses were credible yet deflating reasons for the delay, but a more positive outlook might be that the ambitious targets set by the revisions to the 2006 regulations called for further debate.
It has become clear that the government has taken on board many of the industry´s observations about the flaws in the current regulations and the new version looks like being a major improvement.
All new homes will have to emit 25% less carbon dioxide than those built to the 2006 standards, and the new levels will be assessed in terms of energy efficiency rather than simply in levels of carbon.
The most fundamental flaw in the existing regulations is its focus on emissions rather than energy efficiency.
Currently, it is possible to meet the target emissions rate (TER) that forms a key part of the regulations by using a low carbon fuel source such as biomass for heating even if the energy efficiency of the installation was not particularly good.
The new TER that will form part of the 2010 regulations will be fuel-based so you will still have to meet stringent energy efficiency targets whatever your choice of fuel.
That means opting for a biomass boiler without addressing the other energy elements of the home will not be enough.
There will have to be some flexibility for rural communities off the gas grid.
The energy consumption targets will assume the building is heated by LPG or oil and emissions from electric heating systems will be capped at the same level as oil.
There are highly qualified engineers out there desperately trying to calculate carbon factors to work out the best choice of fuel to meet emissions targets.
Yet, we have very little idea of where our electricity will be coming from in the next few years as we gradually run down our nuclear capacity.
All the talk of de-carbonising the National Grid is laudable, but to deliver real environmental benefits and security of long-term supply we need to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we consume.
The changes to Part L are also geared towards ensuring the government´s timetable for delivering net zero carbon emission homes by 2016 — as laid out in the evolving Code for Sustainable Homes — is met.
In 2013, we will face another 25% step forward in emissions reductions and officials say the government will not be deflected from this path, despite the current slowdown in the newbuild housing market.
Eventually, the market will turn up again and, when it does, all the new homes built will have to be low or zero carbon to meet the new regulations.
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The government is also tightening up some of the ways that energy efficiency is measured.
The standard assessment procedure (SAP), used to produce energy performance certificates that prove the home complies with the regulations, will be based on monthly consumption figures rather than the annual energy calculation previously used.
Part L will also be an important tool for tackling energy wasted by existing homes.
The government is considering a plan to remove the 1,000sq metre threshold for consequential improvements.
This means that significant refurbishment work carried out on any size of building will require the owner to pay for energy efficiency improvements throughout the rest of the property.
Over-heating has become a primary consideration for planning officials as the climate changes and temperatures rise, so the ability to design living spaces that do not require air conditioning to remain comfortable, particularly during summer heat waves, will be emphasised in Part L.
It is an ambitious set of changes and the revised regulations will certainly keep us on our toes when they do eventually come into force.
However, the changes are also a potentially valuable source of new work for our industry and it is important that all heating designers and installers keep a close eye on developments so they are well placed to take advantage.
