Building Regulations Changes in England Take Effect today on 15th June 2022
Here is What You Need to Know
Building regulations have changed this week – make sure you’re up to date
What’s changed and how will you be affected?
Significant changes to building regulations come into effect today, 15 June 2022. The changes are aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings to help the country move towards its targets for Net Zero by 2050.
What this means is that the Government wants to reduce our current carbon emissions, and with construction being a major contributor, everyone within this sector must play their part.
There are more changes planned for 2025 to make buildings even more energy efficient. These measures are a starting point, and are aimed make the changes planned for 2025 less severe for builders and also to help cut carbon emissions in the meantime.
Why are these changes happening?
According to figures from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, heating and powering buildings currently accounts for 40% of the UK’s total energy usage. So, by implementing these new building regulations that help reduce the need for heat and power in buildings, the UK can make great strides towards its carbon zero ambitions.
So which parts of the building regulations are changing?
The changes to improve energy efficiency in buildings and the systems to support this are in new Approved Documents L, F and O. These documents will reflect the new requirements that buildings must adhere to support the improvements to lower carbon emissions. In simple terms, part L looks at the energy efficiency of properties, part F will look to improve ventilation and part O looks to ensure buildings don’t overheat.
Alongside these changes to energy efficiency, there will be the new Approved Document S, which covers how a building includes infrastructure for electric vehicles. From June all new homes will have to have charging points for electric vehicles.
These are the key changes to be aware of:
Reduction of carbon emissions in domestic new builds by 31%
From 15th June 2022, new build homes will need to produce at least 31% less carbon emissions. The government sees the installation of electric central heating systems as an enabler of this, particularly when combined with a renewable energy source such as solar. Heat pumps are also getting strong support as part of the Future Homes Standard.
Reduction of carbon emissions in non-domestic new builds by 27%
New non-domestic builds will need to produce at least 27% less carbon emissions. Again, the installation of low-carbon heating technology is seen as the best route to achieve this.
New metric for measuring energy efficiency
‘Primary energy’ will be used to measure the efficiency of a building’s heating, as well as the energy used to deliver fuel to the building, and even the efficiency of the power station supplying the electricity.
New minimum efficiency standards
In new domestic builds, the new U-value for walls will be 0.18W/m², 1.4 (Window Energy Rating Band B) for windows and rooflights, and 1.4. for doors. In non-domestic builds there’s a lowered U-value of 0.26W/m² K for walls and the majority of new windows and curtain walls must achieve 1.6.
New maximum flow temperature
New and replacement heating systems in both domestic and non-domestic builds must have a max flow temperature of 55°C.
Heating and lighting system efficiency
Existing non-domestic buildings must improve the efficiency of heating and hot water boiler systems through the installation of new controls. In new non-domestic buildings, the minimum lighting efficacy will be raised to 80 luminaire lumens per circuit watt for display lighting and 95 luminaire lumens for general lighting.
Ventilation and indoor air pollutants
Background trickle ventilators will be recommended in non-domestic buildings, along with the requirement for installation of CO2 monitors in offices. The new guidance will also stipulate a recommended minimum air supply rate of 0.5 l/s.m².
Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES)
The FEES level in new homes will be set by a ‘full fabric specification’ and SAP compliance will now be applied to extensions built on existing properties.
Prevention of overheating
The new Approved Document: Approved Document O introduces glazing limits in new build homes, care homes, schools and student accommodation to reduce unwanted solar heat. It also stipulates new levels of cross-ventilation required to remove excess heat.
Electric vehicle charging points
The new Approved Document S requires all domestic new builds to have the preparatory work completed for the future installation of an electric vehicle charge point. You can get up to speed on all the government’s Approved Documents in our UK Building Regulations guide
Information from Checkatrade website
What if my building is currently in the planning process?
If a building notice, initial notice, or full plans are submitted before 15 June 2022, they will still be considered under the previous regulations, provided building work starts before 15 June 2023.
For new housing developments that gained planning permission under the old regulations, work must have been started on a unit by 15 June 2023 or the new regulations will apply.
For work that falls under these new regulations, but are not subject to notices or applications, there are no transitional arrangements. This means the new rules must be followed from 15 June 2022.
What happens if I don’t follow building regulations?
If you don’t follow building regulations, your local authority may serve you with an enforcement notice and legal action may be taken.
For all the details on these new changes, please refer to the information on the governments website
Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure that these new regulations are met.
Our team are familiar with all these changes and can advise accordingly.
We do hope you’ve found our info helpful.
Note. If you are planning to refurbish your property to make it more energy efficient or are building a new home then CLPM can advise you on how best to insulate your home- click here to find out more.
Note CLPM also offer independent heating system advice and can help you choose the correct system for your needs – click here for more information.
