With the revised and updated Approved Document Part L for England coming into force on June 15th, 2022, take a look at the background to the changes and some of the key updates which will help us support our customers better.
The UK was the first major world economy to pass a net zero emissions target into law requiring the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Research data from 2018 shows that heating and powering homes accounted for 22% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. To assist in reaching the ambitious targets set, the Future Homes Standard consultation reviewed improvements to the current building regulations aiming to ensure new build homes and buildings are designed to improve energy efficiency standards, through changes to guidance documents Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power), Part F (Ventilation) and a new document Part O (Overheating).
The Future Homes Standard aims to future-proof homes by cutting reliance on fossil-fuelled systems, utilising low carbon technologies and implementing high levels of energy efficiency, including improvements to the as-built performance, thereby raising standards by 2025. From 2025 new homes will have CO2 emissions at least 75% lower than those built to current standards, building homes fit for the future, sustainable and affordable. New homes will be required to be future-proofed and built to a high standard of efficiency measures.
Full technical consultation for the launch of the Future Buildings Standard will begin in 2023 looking at improvements to the energy efficiency of non-domestic buildings as well as energy efficiency and overheating in new and retrofit homes. In Scotland, similarly, the Heat in Buildings Strategy sets out a pathway to net zero by 2040. Wales has launched a Net Zero Wales plan shaping the way to meet net zero by 2050.
Main changes to Approved Document L
- Guidance documents for new build, existing dwellings and buildings other than dwellings, are now released in two documents
- All new homes must be designed and built to produce 31% less CO2 emissions with a 27% reduction for other buildings including offices and shops
- New buildings should be built to a minimum standard of energy performance with the fabric and fuel choice having an impact on the overall efficiencies
- Included are backstop and notional building U-values that can be used as a reference point for meeting compliance
- Tightened standard of workmanship, which is key to achieving the designed performance and future-proofing homes
- Sample air tightness testing will no longer be permitted, with all new dwellings requiring pressure testing for air tightness compliance
