Will new Building Regs mean greener homes?

Updated rules will soon require new homes to be more energy efficient, as well as better ventilated and connected. Let's welcome the changes, says David Hilton

- DAVID HIILTON

It is very positive that there are a number of new editions of the Building Regulations. "Not more rules!" I hear you scream. Well, don't see them as rules but more as guidance - guidance that we all need to follow and embrace. After all, as self-builders and renovators, we are usually looking for more than just a house. What we want is a quality home that is as good today as it will be tomorrow.

The 15 December amendments to the Building Regulations include uplifts to Part F (ventilation) and Part L (fuel and power), and there are new Approved Documents for overheating (Part O) and charging electric vehicles at home (Part S).

The new rules will come into effect on 15 June 2022, and it is reassuring to note that the old standards will only be valid for one year from that date, meaning that projects using the old standards must commence before 15 June 2023 rather than the usual three-year period.

HOW WILL THE NEW REGS AFFECT SELF-BUILDERS?

Building Regulations can often strike fear and confusion into even the most experienced builders and designers, and Approved Documents are very wordy, but essentially they are the guidance on how to meet the requirements of the regulations. However, while they can be open to interpretation, please do not look for the cheapest way to comply but rather the best way to optimize the results.

According to government sources, heating and powering buildings currently make up around 40% of total energy use. The ambition is to reduce this significantly, and from June 2022 all new homes must produce 30% less carbon dioxide emissions than current standards.