I just wanted to say a BIG ‘Thank You’ to you, the EI and ADE for a thoroughly enjoyable event at yesterday’s ‘Heat 2014’. The choice of topics, the speakers and the venue were all first-rate. I came away with many new ideas and many new contacts to follow up on.
Alan Howard, Sector Head for Thought Leadership, IET
What's in the news? Part L
I was out and about yesterday when the changes to Part L of the Building Regulations were announced. Hence, I’ve spent some time this morning reading the media fall-out and Twittereaction to see what the general world view is of the proposed changes.
In case you missed it too, new Part L will come into force in April 2014 (delayed from October 2013) and requires a 6% improvement in the energy efficiency of new homes and a 9% improvement in the performance of new non-domestic buildings (compared to 2010 Regs). Housebuilders will have to look more closely at building fabric, whilst the non-domestic sector will have further minimum standards related air conditioning and lighting. Here’s the DECC press release.
So what’s the verdict?
First up, and in his usual, wonderful style, Andrew Warren of the Association for the Conservation of Energy:
“It has been akin to the length of an elephant’s pregnancy and it has produced a mouse.”
The UK GBC response feels more like a brave face at Christmas:
“Finally industry has the clarity on Part L that it craves. The uplift is less ambitious than any of the options originally consulted upon – even less than government’s previously ‘preferred options’, particularly for non-domestic buildings. However, the fact there is any uplift at all is good news – it’s a victory for all those who know that industry can continue to innovate, to improve standards and reduce carbon cost-effectively.”
The REA has come out fighting:
“This is a real missed opportunity, as it is often much cheaper to install renewable technologies during construction rather than retrofit.”
As have Knauf Insulation:
“The revisions are meaningless in a housing market where it is still possible to buy a house that is built to 2003 standards.”
The Home Builders Federation gave a gentle shrug:
“Today’s statement at least gives some clarity after a long period of uncertainty.”
And the RIBA were quietly disappointed:
“Our collective attempts to achieve affordable zero carbon homes with low energy costs for consumers will suffer greatly because housebuilders haven’t been encouraged enough by Government.'
Overall, there’s plenty of gratitude for the clarity, if not for the content. It doesn't feel like anyone was actually surprised by the announcement - perhaps the recent announcement from Wales was seen as a precursor. There’s also an undertow of concern that slowing down progress at this stage makes the goal of zero carbon homes by 2016 seem ever further away.
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