Changes to Building Regulations Part L

In early 2021, the UK government published the Future Buildings Standards consultation document, which outlines proposed changes to building regulations that are set to apply from June 2022. These changes aim to reduce carbon emissions and improve the energy efficiency of new buildings across the country.

Starting from June 2022, all new homes in the UK will be expected to produce 30% less CO2 emissions than is currently accepted by the preceding Part L. Additionally, all other buildings, including commercial and industrial structures, must produce 27% fewer CO2 emissions than the current permitted levels. This represents a significant step forward in the UK’s efforts to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

The new proposals also include specific requirements for certain features of buildings. For example, all showers must have waste water heating recovery, and heating system flow temperatures must not exceed 55° C. Furthermore, photovoltaics must be proportional to the ground floor area of the building. Additionally, there are regulated thermal properties for key building elements, such as walls, windows, floors, and roofs, that must be adhered to. These U-values are set at 0.18 for walls, 1.2 for windows, 0.13 for floors, and 0.11 for roofs.

The implementation of these new regulations means that careful consideration is required when deciding upon the build-up and fabric properties of the structure. The thermal properties of the building elements must be considered during the design stage to ensure they meet the required U-values and reduce CO2 emissions.

At our consultancy, we understand the challenges that these new regulations may present to building designers, architects, and contractors. We offer our expertise to assist during the project design stage to ensure that CO2 emissions and thermal U-values are adhered to, and that the building meets the new regulatory requirements. We are committed to supporting our clients in creating more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings that contribute to a more sustainable future.