MHCLG issues ‘Future Buildings Standard consultation' for non-domestic buildings and existing homes
MHCLG has issued a new ‘Future Buildings Standard consultation’ which builds on the Future Homes Standard by setting out energy and ventilation standards for non-domestic buildings (L2), existing homes (L1b) and to mitigate against overheating in residential buildings and also some extra questions on outcomes generated from the previous consultation.
As before the intent is to have new regulations (interim) proposed “from 2021 and onwards” on the journey to 2025.
Its scope consists of:
Non-domestic buildings
A vision for the Future Buildings Standard that we propose will start to apply to new non-domestic buildings from 2025 onwards.
The Government’s preferred option to uplift energy efficiency standards for new non-domestic buildings in 2021 which is intended to deliver a 27% reduction in carbon emissions on average per building compared to the existing Part L standard. As well as improving the energy efficiency of new buildings in the short term, the interim uplift will ensure that construction professionals and supply chains are working to higher specifications in readiness for the proposed introduction of the Future Buildings Standard from 2025.
Improvements to the non-domestic energy modelling methodologies.
Improvements to standards when work is carried out in existing non-domestic buildings.
Changes to Part F (ventilation) and its associated Approved Document guidance, for both new and existing non-domestic buildings.
Proposals to introduce a new overheating mitigation requirement in the Building Regulations for new non-domestic buildings which are classed as ‘residential’.
Domestic buildings
Proposals to introduce a new overheating mitigation requirement in the Building Regulations for new homes.
Improvements to standards when work is carried out in existing homes.
Reconsulting on the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard, as well as other standards for building services in new homes and guidance on the calibration of devices that carry out airtightness testing.
Changes to Part F (ventilation) and its associated Approved Document guidance.
Read the new consultation. (Deadline is 13th April 2021.)
Stuart Fairlie, Technical and Operations Manager at Elmhurst Energy comments: “We are delighted to see the long awaited consultation on L1b, L2 and Overheating. We will as always, thoroughly analyse the detail, fully engage with all our expert members before responding. It certainly appears that Government wish to get the new regulations implemented in 2021, which clearly is going to be tight. Looks like 2021 will be a very busy and exciting year for all our members.”