Each year, Elmhurst responds to a number of energy efficiency consultations released by government departments across the UK. Consultations are released to provoke thought and discussion within the industry which in turn can help government departments to develop effective energy efficiency strategy and policies.
Elmhurst's Responses
Elmhurst actively encourages members to respond to all relevant energy efficiency consultations, and always considers their views and opinions when developing our own response. The Elmhurst Almanac highlights what we believe are the highest priority actions for government and industry to reduce fuel poverty, energy consumption and our impact on climate change.
This document forms the basis for a lot of our responses, to ensure that our members remain at the heart of all future energy policy.
READ THE ELMHURST ALMANAC >Open Consultations
The consultations listed below are currently open and can be responded to. Elmhurst will also be providing links to any draft responses here.
Support for low carbon heat in the residential sector
Released by: Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland)
Release date: 8th Oct 2024
Response Deadline: 31st Dec 2024
Overview
The purpose of this consultation is to discuss a number of key questions and evaluate support options for low carbon heating technologies within the residential sector.
Previous Consultations
Important consultations that have already been released and responded to can be found below. Each includes a link to the closed consultation or outcome as well as Elmhurst’s final response. Outcomes of these consultations will also be shared via our latest news and media channels.
BS 40104 Retrofit assessment for domestic dwellings – Code of practice
Released by: British Standards Institution
Release date: 22nd July 2024
Response Deadline: 22nd Sept 2024
Overview
The British Standards Institute (BSI) has released a public consultation on ‘BS 40104 Retrofit assessment for domestic dwellings – Code of practice’, otherwise known as the Retrofit Assessor Standard. The consultation seeks views and feedback on the new Standard, which aims to provide a standardised framework for the method of retrofit assessment.
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The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation
Released by: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Release date: 13th December 2023
Response Deadline: 27th March 2024
Overview
his consultation sets out our plans for achieving the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard. It sets out technical proposals for changes to the Building Regulations, the associated Approved Document guidance and calculation methods.
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Home Energy Model: replacement for the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)
Released by: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Released date: 13th December 2023
Response Deadline: 27th March 2024
Overview
This consultation seeks views on the new Home Energy Model which will replace the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for the energy rating of homes.
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Heat Strategy for Wales
Released by: Welsh Government
Release date: 17th Aug 2023
Response Deadline: 8th Nov 2023
Overview
The Welsh government want views on their heat strategy for Wales. Their aim is to develop a decarbonised heat system that delivers on the country’s net zero ambitions.
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RICS Draft: Residential Retrofit Professional Standard
Released by: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Released date: 18th July 2023
Response Deadline: 12th Sept 2023
Overview
Proposal from RICS to introduce a new professional standard covering residential property retrofit Services for any and/or all Service roles likely to be undertaken by RICS members.
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Energy Company Obligation schemes: Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and Reduced Data SAP (RdSAP) amendments
Released by: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Release date: 15th August 2023
Response Deadline: 11th Sept 2023
Overview
This consultation proposes amendments to legislation so that both ECO4 and GBIS schemes use the latest versions of the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and Reduced Data SAP (RdSAP).
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PAS 2035 Retrofitting dwellings for improved energy efficiency – Specification and guidance
Released by: BSI
Release date: 29th March 2023
Response Deadline: 12th May 2023
Overview
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has announced a public consultation for proposed amendments to the current versions of PAS 2035.
Improving Boiler Standards and Efficiency
Released by: BEIS
Release date: 7th February 2023
Response Deadline: 21st March 2023
Overview
The government is seeking views in response to proposals on domestic gas boiler efficiency, hydrogen-ready boilers and hybrid heating systems.
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Energy Company Obligation ECO+: 2023-2026
Released by: BEIS
Release date: 28th November 2022
Response Deadline: 23rd December 2022
Overview
BEIS sought views on proposals for the Energy Company Obligation Plus (ECO+) scheme to deliver energy efficiency measures in homes across Great Britain from 2023-2026.
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Review of Net Zero: Call for Evidence
Released by: BEIS
Release date: 29th September 2022
Response Deadline: 27th October 2022
Overview
The BEIS Secretary of State has commissioned a review to ensure that delivering the net zero target does not place undue burdens on businesses or consumers. The review will report at the end of 2022.
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A Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector: consultation
Released by: DLUHC
Release date: 2nd September 2022
Response Deadline: 14 October 2022
Overview
The Government is proposing to introduce a legally binding Decent Homes Standard in England’s Private Rented Sector.
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Ofgem ECO4 Administration
Consultation Part 2
Released by: Ofgem
Release date: 13th June 2022
Response Deadline: 18th July 2022
Overview
This consultation sought views on Ofgem’s administration of any new policies outlined in the BEIS consultation response and included in the ECO4 Order, as well as some administrative improvements.
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Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Consultation: Scoring Methodology – Part 2
Released by: Ofgem Release date: 13th December 2021 Response Deadline: 21st January 2022
Overview
This consultation south proposals for the scoring methodology for the next Energy Company Obligation, ECO4. ECO4 is planned to run from April 2022 to March 2026.
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Building Regulations Part L and F Review: Stage 2B
Released by: Welsh Government Release date: 25th October 2021 Response Deadline: 17th January 2022
Overview
The welsh government were after feedback/responses to their plans for improving the energy efficiency requirements for non-domestic buildings and overheating in new dwellings.
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Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid
Released by: BEIS Release date: 19th October 2021 Response Deadline: 12th January 2022
Overview
This consultation set out proposals to phase out the installation of high carbon fossil fuel heating systems in homes off the gas grid, as committed to in the 2017 Clean Growth Strategy.
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Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in businesses and public buildings off the gas grid
Released by: BEIS Release date: 19th October 2021 Response Deadline: 12th January 2022
Overview
This consultation set out proposals to phase out fossil fuel heating system installations in businesses and public buildings off the gas grid during the 2020s, as committed to in the 2017 Clean Growth Strategy.
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Strengthening the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
Released by: BEIS
Release date: 6th July 2021 Response Deadline: 28th September 2021
Overview
This consultation sought views on proposed measures to strengthen the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme to improve the uptake of energy efficiency measures, and increase the benefits for participating businesses.
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Design of the Energy Company Obligation ECO4: 2022-2026
Released by: BEIS
Release date: 20th July 2021 Response Deadline: 3rd September 2021
Overview
The consultation This document sets out proposals for the next phase of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), set to run between April 2022 and March 2026
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The Non-Domestic Private Rented Sector MEES Implementation of the EPC B Future Target
Released by: BEIS
Release date: 17th March 2021 Response Deadline: 9th June 2021
Overview
This consultation made proposals to improve the implementation and enforcement of the new EPC Band B requirement for rented non-domestic buildings.
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Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
Released by: BEIS
Release date: 30th September 2020 Response Deadline: 8th January 2021
Overview
This consultation sought views on proposals for raising energy performance standards for the domestic private rented sector in England and Wales.
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Energy Performance Certificates in buildings: call for evidence
Released by: BEIS and DLUHC Release date: 26th July 2018 Outcome: 30th September 2020
Overview
The government sought evidence on how Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were currently performing, and feedback on suggestions for improvement.
Scotland Building Regulations – Energy and Environmental Standards
Released by: Scottish Government
Release date: 31st July 2024
Response Deadline: 23rd Oct 2024
Overview
This stage 1 consultation seeks views on the form and approach that a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard, implemented through building regulations, should adopt. It also seeks information on the implementation of the 2023 energy standards to inform the development of a stage 2 consultation in 2025, which will set out the details of proposed new standards or performance targets.
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Delivering net zero for Scotland’s buildings – Heat in Buildings Bill: consultation
Released by: Scottish Government
Released date: 28th November 2023
Response Deadline: 8th March 2024
Overview
A consultation on proposals to make new laws around the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings and the way we heat those buildings.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform: consultation
Released by: Scottish Government
Released date: 25th July 2023
Response Deadline: 16th Oct 2023
Overview
This consultation sets out our proposals to reform domestic and non-domestic Energy Performance Certificates.
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New Build Heat Standard: consultation – part 2
Released by: Scottish Government
Release date: 28th July 2022
Response Deadline: 20th October 2022
Overview
The Scottish Government sought views on their detailed proposals for a New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) to prohibit the use of direct emissions heating systems in new buildings warranted from April 2024.
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Scottish Building Regulations: Proposed changes to Energy Standards and asssociated topics
Released by: Scottish Government Release date: 6th December 2021 Response Deadline: 21st February 2022
Overview
This Call for Evidence is considered to be the first step in developing a new regulatory framework for energy efficiency and zero emission heat in non-domestic buildings.
Domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) reform: consultation
Released by: Scottish Government Release date: 23rd July 2021 Response Deadline: 8th October 2021
Overview
This consultation sets out proposals to change the Energy Performance Certificate’s (EPC) format. This leads on from proposals established in the draft Heat in Buildings Strategy to reform the EPC framework.
Northern Ireland review of energy efficiency requirements and related areas of Building Regulations
Released by: Department of Finance
Released date: 26th July 2023
Response Deadline: 15th Dec 2023
Overview
The Department of Finance is carrying out a 16-week public consultation on a discussion document reviewing energy efficiency requirements and related areas of Building Regulations.
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Consultation Proposals for amendment of Technical Booklet guidance to Part F (Conservation of fuel and power) of the Building Regulations
Released by: Department for the Economy (NI Government) Release date: 11th October 2021 Response Deadline: 19th December 2021
Overview
The Department consulted on proposals to amend Technical Booklet guidance to Part F (Conservation of fuel and power) of the Building Regulations in order to uplift energy efficiency standards and carbon performance requirements for new buildings.
Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland: Consultation on Policy Options
Released by: Department for the Economy (NI Government) Release date: 31st March 2021 Response Deadline: 30th June 2021
Overview
This consultation covered a proposed vision for the Energy Strategy in Northern Ireland which includes a range of underlying principles around which all energy policies will be developed and key issues to prioritise in delivery