Within recent years, there has been a growing concern for environmental sustainability and the need for energy-efficient solutions in the construction industry. The government has taken significant steps to fulfil the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, a set of initiatives in the United Kingdom to improve energy efficiency. These standards will reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and promote the use of renewable energy sources. 

Dive into our latest blog, where we discuss the ins and outs of The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation, the government's technical proposal for changes to the Building Regulations for new homes and non-domestic buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. 

The "Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 Consultation" is an open consultation published on December 13, 2023, by The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Open consultations like this one are a common way for government agencies or regulatory bodies to gather feedback, opinions, and input from the public, industry professionals, and other interested parties before finalising and implementing new standards or regulations. The findings of this particular document were to reflect the changes to Part 6, Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations for dwellings and non-domestic buildings and seek evidence on previous changes to Part O (overheating). 

Many anticipated that the 2022 revisions to Part L were a stepping stone toward achieving U values closer to 0.8, close to Passivhaus levels of energy efficiency. However, the consultation announced that solar panels and heat pumps are the most cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions. 

As of now, there have been no changes to the thermal efficiency requirements; however, it is best to stay updated about significant developments that may affect your line of work. 

Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns regarding the topic of this consultation, and we will do our best to help you better understand!