llast updated 14th September 05
by 4ecotips.com

One million tones of carbon to be saved

New measures to make UK buildings, especially homes, more energy efficient will save one million tonnes of carbon per year by 2010, equivalent to emissions from more than one million semi-detached homes, ODPM and DEFRA announced today.

The changes to Parts F and L (ventilation and fuel conservation) of the Building Regulations two years ahead of schedule from April 2006 and the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will make a major contribution to the UK's commitment to combat climate change.

This means new homes will need to be better insulated and make more use of efficient heating systems.

The revised Part L will also make air pressure leakage testing of buildings mandatory, improving compliance with the regulations by showing where there is unacceptable leakage, which can reduce the energy efficiency of buildings.

These measures alongside changes to condensing boilers will deliver increased energy standards for new buildings, including around 27% in non-dwellings, 22% in houses and 18% in flats. On average the increase in dwellings will be 20%, which reflects the growing proportion of flats being built with more people now living alone. The new measures taken together with changes to strengthen Building Regulations in 2002 will improve standards by 40%, cutting fuel bills by up to 40% for new homes built from 2006.

The Government is also announcing a wide-ranging review to look at improving energy efficiency standards of existing buildings.

Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper says: "We are driving up standards for new homes so that housing can do its bit to combat climate change. These new standards are good news for consumers' energy bills and for the environment too. This is the latest in a line of improvements ranging from refurbishing social housing to tightening boiler regulations which are helping to cut carbon emissions. It shows that we can build new homes for the next generation, whilst improving protection for the environment as well."

Environment Minister Elliot Morley says: "These measures will improve energy efficiency in buildings hugely, essential if we are going to meet our targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions. Every sector of society has to play a part in the effort to combat climate change, including the building industry by promoting energy efficient products and design."

Philip Sellwood, chief xecutive, Energy Saving Trust points out: "There must be a clear understanding of the role of local authority building officers, who need to be given the resources to enforce regulation."

The EST was disappointed that the new Building Regulations did not include mandatory energy efficiency improvements for homes where significant extensions were being built. With almost 300,000 planning permissions granted each year, the exclusion of this measure would result in some 2.25m tonnes of carbon dioxide being needlessly emitted into the atmosphere by 2010.