Visit the Amtech Power Software web site

Energy Efficiency - Building Regulation Changes

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Oct 27, 2004

Richard Hipkiss, Marketing Manager of Schneider Electric, comments on amendments to the Building Regulations energy efficiency provisions Part L and Part F covering ventilation.

Regardless of whether the nations of the world embrace the objectives of Kyoto, the impeding energy crisis will not go away.

It remains a fact that more than half the CO2 emitted in the UK comes from energy consumed in buildings.

Unless we start adopting greater joined up thinking when it comes to building management and performance, this situation will not change.

The deadline has passed for a consultation period on two important documents published in July and announced by Lord Rooker, Minister of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in a written statement on 21 July.

The documents relate to amendments to the Building Regulations energy efficiency provisions Part L and Part F covering ventilation.

These consultation documents were sent to several hundred organisations that have an interest in the energy efficiency of buildings and/or ventilation.

Lord Rooker aims to lay the legislation needed to implement the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and amend the Building Regulations and Approved Documents by July next year.

He also intends to achieve the Government's goal of bringing them into effect by the end of December 2005.

Irrespective of the outcome of the consultation, or indeed the effect that any changes may ultimately make, the drivers behind building efficiency continue to be the architects, designers, consultants, building services contractors and equipment manufacturers.

Rarely do these disparate groups consult early enough in a building project and almost never do they agree.

Usually, the reason is lowest price tendering in the building acquisition stage, where capital expenditure is almost never weighed against operating costs.

Only when an holistic approach is taken to the realisation of intelligent, integrated building controls can energy measures succeed.