Future Homes - Future Buildings: call for evidence
The story so far
In January, the government published their response to last year’s consultation on Part L and Part F of the building regulations - read a review of the key points by LETI (the London Energy Transformation Initiative) here. The Trust welcomes in particular the decision to retain the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES) and confirmation that local authorities will not be stripped of their ability to set stretching and locally applicable targets.
Also in January, the government opened the second phase of this consultation process, seeking views on non-domestic buildings and, for domestic buildings, on their proposals on overheating, retrofit, the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard, and changes to Part F (ventilation). Responses to this consultation could help shape the 2021 update to Part L and Part F that will be implemented in June 2022.
Call for evidence
The Passivhaus Trust, in collaboration with LETI, is preparing a response and we need your help. Changes to Part L and Part F need to be evidence based, and certified Passivhaus projects provide a wealth of evidence demonstrating both the achievability and the positive effects of better fabric standards.
We’re asking PHT members and experienced Passivhaus practitioners to help build that evidence base.
One key area in which the government’s response lacked ambition is airtightness and heat recovery ventilation. It’s a missed opportunity, given the massive impact these two factors have on fabric heat loss – and also on indoor air quality. If you have data that could support the argument for better airtightness standards, including indoor air quality monitoring, we want to hear from you.
Other areas in which LETI is building an evidence base include:
- SBEM modelling
- Space heating demand
- Overheating
- Not all homes are boxes
- Residential modelling
Find out more and sign up to help via LETI’s website here, or email FBSconsultation@leti.london.
Responding to the consultation
Numbers do count – the more people who let MHCLG know that we both need and can achieve better building standards, the better. However, copy and paste written answers are less useful, as they take time to review but don’t add anything new. So -
- If you have 10 minutes:
Respond to the key questions - LETI and the Passivhaus Trust have identified 27 key questions (out of 130) in the current consultation to which short yes/no answers will be of value. Download our list of key questions here and the reasoning behind them here.
- If you have more time:
Submit evidence - as described above.
Looking ahead
The building standards adopted for 2021 are only an interim measure, with more stringent targets set to follow as we aim for a zero carbon future. Evidence submitted now could also help shape the government’s approach to 2025 and beyond - the Future Homes Standard (for domestic buildings) and the Future Buildings Standard (non-domestic) will be published in 2024 and implemented in 2025.
Further information
The Future Homes Standard consultation: summary of responses and government response
The Future Buildings Standard consultation
Previous PHT story: PHT response: Part L/ Part F building regulations consultation - 29 January 2020
10th March 2021
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