News
The Challenges of Retrofitting Cooling to Homes
Posted on June 1st 2026
Recent media reports have highlighted how residents are required to use mechanical cooling to be comfortable. To date, most are achieving this with portable, heavy and noisy AC units ducted through windows. Overheating mitigation for new homes must, and should, maximise passive measures. This leaves two further questions: Whether occupants can reasonably enjoy their homes without mechanical cooling? What should …
How Embodied Carbon Assessments, CPR and CBAM Will Work Together
Posted on June 1st 2026
The proposals within Construction Products Reform (CPR) and UK Carbon Borders Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are likely to bring embodied carbon and commercial assessments closer together. From 01/2027 UK CBAM will extend climate levies on the imported materials, such as cement, steel and aluminium, which are already levied against domestically through UK ETS (emission trading scheme). Understanding the embodied carbon content …
Achieving 2050 Heat Network Target Remains Unlikely, Despite Policy Changes
Posted on June 1st 2026
The UK sector is in need of capital support to achieve the 20% of heat demand from networks target. This is starting to be supported for new projects with the function of the recently launched National Wealth Fund, and continuation of existing grant funding schemes, such as the GHNF and HNES. When considered in tandem with other changes, such as …
EAHP Design
Posted on June 1st 2026
The performance of Exhaust Air Heat Pumps (EAHPs) is highly sensitive to system design. Two factors are critical. First, ductwork strategy. EAHPs depend on efficient air movement; long or complex duct runs increase static pressure, drive higher fan energy and reduce airflow which directly undermines cooling performance. Second, unit positioning. Locating EAHPs close to the façade enables short, direct duct …
Exhaust Air Heat Pumps in Part L 2026
Posted on May 6th 2026
EAHPs are currently struggling to enable Part L 2026 compliance calculations for typical apartments, with only a single product producing positive results. We expect that this will change after further testing and manufacturer updates. EAHPs provide low carbon heating and hot water with an additional benefit of some cooling making them useful to address Part O requirements. Their performance to …
Part L Requires Renewable Energy Generation
Posted on April 30th 2026
Part L 2026 introduces a new functional requirement for providing practicable renewable energy generation (kWh). The functional requirement is based on the production of 71 kWh/year of renewable generation per square metre of ground floor area (differs for flats). Though any renewable technology can be used, this value has been based on installing unshaded photovoltaic (PV) panels at a 45° pitch, …
Gateway Approval for Bow Phase 2
Posted on April 29th 2026
Hodkinson Consultancy is pleased to have supported the successful Gateway 2 approval of Bow Common Phase 2. Achieving Gateway 2 consent represents a key milestone in progressing the project through the Building Safety Regulator process. Located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the development comprises a series of new apartment blocks, incorporating ground floor commercial space. It is the …
Column Placement Improves Thermal Performance & GIA
Posted on April 29th 2026
Thermal performance is often framed around insulation and wall build-ups. But one of the most effective moves happens much earlier – deciding where structural columns are placed. When columns cut through the external wall line, they interrupt insulation and create thermal bridges. That leads to higher heat loss and pushes designers towards thicker, more complex walls to compensate. By keeping …
Voluntary Net Zero Building Standard Live
Posted on March 31st 2026
A new voluntary industry standard, UK Net Zero Building Standard, was released on 01/03/2026. This standard arrives as the construction industry has been addressing regulatory change and economic challenges. It is industry-led and sets various annual operational limits for the UK’s built environment to limit its impacts on average global temperature rise to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. The standard …
Part L 2026
Posted on March 31st 2026
The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, now called Part L 2026, was laid in parliament on 24/03/2026 and presented some unexpected impacts: Part L 2021 remains in place for high-risk buildings (HRB) with commencements up to 24/09/2030 with successful gateway submissions by 24/09/2027. This substantial gap provides design teams an ability to make informed decisions for new projects. Further it …