Are You Ready For The New Future Homes Standard?
Posted on February 1st 2024
The rollout of FHS 2025 should not be a major surprise for designers and developers working to already high standards written in adopted or emerging local plans in some boroughs (e.g., London, Cambridgeshire, Berkshire, Central Lincolnshire, south-west areas such as Bristol, Bath and North-East Somerset). These local authorities already drive fabric standards beyond Part L requirements and, in most instances, …
Enhanced Heat Pump Efficiencies Required for Compliance with the Future Homes Standard
Posted on February 1st 2024
A significant proportion of current heat pump systems on the market may not be sufficient to meet the new requirements of the Future Homes Standard, which is currently under consultation. This is due to the heat pump performance assumed in the notional specification for energy assessments, as summarised in the table below: For individual heating systems, the notional heat pump …
5-minute Q&A summary on the Future Homes Standard consultation
Posted on January 10th 2024
The Future Homes and Buildings Standards (FHS) consultation was launched on 13th December 2023 and closes to responses on 6th March 2024. It proposes requirements to ensure all new buildings reduce carbon dioxide emissions and are net zero carbon ready. The government’s stated aims are to set even more ambitious requirements for energy efficiency and heating of new buildings, ensure no …
Bristol – Leading The Way On Embodied Carbon
Posted on November 22nd 2023
In 2019, Bristol became the first UK local council to declare a climate emergency. They are now one of the first Local Authorities (outside London) to implement embodied carbon targets with an offset contribution in their Local Plan. Once the Local Plan is fully adopted, major developments in Bristol will be required to undertake an embodied carbon assessment using a …
Heat in Bristol – What Developers Need To Know
Posted on November 22nd 2023
The Bristol Heat Network is an ambitious project to deliver low carbon heat to existing and new homes and businesses across the city. Aspirational projects like this present some very positive opportunities for new development, but successful implementation needs careful consideration from the outset. The network is already in operation and has plans for significant expansion. Aligning with the city’s …
Electrification – The Future of Heating Buildings
Posted on November 22nd 2023
Clean hydrogen should not be viewed as a replacement for gas in domestic heating. As widely expected, the Second National Infrastructure Assessment agreed that electrification via heat pumps should be prioritised to decarbonise heat in buildings. Developments will therefore need to contend with increased electrical demands and the associated costs (both capital and operational) that this will likely bring. Such …
Thermal Bridging – Why at Stage 2
Posted on November 22nd 2023
The table below shows how considering thermal bridging early improves quality, and enables optimisation, of the thermal envelope and use of photovoltaics. It’s never too early to think about thermal bridging as their assessors helps streamline routes to compliance. Consolidating the work within the same company can streamline the process.
Building Services Embodied Carbon Risk
Posted on October 20th 2023
Post construction whole life cycle carbon (WLC) emissions associated to building services are significant when compared to estimates at planning. Working through the design process as more information is known ensures building services are fit for purpose. Without careful attention this can increase embodied carbon emissions as a result of increased material quantities and different plant selection. Our recent post …
Key Design Considerations for Peak Lopping Units
Posted on October 20th 2023
Peak lopping units are increasingly being used by developers to ensure compliance with Part O. The units include a cooling module that, when activated, provide a degree of cooling to the dwellings, helping them achieve compliance. In specifying these units, developers should also be aware of the following: Size and weight: Some models are large (exceeding 2000mm in height and …
Good Retrofit Requires Good Ventilation
Posted on October 19th 2023
The energy crisis has focused minds on reducing energy in existing buildings use, but improving fabric without considering means of ventilation can have negative consequences. Improving building fabric will help reduce heating bills, improve EPC ratings and help reduce CO2 emissions. Poor ventilation can lead to undesirable consequences such as condensation, mould risk, poor air quality and overheating. Older buildings …