Improved energy performance standards in new buildings launched

Guidance aims to help reduce energy bills in new homes and buildings and support a more secure energy system and the renewables sector

The Department of Finance (DoF) has published updated Building Regulations technical guidance, which will improve the energy and emissions performance standards for new buildings.

The new statutory guidance comes into effect on 30 June 2022. It's published in Technical Booklets F1 (Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings) and F2 (Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings) of the Building Regulations - you can find these updated documents on the DoF website.

Designers retain a wide degree of flexibility as to how to meet the new requirements. DoF expects that where cost effective approach is taken using photovoltaics to meet the new requirements, annual energy bills in new houses should typically be more than £150-200 lower than under the current standards.

The new guidance requires new lower emissions performance with an expectation of low carbon technologies alongside increased air tightness testing and improved backstop standards for insulation.

These improvements are an interim step in a programme of uplifts planned for coming years.

Find out more about the updated technical guidance.

First published 30 March 2022