The changes to Part L provide a welcome foundation towards achieving the energy performance requirements set out in the Government’s Future Homes Standard, says Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director at Marley, however it’s important the industry now comes together as one to empower those working in the sector to deliver these changes.
With the uplift changes to Part L of the Building Regulations now in effect in England, this next step towards the Government’s objective of net zero emissions by 2050 is an important milestone for our industry.
The new regulations, which set the standard for thermal performance and energy efficiency, provide a welcome foundation towards achieving the energy performance requirements set out in the Government’s Future Homes Standard.
With targets set out in Part L to reduce carbon emissions in new homes by 31%, it is widely acknowledged while there are several ways that these targets can be met, currently one of the most cost-effective ways is by utilising a combination of an efficient gas boiler or heat pump along with a solar photovoltaics (PV) system on the roof.
Awareness of solar PV to deliver greener and more efficient energy is on the rise. With 40% of housebuilders, specifiers and architects recently polled by Marley saying they are already aware of the impact solar PV can have as a sustainable technology within the overall building fabric.
This adds further confidence to forecasts that the inclusion of solar PV, such as Marley SolarTile, as part of an integrated roofing system will deliver dividends to the industry as it implements Part L changes. In addition to the low carbon benefits offered by Solar PV, it also supports householders seeking better energy efficiency at a time of escalating energy bills.
However, while Part L is to be welcomed, it is also important that support and knowledge is available to those working in the industry, so that they are equipped with the necessary resources to successfully fulfill these changes.
When questioned about confidence levels, our research revealed that more than two thirds of housebuilders, and 79% of architects and specifiers, said they were ‘not confident’ or ‘unsure’ about the changes, with ‘lack of skills to implement the changes’ identified as one of the primary challenges to implementation. It is therefore important that the industry now comes together as one to empower those working in the sector to deliver these changes and in doing so ensure the design and development of new-build homes across the UK that exceed Building Regulation standards.
