National Minimum Standards
National minimum standards for energy/carbon performance are specified primarily in the Building Regulations Part L. But the new Energy Performance Certificates are set to become an increasingly important component of the regulatory framework. Moreover, the Code for Sustainable Homes has now replaced the EcoHomes standards and is being developed as the basis for the phased increase in the minimum standards required by Building Regulations up to zero carbon level by 2016.
The government has therefore given the house-building industry early notice of the stepped increase in national minimum standards for energy/carbon performance, which provides more regulatory clarity and certainty to developers.   |