Implementing the regulations
The key challenge for designers is to design buildings which will produce 20 - 28% less carbon dioxide emissions (some clients may require buildings with emission levels much lower than the bare minimum set by Building Regulations).
Insulation will continue to play a dominant role in achieving the carbon dioxide emissions targets in both new and existing buildings as can be seen from table 10. Part L: 2006 ensures that the emphasis will not shift away from the long-term benefits of insulating the building fabric towards the short-term benefits of 'renewable' plant.
Designers should consider a two stage approach: first, design the building to require the minimum amount of heating, cooling and lighting for its operation; secondly provide those services with the minimum carbon dioxide emissions. To do that designers may have to adopt different forms of construction and it may be that some constructions will be unable to give the performance required by the regulations.
In line with the European Union’s Energy performance of Buildings Directive Energy Performance Certificates will be required for all buildings new or existing starting with Dwellings as from June 2007.
Table 10 2006 U-values (W/m2K): Impact on new build
|
2002 |
2006 |
|
All buildings |
Dwellings |
Non - Dwellings |
|
|
|
Natural ventilation |
Mechanical ventilation |
| LZC |
|
- |
10% |
0% |
10% |
0% |
| Overall improvement factor |
|
20% |
15% |
23.5% |
20% |
28% |
| Flat roofs |
0.25 |
0.20 |
0.21 |
0.19 |
0.20 |
0.18 |
| Floors |
0.25 |
0.20 |
0.21 |
0.19 |
0.20 |
0.18 |
| Walls |
0.35 |
0.28 |
0.30 |
0.27 |
0.28 |
0.25 |
| Pitched roofs |
0.20 |
0.16 |
0.17 |
0.15 |
0.16 |
0.14 |
Shows the overall improvement factor required, including any compensation for not incorporating low or zero carbon technology.
