2010 energy requirements/renewables

I think I remember reading somewhere that new tighter regulations for reducing energy requirements/ increasing renewables will be coming into force on the 1st July this year. Can anyone tell me if this is correct and what the implications of this would be?

I'm planning to start building in June so if regulations are about to change, they'll effect me greatly but I'm finding it difficult to pin down specific information without getting bogged down in the SEI and government environ websites!

bb12,

I am in the very same situation as you and am receiving conflicting advice so would also be keen to hear what people think.
I have engaged an Energy Consultant who is raising these concerns, which seem very onerous eg replace your proposed gas boiler with a wood pellet stove etc
My Engineer, plus a QS I know who is approaching completion on his build, and also a builder who is building A3 rated houses all disagree with this.
I am considering not bothering with a BER cert at all if this is what the result would be.
Maybe in ten years time I might get a BER cert, the house would still be far ahead of the standard building stock in the country so I can't see why I shouldn't be rated accordingly?
Boots

boots said:

bb12,

I am in the very same situation as you and am receiving conflicting advice so would also be keen to hear what people think.
I have engaged an Energy Consultant who is raising these concerns, which seem very onerous eg replace your proposed gas boiler with a wood pellet stove etc
My Engineer, plus a QS I know who is approaching completion on his build, and also a builder who is building A3 rated houses all disagree with this.
I am considering not bothering with a BER cert at all if this is what the result would be.
Maybe in ten years time I might get a BER cert, the house would still be far ahead of the standard building stock in the country so I can't see why I shouldn't be rated accordingly?
Boots

Click to expand...

Your engineer and QS and your BER consultant are all wrong and right depending on the context.

Engineers specialist in structure and services, the QS in costs.

Neither are expert in the matter of reducing your building energy rating.

In three years time your house will be an also-ran if the ministers intention have have all homes carbon neutral by 2013 is carried through.

Carbon neutral doesn't just consider passivehaus standards of insulation but also where the energy to power your house comes from.

Using fossil fuels like gas will be out.

Using renewables and ambient sources will be in.

They're concentrating on siting,reducing embedded energy and fuel use.

Please see my other response to your suggesting of doing away with the MVHR system.

ONQ.

[broken link removed]

All advice on AAM is remote from the situation and cannot be relied upon as a defence or support - in and of itself - should legal action be taken.
Competent legal and building professionals should be asked to advise in Real Life with rights to inspect and issue reports on the matters at hand.
Edit/Delete Message

boots said:

bb12,

I am considering not bothering with a BER cert at all if this is what the result would be.
Maybe in ten years time I might get a BER cert, the house would still be far ahead of the standard building stock in the country so I can't see why I shouldn't be rated accordingly?
Boots

Click to expand...

All new houses require a BER cert.
There have been huge / major advances in insulation requirements, ventilation and air tightness over the last 10 years. There are huge improvements planned in the next 3 to 5 years, as correctly stated above.

The new Building Regulations on Ventilation come into effect in October 2010. Maybe this is what bb12 is refering too?

Depending on the date of your grant of permission / substancial complete on site date - you may require a blow door test, on your new home. I doubt a home built today will be ahead of new builds in 10 years time.
Seek Professional advice to ensure you comply fully with the Building Regulations, today. (On your Commencement Notice date)