Sustainability Flashcards
What are the minimum energy efficiency standards?
The MEES are regulations that require a property to achieve a minimum EPC rating of ‘E’ before being marketed for sale or for let.
The government have previously discussed increasing the minimum threshold rating in future, although plans for this are unclear.
What are consequential improvements?
Consequential improvements refer to energy efficiency improvements that are consequential to changes to a building, as required under Part L of the Building Regulations.
In the case of an extension, the value of consequential improvements must not be less than 10% of the value of the principle works.
In the case of changes to fixed building services, the building fabric should be improved to stop the energy consumption becoming excessive.
What triggers consequential improvements?
A building with a useable floor area of over 1,000 m2, where works include:
An extension
Installation of a new fixed building service
Increasing the capacity of fixed building services
What consequential improvements can be made?
Upgrading the heating/cooling/air handling systems.
Upgrading lighting systems.
Installing energy metering.
Upgrading thermal elements.
Replacing windows.
On-site energy generation eg. solar panels
Measures proposed within an EPC
How can planning legislation impact sustainability?
Requirements for provisions of landscaping/green space.
Installation of EV chargers.
CIL/ S106
Sustianable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDs)
What are SUDS?
Sustainable Urban Drainage System
Helps to manage the flood and pollution risks in urban environments.
Use of Inflitration and Attenuation Drainage Systems
Which legislation concerns SUDS, and what will it require?
Schedule 3, Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
Expected to come into force in the next year, with SUDS design now being required to be approved by the SUDS Approval Body.
The right to connect surface water run-off to public sewers will be removed and instead will be conditional of the approval of the drainage system.
What does Part L of the Building Regulations cover?
Conservation of Fuel and Power
What is the ethos behind the introduction of Part L?
New building works must be built to a minimum standard of total energy performance and Part L was updated to reflect this.
The main objective is to reduce the level of carbon emissions, through proper insulation, air-tightness and energy-efficient heating systems.
How can Part L compliance be achieved?
To achieve Part L compliance, buildings must meet specific BER (Building Energy Rating) requirements.
What is the “Triple Bottom Line”?
The three P’s used to assess the enviromental impact of strategic decisions.
People, Profit, Planet
