As a nation, we are becoming more and more aware of the importance of environmentally friendly building design. Finding ways to optimise on energy-efficiency, reduce waste and focus on renewable forms of energy isn’t just reserved for those who want to feel closer to mother earth. It now falls into our legal requirements, taking on a significant role in the UK’s building regulations too. But what considerations should you be making when it comes to designing and constructing a property in 2021 following these regulations? Read now to learn more.
What is Part L Building Regulations
The Conservation of Fuel and Power in New Dwellings Approved Document is an English standard for energy performance in new and existing buildings. It was originally published in 2010 with amendments made in 2016. This document sets out legal requirements, provides considerations to take into account when designing buildings, describes how these designs can be translated into construction and provides information to help the occupants achieve ‘reasonable standards of energy efficiency’.
It was created as a direct result of the government’s Energy White Paper – a commitment to improving the energy performance of buildings here in the UK by:
- Reducing heat losses.
- Minimising excessive solar gains.
- Supporting energy-efficient heating systems.
- Providing guidance to new owners or renters on how to manage the building appropriately.
CHP Systems to Support Part L
Micro-CHP systems produce both heat and electricity from the same source. They offer a low-carbon alternative to traditional HVAC systems and offer significantly better SBEM calculations over those that accommodate oil and gas boilers. While some are powered by fossil fuels, including LPG or mains gas, biomass fuels options are also available, making them considerably more energy-efficient than other alternatives.
When working towards the regulations for Part L, micro-CHP systems contribute to the lowering of carbon emissions. They will increase your chance of passing this section of the current building regulations by a margin. For non-domestic buildings, there are likely to be planning permissions involved but the overall benefits after these investments far exceed this initial output.
We recommend CHP systems if your business requires heat and power for more than 4,000 hours a year. For over 20 years, Energimizer has been supplying and supporting businesses and homeowners in achieving low-carbon and sustainable energy systems. For more information about the CHP products we provide, get in contact with our team today.