2013-04-16 10:05:26 +02:00

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property
propertyadvice
propertyclinic
7965675
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# Changes to the building regulations dealing with energy efficiency
## Continuing the series in which our Clinic experts provide a guide to those
thorny issues that can trip up the unwary. This week, David Snell on changes
to the building regulations dealing with energy efficiency .
![Building regulations and energy efficiency: The new elemental U values
applies to flat roofs, external walls, glazing and roof lights][1]
The new elemental U values applies to flat roofs, external walls, glazing and
roof lights Photo: GINA TURNER
By David Snell 2:00PM BST 26 Aug 2010
[Comments][2]
**What is the point of the changes?**
* To upgrade the 2006 **[energy efficiency][3]** requirements by 25 per
cent. If you are building a new home, extending, renovating or converting,
this applies from October 1.
**How does it affect extensions?**
* The new elemental U values are 25 per cent better than the 2006 figures. A
U value is the measurement of the heat flow through a square metre of any
element of a building - flat roof, external walls, glazing and roof lights -
for every 33.8F (1C) temperature difference between inside and outside.
But achieving these values is not sufficient to demonstrate the 25 per cent
betterment. Other measures, such as installing solar or photovoltaic panels or
a SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) calculation for the whole building may
be necessary. In general, the area of external windows and doors should not be
greater than 25 per cent of the floor area.
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When it comes to a conservatory, there must be effective thermal separation
between it and the main house, otherwise it must comply with the same thermal
requirements as a normal extension. The heating must be independent of the
main house, with separate controls, and the glazing must conform to the same
rules and standards as external windows.
**What about renovations?**
* There is a target table for U values when renovating thermal elements, and
where existing elements fall below a threshold U value they must be upgraded
to meet another set of figures. There are get-outs: if implementation of the
works is uneconomical with less than a 15-year payback. If it would reduce the
floor area by more than five per cent. If the building is listed, of historic
or architectural value and in certain sensitive situations.
**Can you explain the standards for new homes?**
* A system of calculations measures the carbon emissions for a series of
model dwellings. These are known as the Target Emission Rates (TER). Up to now
it has been sufficient to demonstrate that the actual carbon emission rates,
or Dwelling Emission Rates (DER), equal or better the TER.
From October 1 the DER must be 25 per cent better than the TER, and 44 per
cent better in 2013. The calculations can only be carried out by a competent
person with the correct software and must be converted to an SAP value from 1
to 100.
**Is there an official piece of paper?**
* Of course. On completion of a new building, extension, conversion or
renovation, you will need an **[Energy Performance Certificate][10]** (EPC).
For full details, talk to your local building control department.
* Send your property problems to: **[Property Clinic][11]**, The Daily
Telegraph, 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0DT; email
[propertyclinic@telegraph.co.uk][12]
* Our experts regret that they cannot answer readers' letters personally.
All correspondence should be sent to them at the address given above. We
regret that we cannot acknowledge letters. Please keep them brief.
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Telegraph
## [Property Clinic][11]
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[![Building regulations and energy efficiency: The new elemental U values
applies to flat roofs, external walls, glazing and roof lights][27] ][28]
### [Building regulations and energy efficiency][28]
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