The government is proposing that domestic replacement windows meet a higher energy-efficiency performance standard.
The newly-published Part L Building Regulations consultations include a recommendation that the current minimum energy rating performance standard be upgraded from “C” to “B”.
Proposals also include a requirement for consequential improvements when homeowners replace boilers or windows, while the UK Timber Frame Association would have been buoyed by the consultation paper’s statement that the preferred standards for new homes could be met with improvements to the building fabric (such as walls and windows).
A proposal for consequential improvements could mean homeowners having to pay for loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, hot water cylinder insulation and draughtproofing. The government is seeking views on whether the requirement should be one, some or all of these.
But so as not to penalise people whose improvements are small – such as a single new window – the government is proposing a threshold be set. It suggests this could be 50% of the windows in a single elevation or 50% of all the windows in the home.
“We would welcome views on these or alternative suggestions,” it said.
The government said homeowners could use the Green Deal, which eliminates the need to pay up front for such consequential energy-efficiency measures, to remove the barrier of upfront costs.
It said its recommended changes should result in an increase in work for small builders.
“But we will need to consider the risk that the new requirements could deter building occupiers from carrying out works,” it added.
“This would mean consumers would not benefit from improved homes (and energy savings from improvements such as better performing windows) and it would also impact on those in industry who carry out such works.”
The Part L recommendations also tighten carbon dioxide emission targets for new buildings and introduce a specific energy-efficiency target for new homes.
