Changes to Insulation Regulations

Posted by Adam Hayman on 29th April 2022 -

We all know how important insulation is in keeping our homes warm and energy bills down. To ensure sufficient levels of insulation, UK Building Regulations set standards for the insulative properties of new builds, extensions and other construction projects. However, these regulations are changing over the coming months and years. These changes will make minimum standards stricter, in turn affecting your choice of insulation. The builders at Hayman Developments stay on top of all progress within the industry, ensuring we pass the most relevant information onto our customers and projects.

Covering Ascot, Sunningdale and all the surrounding areas, we make sure building work meets the highest standards and help our customers avoid the need for further home updates in the future.

Thermal Performance

Thermal performance refers to how well your home retains heat. This is a key factor influencing the change to regulations because the UK is committed to increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. Consequently, our builders note that the main update is to Part L: Conservation of Fuel and Power. Taking place in June 2022, this is a step towards the tougher 2025 Future Homes Standard.

Aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, changes to Part L will also introduce the need to demonstrate correct installation of insulation. Furthermore, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) will mean rented properties for new tenancies must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of C or above by 2025. Landlords in Ascot, Sunningdale and the surrounding areas should schedule upgrades before this date.

Fire Safety

When building, extending or renovating homes, it has always been important to minimise fire risks. However, rules regarding fire safety are becoming stricter. There is a new Bill and a new regulator which exist to ensure construction materials/products and properties are safe. These are the Building Safety Bill and the Construction Products Regulator.

As a result, builders will be subject to greater scrutiny regarding the insulation they use and the standards of their work in relation to fire safety.

The easiest way to reduce fire risk and futureproof projects is to use a non-combustible insulation. In England, the use of combustible materials is already banned on buildings taller than 18m, but the demand is growing for the ban to cover buildings of any height.

Embodied Carbon

Embodied carbon is the CO2 emitted during the production of materials and the construction of new buildings. Although there are currently no regulations governing embodied carbon, there is increasing demand for such regulations to be put in place. Consequently, it is important for builders to prioritise low-carbon products in preparation.

In the future, new builds in Ascot, Sunningdale and across the UK will likely need to use more sustainable insulation. One way to ensure the sustainability of a product is to choose an insulation with the Declare label. This is a product transparency disclosure which identifies where a product comes from, what it is made of and where it goes at the end of its life.