________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The government is proposing to relax planning laws to build more homes with the focus on ensuring construction delivers greater sustainability . This is to be welcomed , but does not address the challenge of the many buildings that already exist with poor energy-efficiency . Whilst our need to build more new homes is fully documented , there are many of the nearly 30 million existing homes which urgently need improved energy efficiency . Implementing a long-term retrofit strategy is essential to achieve our carbon reduction targets .
The UK has a formidable challenge and bears the weight of history . 5.8 million homes were built before 1919 and over half of the existing stock was built before the first insulation requirements were added to the Building Regulations in 1965 . As a result , these properties are in varying states of repair , with a wide range of different construction methods and materials , creating an enormous wastage of heat and energy . Consequently there is no simple , one-size-fits-all solution for retrofitting these properties .
A new regulatory environment
The recent announcement by the Prime Minister relaxing the steps on our journey to Net Zero , adds considerable doubt in our ability to meet these challenges within the allotted timeframe . Higher standards for energy efficiency were introduced for new build housing - the new and updated Part L of the Building Regulations for England came into force in June 2022 , followed by new energy efficiency updates in Scotland and Wales in November and December 2022 and the Future Homes Standard is still expected for 2025 - all new homes as well as other buildings must be built to ultra-high levels of energy efficiency . Unfortunately , there is very little to promote and deliver the improvements needed for existing buildings , with the PM stating ‘ no households will be forced to make their homes more energy efficient now .’
Prior to this latest announcement , the government had a vague aim of upgrading existing homes to EPC C by 2035 , but only where ‘ practical , affordable and cost effective .’ However , it then scrapped the requirement for landlords to upgrade their properties to an EPC grade C by 2035 . These contradictory statements indicate no real strategy is in place and it is difficult to see how the necessary improvements can be achieved .
The Heat and Building Strategy published in 2021 expands on the detail of heat in buildings , but there is little on improving energy efficiency , reducing demand or the essential policy needed to support any largescale approach to mass retrofitting .
If we are to move to a net-zero carbon country by 2050 ( 2045 in Scotland ), it will be vital to make improvements to homes and other buildings to reduce emissions . This means installing a whole range of energy saving measures ; from better insulation and more efficient appliances to replacing fossil fuelled boilers with low carbon alternatives such as heat pumps .
Insulation is key
PIR and PUR insulation has an invaluable role in upgrading our poorly performing housing stock and ensuring a sustainable future . Good insulation is essential and is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy demand and cut CO 2
. The better or lower the U-values in walls , floors and roofs , the less heat that is lost , resulting in enhanced thermal performance which in turn will help to deliver the standards required .
Highly effective and incredibly versatile , PIR and PUR insulation solutions are available in a range of forms including boards and blocks , cavity injected , composite panels , as well as a spray and panel insulation . The use of
12