NEWS: Changes to Building Regulations in 2022 – How will they affect your home extension?
In December 2021, the government announced a plan for some significant changes to building regulations, with a focus on improving energy efficiency in buildings. The proposed changes are due to take effect from the 15th June 2022 and comprise new and uplifted Approved Documents.
A link list of the new and uplifted Approved Documents, affecting existing dwellings, is included below.
What does this mean for home extension projects?
The uplift to Approved Documents L and F will set new minimum standards for the energy efficiency of the building fabric and a new metric will be implemented, for calculating the energy efficiency of a building when carrying out a home extension.
Within Part L, the U-values are due to be tightened for new and replacement thermal elements, windows and doors. The U-values for walls will change from the current 0.28W/m2K to 0.18W/m2, whilst windows and rooflights will go from 1.6 to 1.4. The U-values for doors will also be changed from 1.8 to 1.4.
Referring to building services, replacement wet-space heating systems will need to be designed to meet maximum flow temperatures of 55 degrees, matching the requirement of non-domestic buildings. There will also be a requirement for those replacement heating systems to be designed to accept low-carbon heating in the future.
Part F will introduce a new requirement stating that when energy efficiency work is carried out in buildings, the ventilation will not be made any worse.
Ventilation guidelines will include a recommendation that replacement windows are fitted with a background trickle ventilator, unless it can be proven that the ventilation was not made worse.
Extensions to existing properties must adhere to the SAP method of compliance for metrics of fabric energy efficiency and primary energy. This will ensure that ‘direct electric heating systems are not used in unsuitable circumstances resulting in high energy bills for householders.
What if we’ve already submitted our planning application?
If your home extension has already been designed and the planning application has been submitted or approved, we are currently in a transition period, and it is important to be aware of the cut off dates.
For those extension projects designed using the old Approved Documents, you will need to submit your building regulations application before the 15th June 2022 and the construction works must commence on site before the 15th June 2023.
For more information, you can contact us or your local Approved Independent Inspectors.
