Energy Efficiency in New Housing

Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing Energy Efficiency in New Housing Summary of Specifications for England, Wales and Scotland how to achieve the best in energy efficiency in new housing measures to improve efficiency, reduce CO 2 emissions and cut fuel bills a guide for architects, specifiers, installers and others involved in the design and construction of dwellings

Increasing efficiency and reducing impacts This guide describes how to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency in new dwellings in England Scotland and Wales. These specifications summarise how to achieve dwellings that perform better than the legal minimum for energy efficiency. Dwellings built to these guidelines will have lower fuel bills and lower environmental impact. The site test recommendations will help to ensure actual energy performance mirrors predicted behaviour. Three specifications are summarised, each representing a successive step up from the legal minimum set down in the Building Regulations Part L and the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations Part J. They are: Good Practice a package of measures that will meet the legal minimum and in addition provide a small degree of improved performance Best Practice the adoption of the best established, cost-effective products and practices.they have been tried and tested, and their inclusion in the new-build specification does not involve undue risk The Good Practice and Best Practice specifications employ the Carbon Index (see box), to introduce an element of flexibility into the design and construction of new dwellings. It is not used for the Advanced Design specification, though. Here, the emissions due to heating systems (which are measured by the Carbon Index) will have fallen to a minimum and remaining energy loads will be primarily lighting and appliances which the CI as a measure does not take into account. This document gives maximum U-values for all exposed construction elements as well as other requirements (such as heating systems) and a series of recommendations in regard to improved energy performance. This guide also shows typical fuel cost and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) savings (compared to the legal minimum) for dwellings constructed in accordance with these strategies. As technologies develop and performance requirements become more stringent, these specifications will evolve.this will be reflected in succeeding editions of this guide. Advanced Design these recommendations address sustainability issues and are designed to reduce environmental impact to a minimum The Carbon Index (CI) This is an indication of how much carbon dioxide is emitted per unit area of floor. It is based on the emissions resulting from space and water heating. Expressed as a scale from 0-10, higher figures reflect better energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions. 2

Fuel savings and emissions reductions Building to the three specifications outlined in this guide will result in lower greenhouse gas emissions and for the occupier lower fuel bills. Savings that might typically be expected are given in the tables.table 1 indicates fuel and CO 2 savings compared with the minimum performance required by the England and Wales Building Regulations Part L, while Table 2 shows a similar comparison with the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations Part J. The seven most common types of dwelling have been considered. For each, typical energy use was calculated using the BRE Domestic Energy Model (BREDEM-12), not only for the minimum standard, but also the three specifications listed.the associated fuel costs were calculated from the Government s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP-2001) which also provides a formula for calculating CO 2 emissions. For simplicity, all figures assume natural gas as the heating fuel. Any impact on building costs from the adoption of the Good Practice, Best Practice or Advanced Design specifications has not been included. Table 1: Savings in comparison with dwellings constructed to the minimum standard for England and Wales Dwelling Type Minimum Standard Fuel Cost ( /yr) SAP Good (GS1) Best (BS1) Advanced (AS1) Flat 238 101 19 94 102 42 375 108 58 569 118 Detached Bungalow 271 93 36 331 100 55 554 106 73 782 114 Semi-detached Bungalow 259 94 34 300 100 50 487 106 67 700 114 Mid-terraced 312 100 28 161 102 56 502 108 78 769 118 End-terraced 322 96 35 261 100 61 570 107 84 851 117 Semi-detached 347 95 41 331 100 66 614 107 90 910 116 Detached 392 93 55 513 101 83 823 107 108 1137 115 Table 2: Savings in comparison with dwellings constructed to the minimum standard for Scotland Dwelling Type Minimum Standard Fuel Cost ( /yr) SAP Good (GS1) Best (BS1) Advanced (AS1) Flat 245 102 24 114 103 47 397 108 64 603 118 Detached Bungalow 281 94 40 335 100 61 588 106 81 845 114 Semi-detached Bungalow 269 95 36 285 100 56 522 106 75 758 114 Mid-terraced 324 101 36 212 102 65 557 108 88 843 118 End-terraced 335 98 42 290 100 70 628 107 94 930 117 Semi-detached 361 96 48 376 100 76 687 107 100 990 116 Detached 406 94 61 515 101 91 858 107 119 1216 115 3

Good Practice Specification Requirements Energy rating The dwelling must have a minimum Carbon Index of: 8.0 where the heating fuel is gas, biomass, CHP, LPG, or a renewable source 6.8 if oil is the heating fuel 6.2 if electricity is used for heating purposes Note: no allowance can be claimed for use of green electricity tariffs Maximum permissible U-values (W/m 2 K) for exposed elements Pitched roofs - insulation between rafters 0.20 - insulation between joists 0.16 Flat roofs 0.25 Walls 0.35 (but 0.30 in Scotland) Floors 0.25 Windows, doors, rooflights with - metal frames 2.2 - wood or PVC-U frames 2.0 In Scotland there are tighter requirements if electric heating is used: Pitched roofs - insulation between rafters 0.18 - insulation between joists 0.16 Flat roofs 0.22 Walls 0.27 Floors 0.22 Windows, doors, rooflights with - metal frame 2.0 - wood or PVC-U frames 1.8 Heating Systems For more details on this topic, refer to the Central Heating System Specifications (CHeSS), published by Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing as General Information Leaflet (GIL) 59. Domestic wet central heating systems Boiler This should have a minimum SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK) rating of: 78% if fuelled by natural gas (bands A to D) 80% if LPG fuelled (A to C, and some from band D) 85% if oil-fired (A and B, and some from C). In the case of a combi or CPSU boiler, the requirement is 82% the requirements of the Waterheater Manufacturers Association Performance Specification for Thermal Stores 1999. Controls For more details see CHeSS. These should comprise: a time switch for combi or CPSU boilers; otherwise a full programmer. In Scotland these must have a 7-day function a room thermostat a boiler interlock Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) on all radiators, except in areas with a room thermostat automatic bypass valve For systems with a separate storage cylinder, a cylinder thermostat is also required. Installation should be carried out to current Best Practice requirements. Non-centrally heated systems Time and temperature controls should be equivalent to CHeSS HC3/HR3 (see Note on back page). Lighting Use energy efficient lights in at least half of the rooms. Recommendations The following recommendations will improve efficiency further. Ventilation Passive Stack Ventilation (PSV), assisted Passive Stack Ventilation (apsv) or Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems should be installed. These will provide a continuous, controlled supply of fresh air. If PSV or apsv is used, both the supply and exhaust vents should be humidity controlled. If fans are used in the ventilation system, total fan power should be less than 2W per litre per second of extract air. If heat recovery is used, heat exchanger efficiency should be greater than 70%. Pressure testing A pressure test (carried out to the procedure in CIBSE TM23 Testing Buildings for Air Leakage) should achieve an air permeability of less than: 4m 3 /h/m 2 at 50Pa for dwellings with HRV 7m 3 /h/m 2 at 50Pa for dwellings with other ventilation systems Electrical appliances Fit Energy Efficiency Recommended (EER) electrical appliances wherever possible. Hot water store In the case of systems with combi or CPSU boilers, there is no separate store. For systems with regular boilers, the requirement is for: either a hot water cylinder that meets the relevant British Standards (in particular BS 1566 and BS 7206) or a thermal primary storage system satisfying 4

Best Practice Specification Requirements Energy rating The dwelling must have a minimum Carbon Index of: 8.6 where the heating fuel is gas, biomass, CHP, LPG, or a renewable source 7.4 if oil is the heating fuel 6.8 if electricity is used for heating purposes Note: no allowance can be claimed for use of green electricity tariffs Installation should be carried out to current Best Practice requirements see CHeSS for full details. Non-centrally heated systems Time and temperature controls should be equivalent to CHeSS HC4/HR4 (see Note on back page). Lighting Use dedicated energy efficient lights in at least 80% of the rooms. Maximum permissible U-values (W/m 2 K) for exposed elements Roofs 0.13 Walls 0.25 Floors 0.20 Windows, doors, rooflights (area weighted average) 1.8 Ventilation Passive Stack Ventilation (PSV), assisted Passive Stack Ventilation (apsv) or Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems should be installed.these will provide a continuous, controlled supply of fresh air. If PSV or apsv is used, both the supply and exhaust vents should be humidity controlled. If fans are used in the ventilation system, total fan power should be less than 2W per litre per second of extract air. If heat recovery is used, then heat exchanger efficiency should be greater than 70%. Heating Systems For more details, refer to the Central Heating System Specifications (CHeSS), published by Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing as General Information Leaflet (GIL) 59. Domestic wet central heating systems Boiler This should have a minimum SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK) rating of: 86% if fuelled by natural gas (bands A and B) 88% if LPG fuelled (A, and some from band B) 89% if an oil-fired regular boiler (A, and some from band B). In the case of a combi or CPSU boiler, the requirement is 86% These levels of efficiency can only be obtained with condensing boilers. Hot water store In the case of systems with combi or CPSU boilers, there is no separate store. Regular boilers will have either a high-performance hot water cylinder exceeding the requirements of BS 1566 and BS 7206 or a high performance thermal (primary) storage system. In the latter case, the insulation properties must exceed the requirements of the Waterheater Manufacturers Association Performance Specification for Thermal Stores by 15% and satisfy its other requirements. Controls For more details see CHeSS. These should comprise: a programmable room thermostat. In Scotland these must have a 7-day function a boiler interlock Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) on all radiators, except in areas with a room thermostat automatic bypass valve For systems with a separate storage cylinder, a cylinder thermostat is also required. In addition, the programmable room thermostat must have an additional hot water timing capability. Pressure testing A pressure test (carried out to the procedure in CIBSE TM23 Testing Buildings for Air Leakage) should achieve an air permeability of less than: 3m 3 /h/m 2 at 50Pa Electrical appliances Energy Efficiency Recommended (EER) electrical appliances are to be fitted. Drying space A ventilated space for drying clothes should be provided within the house. Recommendations The following recommendations will further improve the efficiency of the dwelling. Water usage Use appliances with low water consumption: WCs should consume a maximum of 4 litres showers should not deliver more than 8 litres/min any specified washing machines should use less than 50 litres per wash dishwashers should use less than 16 litres per wash Avoid dead legs in piping where possible. Where dead legs occur, they should not contain more than 1.5 litres of water (that equates to a maximum run of 10 metres of 15mm copper pipe). In systems using mains pressure hot and cold water, outlets should be fitted with dynamic flow regulators. Assess heat loss Post construction, carry out a thermographic survey of the property to search for missing insulation. See Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing publication Post Construction testing for further information. 5

Advanced Design Specification Requirements Energy Rating Emissions due to space and water heating will be minimised in this Specification. Lighting and appliance loads (which the Carbon Index does not take into account) will be the predominant causes of emissions. So the CI is an inappropriate measure in this case. Maximum permissible U-values (W/m 2 K) for exposed elements Roofs 0.08 Walls 0.15 Floors 0.10 Windows, doors, rooflights (area weighted average) 1.5 Average daylight factor Based on BS 8206: Part 2 Code of Practice for Daylighting, the minimum levels should be: Living rooms, dining rooms, studies 1.5% Kitchen 2.0% Bedrooms 1.0% Heating Systems For more details, refer to the Central Heating System Specifications (CHeSS), published by Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing as General Information Leaflet (GIL) 59. Domestic wet central heating systems Boiler This should have a minimum SEDBUK (Seasonal Efficiency of Domestic Boilers in the UK) rating of: 86% if fuelled by natural gas (bands A and B) 88% if LPG fuelled (A, and some from band B) 89% if an oil-fired regular boiler (A, and some from band B). In the case of a combi or CPSU boiler, the requirement is 86% These levels of efficiency can only be obtained with condensing boilers. Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) on all radiators, except in areas with a room thermostat automatic bypass valve For systems with a separate storage cylinder, a cylinder thermostat is also required. In addition, the programmable room thermostat must have an additional hot water timing capability. Installation should be carried out to current Best Practice requirements see CHeSS for full details. Non-centrally heated systems Time and temperature controls should be equivalent to CHeSS HC4/HR4 (see Note on back page). Lighting Use dedicated energy efficient lights throughout the building. Ventilation Passive Stack Ventilation (PSV), assisted Passive Stack Ventilation (apsv) or Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems should be installed.these systems will provide a continuous, controlled supply of fresh air. If PSV or apsv is used, both the supply and exhaust vents should be humidity controlled. If fans are used in the ventilation system, total fan power should be less than 1W per litre per second of extract air. If heat recovery is used, then heat exchanger efficiency should be greater than 85%. Pressure testing A pressure test (carried out to the procedure in CIBSE TM23 Testing Buildings for Air Leakage) should achieve an air permeability of less than: 1m 3 /h/m 2 at 50Pa Electrical appliances Energy Efficiency Recommended (EER) electrical appliances are to be fitted. Drying space A ventilated space for drying clothes should be provided within the house. Hot water store In the case of systems with combi or CPSU boilers, there is no separate store. Regular boilers will have either a high-performance hot water cylinder exceeding the requirements of BS 1566 and BS 7206 or a high performance thermal (primary) storage system. In the latter case, the insulation properties must exceed the requirements of the Waterheater Manufacturers Association Performance Specification for Thermal Stores by 15% and satisfy its other requirements. Controls For more details see CHeSS. These should comprise: a programmable room thermostat. In Scotland these must have a 7-day function a boiler interlock Water usage Only use appliances with low water consumption: WCs should consume a maximum of 4 litres showers should not deliver more than 6 litres/min any specified washing machines should use less than 50 litres per wash dishwashers should use less than 16 litres per wash Avoid dead legs in piping where possible. Where dead legs occur, they should not contain more than 1.5 litres of water (that equates to a maximum run of 10 metres of 15mm copper pipe). In systems using mains pressure hot and cold water, outlets should be fitted with dynamic flow regulators. 6

Advanced Design Specification Recommendations The following recommendations will further improve the efficiency of the dwelling and reduce environmental impact. Assess heat loss Post construction, carry out a thermographic survey of the property to search for missing insulation. Consider alternative energy sources Renewable energy technologies can reduce the emissions attributable to fossil fuel use. Consider creating an Autonomous dwelling which would utilise on-site renewable energy generation and avoid connections to mains services other than electricity. Government grants may be available for some renewables projects. For further information contact: The Photo-voltaic Major Demonstration project (www.est.co.uk/solar) Clear Skies (www.clear-skies.org) The Scottish Community and Householder Renewables Initiative (www.est.org.uk/schri) 7

Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing Energy Efficiency in New Housing References Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing The following publications are available from the Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing helpline on 0845 120 7799 or by visiting the website at www.est.org.uk/bestpractice: Energy efficiency standards for new and existing dwellings (GIL72), September 2002 Central Heating System Specifications (CHeSS) (GIL59), July 2002 Post-construction testing a professional s guide to testing housing for energy efficiency (GIR64), August 2000 Building a sustainable future homes for an autonomous community (GIR53), October 1998. British Standards BS 1566: 2002, Copper indirect cylinders for domestic purposes (www.bsonline.techindex.co.uk) BS 7206: 1990, Specification for unvented hot water storage units and packages BS EN 613 Independent gas-fired convector heaters BS EN 13141/7/8 (CEN TC 156/WG2/AH7) Component/products for residential ventilation BS 8206: Part 2, 1992, Code of Practice for Daylighting Contact: British Standards Institution 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL Tel: 020 8996 9000 Web: www.bsi.global.com National Regulations The Building Regulations 2000, Approved Document L1, Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings, 2002 Edition The Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990, 6th amendment, Technical standards to Part J, Conservation of fuel and power Contact:The Stationery Office: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop Waterheater Manufacturers' Association Performance Specification for Thermal Stores, 1999 Contact: www.waterheating.fsnet.co.uk/wma.htm CIBSE TM23 Testing Buildings for Air Leakage (Contact: www.cibse.org) The Government s Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings, 2001 Edition (Contact: http://projects.bre.co.uk/sap2001) NOTE For non-centrally heated systems: For non-electric systems if gas room heaters are used, their efficiency should not be less than the standard set out in BS EN613, Independent gas-fired convector heaters.the heaters should have individual room temperature control. If hot water storage is used, for GS1 it should be insulated to CHeSS HR3, and have time and temperature control. For BS1 it should be insulated to CHeSS HR4, and have time and temperature control. For electric systems, storage heaters should have automatic charge control. Fan assisted storage heaters are recommended. On-peak heaters should have time and individual room temperature control. Hot water systems should have cylinder losses less than 1.33*(0.02+0.051*V2/3) as measured by BS 1566, Copper indirect cylinders for domestic purposes. This equates to a heat loss of 2.4kWh over 24 hours for a 210 litre cylinder, or 1.7kWh over 24 hours for a 120 litre cylinder. BS 1566 requires these heat loss figures to be marked on cylinders. Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing Helpline: 0845 120 7799 Fax: 0845 120 7789 Email: bestpractice@est.co.uk Web: www.est.org.uk/bestpractice Energy Efficiency Best Practice in Housing is managed by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Government. July 2003. Energy Saving Trust. E&OE. CE12. All technical information was produced by BRE on behalf of the EST. This leaflet was printed by a Carbon Neutral company.