Memorandum submitted by the Chartered
Institution of Building Services Engineers
This submission is from the Chartered Institution
of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), a professional institution
incorporated by Royal Charter. CIBSE exists to promote the art,
science and practice of building services engineering for the
benefit of all, and the advancement of education and research
in building services engineering. CIBSE is dedicated to the development
of better buildings by maintaining an active role in contributing
to governmental regulations and legislation. The Institution covers
all aspects of design, installation, maintenance and manufacturing
associated with building services.
The Institution is committed to tackling climate
change and requires its members to "have due regard to environmental
issues in carrying out their professional duties" under its
Code of Conduct. CIBSE seeks to improve the construction industry
and the existing built environment through support of legislation
and collaboration with relevant other bodies.
1. DOMESTIC AND
NON-DOMESTIC
PROPERTIES
Standards for new build housing are provided
by Part L of the Building Regulations and the Code for Sustainable
Homes, supported by the planning system. Whilst there are issues
to be ironed out with new build, it is fairly comprehensively
covered by current standards and plans to make all new build zero
carbon by 2016.
CIBSE believes that it is correct for the CLG
to call for evidence on existing housing stock as this is where
the majority of carbon emissions come from domestic properties
and these are more difficult to address. However much work has
already been undertaken on the energy performance of dwellings
including existing housing.
CIBSE is keen to participate fully in any future
inquiry into the energy performance of the existing non-domestic
buildings.
2. ENERGY PERFORMANCE
CERTIFICATES
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for properties
for sale or rent will provide information but will not in isolation
be sufficient to promote improvement of existing stock. EPCs will
be accompanied by recommendations for improvements and it is these
recommendations that will stimulate decisions on improvements.
To put energy performance on a par with other priorities of prospective
buyers and tenants (proximity to transport, amenities and schools
for example) will be challenging.
A recent CLG survey, Green Findings, on the
energy performance of four bedroomed houses marketed with an EPC
included in the home information pack indicates that average houses
are being rated "E" on a scale of A-G. Average savings
resulting from improvement of those homes to a "C" are
estimated at typically save £180 on heating, £60 on
lighting and £30 on hot water bills, a year.
At present the top five recommendations given
by assessors for improving energy efficiency have been: cavity
wall insulation, changing to low energy lighting, putting thermostatic
valves on radiators, loft insulation, and double glazing.
3. TECHNOLOGY
Wider use of technology in making homes more
energy efficient could be encouraged through planning and incentives
to install energy efficient technology. This may stimulate consideration
of less well known and possibly more expensive technology. At
present it seems that most potential improvements are at a more
basic level. Savings of less than £500 per year may not be
sufficient incentive to counteract the uncertainty of added resale
value, the perceived inconvenience of installation work and the
lack of access to information and professional services.
A further consideration in the need to adapt
to climate change is the issue of overheating in hot weather and
the consequent danger of over-insulating buildings.
4. HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Any specific challenges which may arise in relation
to housing of special architectural or historical interest are
not insurmountable. CIBSE contributed to English Heritage work
on Part L compliance for historic and listed buildings. The full
suite of documents is currently in production and will be available
to download from the English Heritage Website.
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