Building regulations - proposed changes to energy and environmental standards: stage 2 consultation and BRIA

3 Primary compliance metric – delivered energy

3.1 Introduction

Standard 6.1 focuses on the reduction of energy demand arising from the use of heating, hot water, lighting, ventilation and cooling systems in new buildings (regulated loads). The February 2023 energy standards introduced a new compliance metric for new buildings – delivered energy i.e. the energy needed to be supplied to a building from external sources to meet regulated these uses

The Passivhaus standard considers all of the energy use at the building, including energy used for cooking, appliances and plug-in items (unregulated loads), applying a ‘primary energy renewable’ factor to derive an overall consumption value.

3.2 Proposals

No change is planned to the method introduced in February 2023. Delivered energy (as opposed to primary energy) remains the main compliance metric for standard 6.1 ‘Energy demand’ as this continues to be the most relevant metric for those that occupy and manage buildings.

It is proposed that unregulated energy use, as calculated by the standard 6.1 compliance calculation methodology, will be reported but will not be assigned within the compliance calculation. Presentation of unregulated loads as information rather than as part of the compliance calculation is an appropriate enhancement. Introduction of reporting within a transparent framework would be beneficial in establishing a clearer picture of overall energy demand in use, albeit still applying standard occupancy assertions.

The delivered energy demand metric will continue to assign benefit from on-site generation of power to both fixed and plug-in energy demands, excluding any export component from the compliance calculation given that no benefit accrues at the building from that portion of energy generation.

Consultation Question 4

Do you agree with the proposal to present unregulated loads as information within reported outputs from the compliance calculation?

Yes

No

Please provide a summary of the reason(s) for your view.