Legislation/Technical Updates
A measured approach to zero carbon non domestic new-build
Focus on energy use - not just carbon, and make it efficient says the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), responding to CLG's ‘Zero carbon for new non-domestic buildings: Consultation on policy options'.
The Institution stressed that it is important that the focus is not just on carbon, but on actual energy use. Going straight to carbon leads to the potential pitfall of allowing low carbon fuels to be wasted without restraint. Based on proposals contained in the consultation, CIBSE has developed a model to demonstrate the priorities in achieving zero carbon for non-domestic new-build beginning with high standards of energy efficiency starting with the fabric and plant, then the introduction of renewables and finally off-site ‘allowable solutions' provided that:
i) Sufficient details of the allowable solutions should be available in time for the market to develop.
ii) The early introduction of allowable solutions does not reduce the incentives for efficient and inclusive design of the whole envelope
CIBSE pointed out that advanced forms of building control systems which reduce the level of energy use - currently proposed by CLG as an allowable solution should be an integral part of an energy efficient building. "We are talking about new build here" says Rob Manning, CIBSE's President Elect, "controls are essential to the continued high energy performance of a building. There is no reason why they should not be integral at design stage".
There also needs to be more research on how buildings really perform when occupied, where the energy costs are, and how they are performing in terms of kWh/sq.m/annum. CIBSE agreed that challenging energy efficiency standards for non-domestic buildings covering space heating and cooling should be established with the use of KWh/m2/annum as an indicator of energy performance. It recommended that there should be ‘back stop' figures for minimum values covering air tightness, solar gain and heat loss as they do in Part L of the Building Regulations.
The Institution has welcomed the publication of the consultation "Making Better Use of Energy Performance Certificates and Data", in particular welcoming proposals to roll out Display Energy Certificates to the commercial building stock and believes that this should happen as soon as possible. This will enable decision makers to understand the actual energy performance of a building against its potential.
CLG published its Zero carbon for new non-domestic buildings: Consultation on policy options in November 2009. CIBSE held two workshops for industry practitioners, collecting the views and experiences of over 100 individuals prior to submitting its full response.
http://www.cibse.org/index.cfm?go=news.view&item=115
« Back
Focus on energy use - not just carbon, and make it efficient says the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), responding to CLG's ‘Zero carbon for new non-domestic buildings: Consultation on policy options'.
The Institution stressed that it is important that the focus is not just on carbon, but on actual energy use. Going straight to carbon leads to the potential pitfall of allowing low carbon fuels to be wasted without restraint. Based on proposals contained in the consultation, CIBSE has developed a model to demonstrate the priorities in achieving zero carbon for non-domestic new-build beginning with high standards of energy efficiency starting with the fabric and plant, then the introduction of renewables and finally off-site ‘allowable solutions' provided that:
i) Sufficient details of the allowable solutions should be available in time for the market to develop.
ii) The early introduction of allowable solutions does not reduce the incentives for efficient and inclusive design of the whole envelope
CIBSE pointed out that advanced forms of building control systems which reduce the level of energy use - currently proposed by CLG as an allowable solution should be an integral part of an energy efficient building. "We are talking about new build here" says Rob Manning, CIBSE's President Elect, "controls are essential to the continued high energy performance of a building. There is no reason why they should not be integral at design stage".
There also needs to be more research on how buildings really perform when occupied, where the energy costs are, and how they are performing in terms of kWh/sq.m/annum. CIBSE agreed that challenging energy efficiency standards for non-domestic buildings covering space heating and cooling should be established with the use of KWh/m2/annum as an indicator of energy performance. It recommended that there should be ‘back stop' figures for minimum values covering air tightness, solar gain and heat loss as they do in Part L of the Building Regulations.
The Institution has welcomed the publication of the consultation "Making Better Use of Energy Performance Certificates and Data", in particular welcoming proposals to roll out Display Energy Certificates to the commercial building stock and believes that this should happen as soon as possible. This will enable decision makers to understand the actual energy performance of a building against its potential.
CLG published its Zero carbon for new non-domestic buildings: Consultation on policy options in November 2009. CIBSE held two workshops for industry practitioners, collecting the views and experiences of over 100 individuals prior to submitting its full response.
http://www.cibse.org/index.cfm?go=news.view&item=115
« Back
Other Updates: