Anyone who is not aware of the recent situation regarding the imminent energy ratings for homes must have been living under a stone for the past couple of months and not reading their CI! The debate surrounding the proposed scale for the ratings was played out in many publications, including this one, and in forums up and down the country.
The rating is a direct requirement of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, an obligation placed on all EU member states, which came into effect at the beginning of 2006. A three-year derogation period was allowed for measures which member states could demonstrate they did not have the means to implement such as the Energy Performance Certificates, which must be produced every time a building is constructed, sold or leased. These however, along with other requirements of the Directive, must be fully operational by the end of 2008.
The issue at the centre of the recent debate, for anyone who needs reminding, is; at what level on a scale of A-G, should new homes built to current Building Regulations Part L minimum standards be placed?
Each letter rating from A-C carries three numbered sub-divisions (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2,
) with two subdivisions for D-E and none for F-G. The proposal to accord a B3 rating to new housing has been met with strong objections from energy and environmental groups, who have suggested a D-rating instead and accusations of excessive pressure from parts of the construction industry.
Firstly, let us acknowledge the fact that the new Building Regulations represent a significant improvement upon previous thermal standards, which is greatly welcomed. However, given that the Regulations are the minimum standards that must be achieved by law, the proposed Energy Performance Certificate must make adequate provision for dwellings which significantly exceed the Regulations minima.
The Regulations work in tandem with initiatives from Sustainable Energy Ireland and others, which focus on the leading edge of energy efficient and low carbon design. The EPC must allow that leading edge to continue to move significantly ahead of the minimum legal standards, if the required reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions of new dwellings are to be realised over the next couple of decades.
The Building Regulations are the lowest standard that can be achieved legally while avoiding prosecution hardly a benchmark!
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