Part L of the building regulations sets the very minimum acceptable standards. It is essential that the industry is aware of this and is prepared go the extra mile to improve on these standards, otherwise we will only have to do so later when it is a more difficult task.
My two-year-old company car does 65mpg, but this year's model does 73mpg, is greener dropping 15g/km of CO2 and is more comfortable. I am thinking of changing it already, but that wouldn't be cost-effective.
Buildings have similar issues. This year's model is more energy efficient, greener, often more comfortable and more cost effective to run, Part L sees to that, but we can't trade our older buildings in.
So, how can we improve our older buildings' fuel efficiency, emissions and comfort? After all most of our work in the present financial climate is refurbishment, so these are vital issues if we are to improve our building stock.
We must make sure that we take every opportunity to improve the energy efficiency and environmental impact of refurbishments. The three key mechanical building services elements of energy efficiency are heating, cooling and ventilation as regulated under Part L of the Building Regulations, and we must see reductions in fuel and power used in these.
It is vital that we all remember that Part L sets the very minimum acceptable standards. If we only just meet these standards, then we have done the 'worst possible refurbishment allowable'. Our job is to stretch the boundaries. If we don't, we will be required to do so later and it won't be so easy or cost effective.
So, how do we do it? It is not only about solar power, wind turbines and biomass boilers, although all these have their place once we have more efficient building systems. It is about well-tried technology, optimising demand control ventilation, variable speed pumping and highly efficient boilers and chillers.
Faber Maunsell | AECOM's CoolDeck provides an ideal passive conditioning solution for cooling using the 'hidden' thermal mass and it is particularly suitable for refurbishment projects with low internal gains at low capital cost, low energy consumption and low maintenance.
But, even before we consider the services, we should consider cost effective upgrades to the external envelope making it more airtight and better insulated. When we have done that, all the services considerations kick in resulting in a cost-effective, more comfortable refurbishment that stretches the boundaries and not the 'worst possible refurbishment allowable'.
We really can get more mileage out of our cars and our buildings. I might change my wife's car soon, but I am going to carry on improving our existing building stock.//