Achieving Energy Efficiency

Internal Lighting

When you're adding an extension to your home or upgrading your electrical system by rewiring, you need to ensure your new lighting is energy efficient. You should include a good number of efficient electric lights.

To make sure your lighting meets these standards, consider installing light fixtures that are designed to use highly efficient bulbs. These fixtures, which include the bulb itself, its control mechanisms, and any covers or reflectors, should only accept bulbs that achieve a luminous efficacy of more than 75 lumens per circuit watt. (Luminous efficacy simply measures how much light a bulb produces for each unit of electricity it consumes).

Typically, fluorescent and compact fluorescent light fixtures easily satisfy these criteria. However, traditional GLS tungsten bulbs (the standard screw-in or bayonet type) and tungsten halogen bulbs usually do not qualify.

You can often meet these energy efficiency rules by ensuring you have one efficient light fitting for every:

• 25 square metres of your home's total floor space (excluding garages); or

• Group of four permanent light fixtures.

Keep in mind that light fixtures in spaces you don't use often, like utility cupboards or storage rooms, don't count towards this total. If you're building an extension, you might find it more practical to install an energy-efficient light fitting in an existing part of your house, such as your hallway or landing, rather than directly in the new room. This approach makes sense if existing areas are used more frequently than the new space will be.

Insulation

When you put in new insulation, it needs approval under building regulations. The good news is that you can often add this to your main project application. Just be very careful not to accidentally block any ventilation points already in place when you're installing it.

Radiators

If you're putting in a new radiator, you must fit it with a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV). This clever device lets you manage the temperature in each room more effectively. We also highly recommend adding TRVs to any radiators you already have.

Pipe Lagging

You typically won't need building regulations approval when you decide to add lagging to your pipes.