Building Regulations: Energy Efficiency

When you're planning an extension, understanding energy efficiency isn't just a good idea – it's a fundamental part of Building Regulations. These rules ensure your new space is as efficient as possible.

Solar Panels

Thinking about putting solar panels on your roof? You'll most likely need Building Regulations approval for this. It's crucial that you confirm your existing roof can safely handle the panels' weight. Sometimes, structural strengthening might be necessary to support them. Also, if you remove or leave out any roof tiles during installation, you must make sure the roof remains completely weatherproof.

Internal Lighting

When you're adding an extension, converting a building into a new home, or updating your lighting during a rewire, you need to ensure your electric lighting is energy efficient. To meet this, you should use light fittings (which include the bulb, its control components, and the fixture itself) that achieve a luminous efficacy greater than 75 lumens per circuit watt. This essentially means they produce more light for the electricity they use. Good examples include fluorescent and compact fluorescent fittings, but traditional GLS tungsten or tungsten halogen lamps won't meet this standard.

There are two common ways to fulfil these lighting requirements:

• Install one energy-efficient light fitting for every 25 square metres of your home's total floor area (garages don't count).

• Alternatively, provide one efficient fitting for every four fixed light fittings you install.

Bear in mind that lights in areas you don't use often, such as cupboards, aren't included in these calculations. If you're building an extension, you have the flexibility to put your energy-efficient fitting in an existing, more frequently used part of your house, like a hall or landing, rather than necessarily in the new room itself.

Insulation in a Loft

If you're planning to install insulation in your loft, you'll need Building Regulations approval. It's really important to be careful not to obstruct any ventilation points located at the eaves of your roof.

Water Recycling Tanks

Water recycling tanks are designed to gather rainwater from your roof and the ground, allowing you to reuse it within your home for tasks like flushing toilets or general washing. You'll usually find these tanks installed underground in your rear garden. If you're adding one, you must submit an application under Building Regulations so that the new drainage system connecting to the tank can be properly inspected and approved.

Radiators

When you install any new radiators, each one must be fitted with a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV). This clever device gives you much better control over the temperature in individual rooms. We also highly recommend that you install TRVs on your existing radiators too, if they don't have them already.

Pipe Lagging

Typically, you won't need Building Regulations approval if you're just adding pipe lagging.