Guide to the Updated Building Regulations 2021

In 2020; the UK government set out a roadmap for the country to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. One vital step on this road is that our domestic and commercial buildings become more energy efficient and adopt low-carbon technologies for space heating and hot water. At the same time; the importance of wellbeing in our homes and other buildings has grown in both the public and political arenas. As a result; the government has also been looking into improving indoor air quality and tackling overheating; particularly in modern housing. In December 2021; the government released updates to Approved Documents Part L (energy efficiency) and Part F (ventilation) to further its net zero agenda. It also introduced a new Part O which deals with the issue of overheating in modern dwellings. This Guide will look at the main areas of the updated Approved Documents that impact the design; installation and operation of heating; ventilation and air conditioning systems. It will also consider the implications for the adoption of low-carbon technologies; and techniques to achieve this for homes and other buildings.