Whether the building under consideration is a new build or a refurbishment of existing building, there are numerous regulations concerning planning and regulations to be taken into account in assessing whether renewable energy can offer a viable solution to meet the heating and hot water requirements of a prospective building.

Regulation and Planning

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and Council required that the energy performance of new buildings are evaluated with a calculation methodology that complies with the directive. In response the UK Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) commissioned the National Calculation Method (NCM) for energy performance in buildings. The initial use for the NCM was for compliance with the 2006 amendments to part L of the building regulations.
In 2006 the Building regulations were amended and four approved documents were published: - The conservation of fuel and power in new and existing dwellings Parts L1A & L1B and the conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings Parts L2A & L2B.

These documents implemented only one approach to showing compliance with energy efficiency requirements and addressed five criteria:

• The annual CO2 emission rate of the building as calculated using an approved calculation tool.
• Building fabric and service performance specification are within reasonable limits.
• Non air conditioned buildings will not cause high internal temperatures in summer as a result of excessive solar gains.
• Fabric insulation and air tightness as built are as intended in the design stage including air testing.
• Satisfactory information must be provided enabling occupiers to achieve energy efficiency in use.

New technical references from DCLG gave guidance on compliance regarding the use of calculation tools, ways of complying when providing heating, cooling and ventilation systems and the benefits of low and zero carbon systems.

The standard of improvement was set so that “low and zero carbon energy sources will have attractions in many cases” these include ground and air source heat pumps. In addition new competent person schemes were approved for energy performance calculations and pressure testing.

The NCM for dwellings is the Standard Assessment Procedure or (SAP). The NCM for buildings other than dwellings is the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM).

All current construction (with a few exceptions) must comply with the building regulations and planning requirements.

In addition various other requirements have been introduced by clients, planners, housing associations, development agencies and funders to improve the environmental impact of their buildings. These include:

• Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH)
• Building Research Environmental Assessment Model BREEAM

Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH)

The Code measures the sustainability of a new home against nine categories of sustainable design, rating the 'whole home' as a complete package. The Code uses a 1 to 6 star rating system to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a new home. The Code sets minimum standards for energy and water use at each level and, within England, replaces the EcoHomes scheme, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

On May 1st 2008 it became mandatory for all new homes to have a rating against the code; although it is possible to have a nil rated certificate against the code many housing providers require a higher rating for their buildings.

BREEAM (excluding dwellings)

BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) is the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the de facto measure used to describe a building's environmental performance.

BREEAM is tailored for each individual project (bespoke) or various building types such as Office, Healthcare, Prisons, Courts etc.

They all include a section on energy efficiency /CO2 amongst other environmental considerations.

Open Loop Heat Pump Systems

In the UK the Environment Agency is responsible for the management of groundwater resources. Most projects will need an abstraction licence and in some cases and environmental impact assessment is also required, as the water is re-injected into the aquifer. The Environment Agency charge a fee for administering the licensing scheme and the unit charge for abstraction is charged per 1000m3 and varies depending on the region. For details see www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

At present planning approval is required for air source heat pumps In England and Scotland, whereas changes to permitted development rights have lifted the requirements for planning permission for most other domestic microgeneration technologies including solar thermal panels.

The General Permitted Development Order (GPDO), or the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Domestic Microgeneration) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2009 grants rights to carry out certain limited forms of development on the home, without the need to apply for planning permission. (Note that the permitted development rights are not extended to Listed Buildings which are covered by other planning regulations.) For details see www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115315772306.html

However in the case of air source heat pumps (and micro and small wind), due to legal technicalities the current statutory instrument (SI) does not apply. Once these issues have been resolved, it is expected that air source heat pumps and will be permitted at detached properties that are not in conservation areas. Further legislation is expected later this year. Until then, the local authority regarding planning permission must be consulted and issues considered such as visual impact and noise.

Econic has staff who are experienced in all of these areas to enable us to undertake your project and incorporate all of the necessary legislation and requirements into the system design and implementation.