Reconstructing the Builders' Rulebook to Reduce Emissions & Bills

Housing and Planning Minister John Healey has announced changes to the country's building regulations. The amendments coming into force this year will make homes 25% more energy efficient, typically saving householders £100 a year on their heating bills. Building on the Warm Homes, Greener Homes strategy, the Government is continuing the drive towards all new buildings reaching the zero carbon standard from 2019. The standards will see around 2 million tonnes of carbon saved every year by 2020, equivalent to taking over 3 million cars off of the road. The measures include practical steps that builders can take to make buildings greener, while at the same time ensuring that more efficient, air-tight homes and offices are sufficiently ventilated. Where homeowners choose to extend or renovate their homes, they will now need to use more energy efficient windows and boilers. New homes will need to be more water efficient too, with each household saving, on average, enough water a year for 260 baths. Read the full story on the CLG website by clicking on the logo below.