Kevin Taylor, Training & Technical Support Manager at Marley, gives an overview of the driving forces behind the important changes to Part L and what they mean for merchants.
It’s almost a year since the changes to Part L of the building regulations came into force. Concerning both new construction projects and some refurbishment work for dwellings and other buildings in England, Part L heralds the UK’s net zero greenhouse gas emissions target.
What’s driving net zero?
Kevin said: “The drive towards the net zero target is a response to several important factors that affect everybody. Climate change, brought about by human activity – predominantly the excessive use of fossil fuels, is leading to natural disasters becoming more commonplace. Extreme weather conditions, including flooding and drought both here and across the globe, will inform everything that government does going forward.
“The UK government’s net zero policy, which demands that all new homes should produce 31% lower carbon emissions, along with its VAT cut to 0% on the installation of energy-saving materials in residential properties as well as advances in green technologies, is forcing the construction industry to rethink how homes and other buildings will be heated in the future – and fast.
“In addition, the current and ongoing energy crisis, precipitated by the war in Ukraine, brought a huge blow to Europe’s energy security as Russian gas supplies are no longer reliable. The resulting huge energy price hikes mean that the government’s policy of greater energy self-sufficiency – with an increasing focus on renewables and a reduction in fossil fuel usage – takes on even greater urgency.
“In brief, climate change, our response to it via Part L and the high cost of energy are working together to push demand for green technologies, such as solar PV, through the roof.”
Fabric first approach
Going forward, both residential and commercial new build properties, will benefit from a ‘fabric first’ approach, meaning that architects and specifiers will consider and incorporate a more holistic green approach to their designs from the get go. With sustainability in mind, heat pumps, effective insulation and air-tightness will be integral to future designs and renewables, like solar PV, will be factored in.
Budgets for upgrades
However, what about the vast swathes of housing stock that need updating, especially social housing? The government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy and associated £1.5 billion Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund set aside for improvements on EPC in social housing is available for social landlords, including housing associations, to carry out energy efficient technology upgrades in their tenants’ homes and goes some way to delivering a more sustainable future.
Looking to increase the ‘fabric efficiency’ of existing housing stock, this initiative applies to the improvement of, amongst other things, windows, insulation and roofs. Indeed, integrated solar panels, such as Marley SolarTile are included as they are classified as roofing and it is crucial that merchants prepare for this by ensuring that they carry the stock that will be massively in demand going forwards.
Although the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund can help, deadlines for landlords, local authorities and housing associations are imminent for them to provide the urgent energy transformation of the homes that they are responsible for. Certainly, in the short term, in order to reach targets, a combination of an efficient gas boiler and solar PV on the roof appears to be the easiest and most cost-effective way to meet the new Part L targets, thanks to the fact that supply chains are ready and solar PV technology is tried, tested and trusted.
What does this mean for merchants?
Kevin said: “With demand for all renewable technologies set only to rise, the need for roofing contractors to fit solar PV will also drastically increase – and they will be looking to merchants for a reliable and convenient supply of solar PV to fulfil this demand.
“Manufacturers such as Marley – whose Marley SolarTile integrated solar panel provides an innovative, reliable and sustainable solar energy system – can support forward thinking merchants and their customers with training and specialist technical advice – make sure you don’t miss out.”
For further details on Marley’s full roof system, including SolarTile, please visit www.marley.co.uk/solar or call 01283 722222.
