Insulation specialist Actis has created new learning resources and thermal efficiency guidance with the launch of their latest CPD modules.
Future Homes Standard: Changes to Part F, Part L and Part O of the Building Regulations
Changes to Part L along with the introduction of Part O, mean specifiers need to strike a careful balance when looking at maximising thermal efficiency while ensuring homes don’t overheat.
Insulation specialist Actis, whose products are designed to address both sides of the temperature issue, has created thermal efficiency guidance in the form of a number of CPDs designed to help architects, builders, and building control officers navigate the tricky waters of the revised Building Regulations and prepare for Net Zero in 2050.
We talk to Actis technical director Thomas Wiedmer and specification manager Amaret Chahal about what these training modules offer, as well as the best ways to insulate older
properties – and how the sessions can help you prepare for the Future Homes Standard.
1. Part L
The Actis RIBA-approved CPD is transforming the understanding of future homes standards, helping builders, architects and building control officers negotiate the complexities of revised Part L.
Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standards offers a helpful breakdown of
precisely how the changes will affect the day-to-day work of those in the industry.
The free one-hour module gives guidance on how to meet revised energy efficiency targets which see new build homes having to reduce carbon emissions by 31% over previous levels.
It looks at different tactics to help achieve the greater goal of building Net Zero by 2050, such as the increased importance of having a ‘fabric first’ approach.
Actis regional specification manager and co-author of the CPD, Amaret Chahal, explained: “Combining efficient building technologies with a thermally sound building structure is the key to achieving these requirements. Reducing the need for energy in the first place is
essential, which means minimising overall heat loss through thermal bridging and improving air tightness.”
The CPD looks in detail at ways to improve U-values, reduce thermal bridging, address the performance gap and improve air tightness. And to ensure these changes don’t create a problem in the other direction, it will look at how to ensure there are no issues with
overheating.
New Part O Regulations oblige architects to limit unwanted solargains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings. While some insulation products can make homes unbearably hot in the summer, reflective alternatives also act as coolants – helping protect the health and comfort of the occupants.
“The key way to minimise thermal bridging is to make sure insulation is continuous and has no gaps,” explained Amaret. “Using flexible reflective insulation, such as those in the Actis Hybrid range and our new two-in-one Eolis HC, is an excellent way of achieving this.
Because Hybris doesn’t need to be cut with 100 percent accuracy like solid insulation, it can be moulded into corners, gaps and awkward junctions, making for a snug, leakfree fit.”
The CPD, which uses cupcakes to illustrate key points (you’ll have to attend in person to benefit!), also looks at SAP 10, the latest update to the Standard Assessment Procedure, which is incorporated within revised Part L Regulations and designed to ensure correct thermal modelling junctions are used.
The Standard Assessment Procedure is used to work out the predicted energy use and emission rate of a dwelling. It assesses how much energy will be used, how much of it will be lost or gained, how efficient the home is at retaining heat, and ensures minimum fabric energy efficiency requirements are met.
The CPD looks at how a building’s energy efficiency is quantified by offsetting heat losses against heat gains and examines the eight areas which have been updated under the new, revised SAP 10. It highlights changes to default y-values, the removal of Accredited
Construction Details (ACD’s) and reminds developers of penalties for those who don’t consider heat loss through building junctions by simply overlooking the value of having thermal modelled junctions.
Part L changes are another step in the direction towards far more stringent energy efficiency requirements for new homes, which will be laid down under the forthcoming Future Homes Standard, expected to be in place by 2025.
That in turn, will play a key role in enabling the UK Construction industry to meet its 2050 net zero target.
The Actis Hybrid range and its new two-in-one Eolis HC offer excellent U-values, counteract thermal bridging and address airtightness. As the products are flexible and can bend around corners and be gently moulded into gaps, they are excellent at creating a thermal envelope, free of gaps through which heat could otherwise escape.
2. PAS2035
The specification offers a holistic approach to retrofitting for thermal efficiency
A specification championing a wholehouse approach to retrofitting is an important step in the battle to improve the thermal efficiency of Britain’s aged housing stock. Actis UK and Ireland technical director Thomas Wiedmer says PAS 2035:2019 is particularly important as more than 25% of the UK’s houses are more than 100 years old.
Indeed, with one of the oldest housing stocks in the world, improving insulation is a pretty crucial element in enabling the nation to reduce its carbon emissions, he says.
The standard specifies a holistic approach to retrofitting domestic dwellings.
It is a guide for all government supported projects, including those under the Energy Company Obligation ECO, but it can be used on a voluntary basis for private homes outside these schemes.
Thomas explained: “The standard champions a matrix approach in which each individual measure is examined in the context of the whole house. This is because one action might have unintended consequences elsewhere in the property. It is important to look at each case on an individual basis.”
Combined with recent changes to Building Regulations, which impose more stringent energy efficiency targets, PAS 2035 provides a good framework for reaching carbon emission goals, he states.
“One of the unintended consequences which could occur if not looking at the house in its entirety is the appearance of moisture or condensation,” he went on.
“For example, while on the surface it may seem sensible to insulate all external walls to the best possible U-value, this could have unintended consequences elsewhere. Where the ceiling joists meet the walls, in some scenarios, can create a weak thermal bridge. This might lead to moisture build-up and mould growth so it may, counterintuitive, be better to use less rather than more insulation.
“PAS 2035 acknowledges that retrofit projects often go wrong because of poor attention to the corners, junctions and edges of building elements (where insulation and air barriers should be continuous) and the interfaces between the building fabric, the building services and the occupants.
“The matrix approach will also highlight, for example, if a revised ventilation strategy needs to be in place when an airtight envelope is created to avoid problems with condensation and mould.”
3. Overheating
Part O – How to mitigate climate change-sparked overheating
With Part O of the Building Regulations obliging architects to
limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings, specifiers need to be aware of the role insulation has to play in helping mitigate the effects of rising global temperatures.
While some insulation products can make homes unbearably hot in the summer, reflective alternatives also act as coolants – helping protect the health and comfort of the occupants.
For example, the Actis Hybrid range and Actis’ new two-in-one Eolis HC help buildings stay cool, with the reflective films from which Eolis HC is created reflecting 95% of infrared radiation.
But while choosing the correct insulation can help in a heatwave, it won’t address the significant effects of solar gain through windows, which needs to be addressed by using curtains or siting the windows in strategic positions in the first place.
4. Compliance with revised building regs
Further Actis CPD module focuses on compliance
A further Actis CPD module looks at how installers can ensure their insulation and membrane use complies with Building Regulations.
While its natural focus is on compliance with Part L – conservation of fuel and power, the module also examines in detail how the four Actis Hybrid products comply with Parts B (fire safety), C (site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture), D (toxic substances) and E (resistance to the passage of sound).
It examines how the blanket style nature of insulation Hybris, insulating vapour control layer HControl Hybrid and insulating breather membranes Boost R Hybrid and Boost R Hybrid Roof all help minimise or eliminate thermal
bridging.
It also looks at how they achieve superb U-values without the risk of condensation. And it flags up tools which specifiers can use to ensure they make the correct choices to ensure compliance.
The thermal efficiency guidance from Actis is flexible and accessible
The free one hour CPDs – there are three in the Actis armoury – are organised at venues and times to suit the audience and can include buffet, snacks or breakfast, or can
be carried out on line.
For more information, contact Actis at technical@insulation-actis.com, on 01249 462888 or via www.insulation-actis.com.
To learn more about the Future Homes Standard, read the full eBook.
