Enforce the Building Regulations
A clear strategy for standards (and their enforcement) over the next 45 years is required to ensure transformation of the housing stock. The establishment of high minimum standards for new builds and major refurbishments should be a central component of the strategy. The Regulations already stipulate certain standards for insulation and ventilation, but these need to be strengthened as well as expanded to require the installation of LZC technologies.
The Building Regulations could cover major refurbishment as well as new build. To achieve the large scale of improvements required in the housing stock the focus needs to shift towards new measures as the cost-effective measures are taken up. Compliance with the Building Regulations needs to be improved if claimed energy efficiency and resulting carbon saving measures are to have any basis. There are few studies on the energy performance of buildings post occupancy, but they suggest that standards are frequently not met (Olivier, 2001; EST, 2004). To ensure compliance with standards in both new and existing buildings, resources and training are needed to support building control inspectors and surveyors.