With recent record-breaking temperatures a taste of things to come according to experts, there are now new Building Regulations to protect homes from overheating.
Part O of the updated Building Regulations, which took effect from June 2022, address climate change and lay out the new rules around protecting homes from overheating and to protect the occupants’ health and welfare.
Building Control Officers at DBCP are now working with house builders, architects, builders and home owners across Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands to ensure the new regulations are adopted.
The regulations, which relate to new house builds or extensions, cover limiting excess solar gain from windows in each room and providing easy ways to quickly remove excess heat from an indoor environment if needed.
The new regulations stipulate maximum allowed glazing area of a building, cross ventilation requirements and acceptable strategies for reducing overheating risk, which include shutters and awnings, external blinds and overhangs.
David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP commented: “For many years we have been focused on conserving heat in our homes which, in the recent heatwave, has been a problem. With the UK’s average temperature getting warmer, it’s important that future residential construction projects minimise the amount of heat and solar radiation coming into the home.
“My team and I have studied the new Part O Building Regulations and are confident that the measures within in them are both cost-effective and straightforward to incorporate in building designs.”
While some of the new regulations affect future new builds and extensions, the issue remains of how to protect homes now from high external. With these tips, you can help to keep your home cool when the next inevitable heatwavearrives.
-
- Keep the hot air out, let the cool air in – Before it starts getting hotter as the sun rises, keep windows, doors and blinds/curtains closed throughout the day. You can let some cooler air in either through the night or in the early hours of the morning to help cool down the property.
-
- Reduce heat-making activities – Daily practices such as enjoying a hot shower or cooking can drastically increase the heat in your home. Try taking cold showers and eating cold food or, if you want to prepare for the heatwave, meal prep and cook ahead of schedule.
-
- Reflect extreme heat – Particularly useful for conservatories, heat-repelling window films can reflect the solar radiation and help you keep the room a lot cooler. For a more long-term fix, consider installing blinds in these rooms.
-
- Switch off appliances – Whether it’s a charger, laptop or even an iron, it’s wise to cut down use-time with any item that emits heat. Switch off and unplug as many appliances as possible.
-
- Install proper insulation – Insulation doesn’t just keep the heat in your home, it also keeps it cooler by preventing heat from getting in. Having proper insulation can be extremely beneficial to any property, both in the summer and winter.
If you’re planning any home modifications or extensions and want to ensure they meet Building Regulations ahead of construction starting, speak to our friendly team of experts for advice and information on 0333 880 2000 or get in touch here.