The issue

Over the past ten years housing development has changed. No longer are new estates of detached homes the norm, instead the apartment block is back in vogue, many of them connected to new offices and shops.

But this isn't just an issue of aesthetics. One of the challenges developers are now facing is how to incorporate energy efficiency technologies into their new schemes. In fact, it's not unusual for planning permission to hinge on such proposals.Revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations (which cover the conservation of fuel and power) came into force in April 2007. Their aim is to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and thereby make a significant contribution to the Government's targets on climate change.

The new regulations apply to both the construction of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing ones which have a total surface area of over 1000m². They establish overall performance standards and maximum C02 emission levels, and set designers the challenge of making much greater use of energy savings technologies and low and zero carbon systems.

The solution

Community heating schemes using CHP or renewables can provide extensive CO2 reductions and often form the most economic way to meets Part L regulations, particularly with rising energy prices.

Vital Energi has been designing and installing these schemes for decades, while operating and maintaining them has become second nature to our staff. We know the potential pitfalls and we know how to maximise their efficiency, which puts us in a prime position to be an effective project partner.