Scottish building regulations set minimum standards applicable to new buildings and to new work to existing buildings.
A recent draft Heat in Buildings Strategy sets out the Scottish Government vision for decarbonising heat and reducing energy demand across all buildings in Scotland, setting out the scale of the investment opportunity and supporting green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following review in 2007, 2010 and most recently in 2015, these new proposals for the review of energy standards set through building regulations seek to deliver further improvement to the energy efficiency of new buildings and new building work, in line with the Scottish Government’s wider net zero ambitions.
Proposals (for mid-2022) will also address consequential changes to ventilation provision arising from improved energy standards, set out plans for assessment and mitigation of overheating risk in new dwellings and residential buildings, improve compliance with energy standards and seek views on separate proposals (for later implementation) for electric vehicle charging provision in new buildings and those subject to major renovation.
Options for further improvement in Scottish Government energy standards have been developed, in 2020 and 2021, through research and with the support and input of a working group of key industry stakeholders.
However, changes to standards and supporting guidance apply at a national level to all development work across Scotland. The effect of a step change in the level of ambition for energy performance in construction is likely to be significant in some areas.
Therefore, the Scottish Government seeks views and evidence of the challenges and opportunities that are likely to be experienced as it looks to reflect current good practice in the setting of minimum standards for new building work and introduce further changes which will support the broader intent to introduce a 2024 New Build Heat Standard.
The Scottish Government are also separately seeking views on our proposals for the installation of electric vehicle charge points in parking spaces for new residential buildings and new and existing non-residential buildings.
This consultation closes on 29th October 2021.
More information about this consultation and how to take part is available on the Scottish Government website.
