How the introduction of Part O of the Building Regulations can combat overheating

The UK isn’t renowned for its hot weather, but the past few summers have been an exception with long spells of uncomfortable heat causing plants, pets and the nation to wilt! It has also raised further questions about the planet heating up and whether these extreme heat spells might become more frequent. The issues of overheating Increased temperatures could spell disaster for the UK as currently 20% of existing homes overheat, equating to almost 5.5 million properties. With high levels of wall insulation, driven by regulations to protect our homes against the cold, this figure will only increase as summer heat cannot escape. The reason for such high numbers of homes overheating is partly down to the popularity of incorporating large expanses of glass including sliding/bi-folding doors and skylights, and this has been made somewhat fashionable by TV programmes such as Grand Designs. The introduction and goal of Part O The government introduced Part O of the Building Regulations on 15 June 2022 to prevent homes overheating in the summer caused by modern ‘glass box’ building design, with high levels of wall insulation. The goal is to limit unwanted solar gain over the warmer seasons and provide occupants with adequate means of quickly removing excess heat from indoor environments. A recent article cited: “the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) had become increasingly concerned about overheating in homes. CIBSE had therefore produced evidence and contributed to various government steering groups and projects considering the issue over the past decade. More recently, CIBSE was part of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee that advised the government on the various ways in which overheating could be addressed in the Building Regulations.” Thankfully, the advice CIBSE gave was listened to, and now forms the basis of the new Part O Building Regulation. The new regulation will change the way new homes are designed and built, and large expanses of glass will need to include exterior shading of some description to prevent overheating, and air conditioning is not a solution, Why external shading is the obvious solution External shading is the most effective solution to prevent overheating and while it would be easy to sing its praises so as to garner sales, there is more to it. It has actually been detailed in the approved overheating regulation document. Acceptable strategies for reducing overheating risk Solar gains in summer should be limited by fixed shading devices, comprising any of the following: Shutters External blinds Overhangs Awnings How do awnings and external blinds work? Installing External Blinds or awnings keeps buildings cool by providing a dynamic protective layer to the outside of the glass, absorbing and deflecting up to 97% of solar radiation, in turn reducing interior room temperatures by up to 18 degrees and cutting the energy consumption otherwise needed to cool down a hot room by over 80%. They diffuse incoming light to prevent glare, blocking damaging UV rays to prevent fixtures and fittings from bleaching by the sun and also offer extra privacy – particularly in built-up areas – while adding a striking new dynamic to any façade. Automatic outdoor blinds are the preferred option, positioning themselves based on the ambient conditions to ensure a thermally and visually comfortable indoor environment with minimum energy demand on any installed heating and cooling systems, reducing energy costs and CO2 emissions as a result. While the introduction of the new Part 0 regulation will prevent new homes being built that are susceptible to overheating, occupants currently living in those properties that overheat need to do something about their situation, other than installing air conditioning.

How the introduction of Part O of the Building Regulations can combat overheating

Stuart Dantzic, managing director at Caribbean Blinds, discusses the issues of overheating in properties and how the introduction of Part O of the Building Regulations can combat this issue

Read Next

How to add value to your property this spring

What is causing European investors to lower their real estate allocations?

Unlocking the full potential of unused land in urban areas

Developers must unlock empty buildings for decarbonisation

The most lucrative up-and-coming locations to buy property

How to add value to your property this spring

What is causing European investors to lower their real estate allocations?

Unlocking the full potential of unused land in urban areas

Developers must unlock empty buildings for decarbonisation

The most lucrative up-and-coming locations to buy property

Crest Nicholson launches show homes in Warwickshire

Peel NRE submits plans to regenerate Fiddler’s Ferry

Barberry celebrates record profits of £17.1m

RLAM sells Preston leisure park to British Land for £51.5m

BoE raises interest rates to 4.25%

Read Next

How to add value to your property this spring

What is causing European investors to lower their real estate allocations?

Unlocking the full potential of unused land in urban areas

Developers must unlock empty buildings for decarbonisation

The most lucrative up-and-coming locations to buy property

Related Articles

Crest Nicholson launches show homes in Warwickshire

Peel NRE submits plans to regenerate Fiddler’s Ferry

Barberry celebrates record profits of £17.1m

RLAM sells Preston leisure park to British Land for £51.5m

BoE raises interest rates to 4.25%