What are the UK energy efficiency legislations & laws?

The UK government has set ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and improve the energy efficiency of buildings. As a result, a number of legislative deadlines have been set for improving the energy efficiency of properties across the country. Here are some of the key future legislation deadlines for UK property energy efficiency:

1. Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES): The MEES regulations have been in place since 2018 and require privately rented properties in England and Wales to have a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E. Landlords are required to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties if they fall below this standard. From April 1st, 2023, the MEES regulations will be extended to include all existing privately rented properties, not just new tenancies. This means that landlords will need to ensure that all their properties meet the minimum EPC rating of E by 2023, or face financial penalties.
2. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): EPCs are required by law when a building is constructed, sold, or rented. From April 1st, 2025, the government has proposed that all existing homes in the UK must have an EPC rating of C or above to be sold or rented. This is a significant increase from the current minimum rating of E, and it is designed to encourage homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties.
3. The Future Homes Standard: The government has proposed that new homes in England will need to meet the Future Homes Standard from 2025. This means that new homes will need to be designed and constructed to be highly energy-efficient, with low-carbon heating systems and high levels of insulation. The Future Homes Standard will also require new homes to produce 75-80% lower carbon emissions than those built to current building regulations.
4. Heat Networks: The government has proposed regulations for heat networks, which are systems that distribute heat from a central source to multiple buildings. The regulations will set minimum efficiency standards for new and existing heat networks, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency.
5. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO): The current phase of the ECO scheme, which provides funding for energy efficiency improvements to low-income and vulnerable households, is set to end in March 2022. The government has proposed a new phase of the scheme to begin in April 2022, with an emphasis on improving the energy efficiency of social housing.
6. The Building Regulations: The Building Regulations set out minimum standards for the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings. The government has proposed a series of updates to the regulations, which will come into force from 2022. These updates will introduce new energy efficiency standards for new and existing buildings, as well as requirements for the installation of electric vehicle charging points in new buildings.

In conclusion, the UK government has set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions and improving the energy efficiency of buildings. A number of legislative deadlines have been set to encourage property owners to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes and buildings. These deadlines include the extension of the MEES regulations to include all existing privately rented properties from 2023, the proposal to require all existing homes to have an EPC rating of C or above by 2025, and the introduction of the Future Homes Standard for new homes from 2025. By meeting these deadlines and making energy efficiency improvements, property owners can contribute to the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy and help to tackle climate change.