This week sees the implementation of Part L of the UK Building Regulations, setting new minimum standards for the energy efficiency of homes. Each time major updates are made to building regulations, significant and complex updates are required to the associated software used by project and design teams to ensure their projects’ regulatory compliance. These updates can only be made once the government releases full details behind the targets, including their input parameters and specific calculation methodology.

Yet only the first tranche of the software has been released (covering a fraction of available home heating and renewable technology options), and even this first tranche only at the end of last week. We find ourselves yet again in a position whereby insufficient time has been allowed for project stakeholders to assess the new legislation’s impact, enhance design solutions and confirm compliance ahead of its implementation.