Residential Knowledge

Welcome to our residential knowledge base focused on UK housing compliance and delivering homes that meet Building Regulations first time. Here, you’ll find clear, practical guidance on Part L (SAP calculations and fabric performance), Part O overheating, Part F ventilation testing, and Part G water efficiency.
Whether you're working on a single dwelling, a housing development, or a complex conversion, our content is built around real project delivery. We explain how to achieve compliance efficiently from early design and planning through to airtightness testing and final sign-off—without unnecessary redesigns or hidden costs.
Stay up to date with the latest residential requirements, including Part L 2021, photographic evidence (BREL/BRUKL), and the forthcoming Future Homes Standard, with insights tailored specifically for architects, developers, and housebuilders.

The Part L vs Part O Collision – Why Overheating Compliance is Ruining Your SAP Calculations

Author: Tom Pope

How Solving Overheating (Part O) is Causing Your New Build to Fail Part L
In June 2022, the Building Regulations introduced Approved Document O (Overheating) to address the growing risk of high internal temperatures in new homes. While the intention is sound, the reality on the ground has created a significant compliance headache for developers and architects.

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Part L 2026 Future Homes Standard – A simplified Guide

Author: Tom Pope

The 2026 update to Approved Document L Volume 1 marks the next step toward Net Zero, with all New build houses to be net zero ready. Meaning that homes built from 2027 will not need major upgrades to be able to achieve net zero

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Part O Overheating Guidance for Architects (Simplified Route)

Author: Tom Pope

Understanding the Simplified Method and why this is often the sensible compliance route. This guide explains how the Part O simplified method works, why it is often misunderstood, and when dynamic modelling becomes necessary.

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Important Update: Future Homes Standard & Home Energy Model Timeline

Author: Tom Pope

Government has confirmed that the forth coming Future Homes Standard will initially use SAP 10.3 only, for the foreseeable future, for calculating compliance, with HEM becoming available as an approved methodology at a later date, as yet unconfirmed.

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Air Tightness Testing for Residential Buildings

Author: Tom Pope

A Complete Guide for UK Developers - Discover everything you need to know about air tightness testing for residential buildings in the UK. From Building Regulations compliance to testing procedures, costs, and common failures - expert guidance from Energy Report Limited.

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What Are SAP Calculations? A Clear Guide for Architects, Developers and Self Builders

Author: Tom Pope

If you’re planning a new build, extension, or residential conversion, understanding SAP calculations early can save time, cost, and compliance risk later in the project.

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Over-Glazed Extensions and Part L Compliance

Author: Tom Pope

Large areas of glazing are one of the most desirable features in modern extensions. Many people are not aware there are requirements under Building Regulation Part L that set out the maximum allowable glazed area. Planning an extension with more than the 25% allowance, read on.

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The Importance of Thermal Bridging (Psi-Values)

Author: Tom Pope

Thermal bridging sometimes called cold bridging occurs when heat escapes through weak points in a building’s insulation

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Part O – Overheating: What UK Developers Need to Know

Author: Tom Pope

Overheating in homes is no longer a future concern. With rising summer temperatures and increasingly airtight, well-insulated dwellings, the risk of overheating has become a major health and comfort issue.

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Energy Statements for Planning

Author: Tom Pope

Energy Statements are now a key document in many new build and conversion planning applications for both residential and commercial developments.

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