Welcome to the Buildpass Sustainable Construction Blog

Have you heard of the latest innovation is energy efficiency, Air-Powered showers? Here, UK-based company Kelda tells us all about their unique range of showers and how they can contribute to your Appendix Q goals. Here at Buildpass, we love nothing more than hearing from energy-innovators bringing boundaries in the industry. So, when we sawRead the full article…

As we approach the end of 2024, those of us in sustainable construction are looking ahead with anticipation. The Future Homes Standard is set to come into full force in 2025, marking a crucial step forward in the UK’s journey toward net-zero emissions by 2050. This landmark regulation promises to change the way we design,Read the full article…

The UK’s rollout of heat pump installations is running behind schedule, according to the National Audit Office. But what’s the reason for the drop and what does this mean for the green agenda? For some time now, heat pumps have sat front and centre of Government plans to bring the UK closer and closer toRead the full article…

The Home Energy Model is due to come into effect in 2025 – but what is it, what is it replacing and what does it mean for you? Back in December 2023, the UK Government shared consultations on the Home Energy Model – aka, a replacement for the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). While SAP isRead the full article…

In the ever-evolving landscape of building regulations and energy efficiency standards, at Buildpass we keep a close eye on the guidelines that shape how the construction industry works. A crucial turning point occurred when SAP 10 was introduced, representing a substantial revision that fundamentally altered our approach to addressing thermal bridging in building design. InRead the full article…

Baffled by Part O of the Building Regulations? You aren’t alone. Here we explain what we really think about Building Regulations Part O (Overheating). There’s a lot of talk about Part O of the Building Regulations – talk that’s been going on for some time since it was first mentioned in December 2021. The apparentRead the full article…

We look back at the core themes, challenges and opportunities that have influenced the energy sector in the past year. Every year, we like to take a look back at what’s happened within the world of sustainable energy – the shake ups, the plateaus and everything in between. And this year has certainly been aRead the full article…

Re-roofing your home? Here are 5 ways to make your roof more energy efficient. Replacing an existing roof with a brand new, greener roof is a great way to work on your overall energy efficiency and costs. And especially since 25% of a home’s heat is lost through a roof, it really does present anRead the full article…

Thermal bridging can feel like a bit of a dark art. Read our latest blog to find out what thermal bridging is, what schemes are available and how you can avoid it. SAP conventions mean that there are a lot of (necessary!) hoops to jump through if you want to be considered environmentally and energyRead the full article…

SAP calculations are necessary for residential new build projects, in order to demonstrate compliance with Part L1a of Building Regulations.  The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the means by which the Government assesses and compares the energy and environmental performance of different dwellings. This SAP rating is necessary for anyone working on new residential developments,Read the full article…

A consortium of housing associations is looking for contractors and consultants for a retrofit framework worth £1.48bn. Here at Buildpass, we are committed to staying at the forefront of the sustainable construction agenda – as part of this, we are dedicated to bringing you all the latest updates from the world of energy performance andRead the full article…

Infrared Heating Panels are the one of the most eco-conscious choices you could make for your home, and we’re here to prove it! Infrared heating is not a new concept: these clever panels have been used for a long time in Scandinavia and Germany, so why are we just catching up now? As with anyRead the full article…

Earlier this year, the government introduced Part O of the Building Regulations to minimise overheating risk in homes. But why is overheating an issue and how can TM59 assessments help you navigate it? There’s no avoiding the fact that weather patterns here in the UK are not only changing, but they’re becoming more and moreRead the full article…

Read our latest guest post with James from Mixergy, market leader in hot water tank innovation. Created back in 2015, Mixergy are the makers of The Mixology Tank – an exciting, modern and innovative product which is re-thinking how hot water is done, using technology to find cost-effective and convenient solutions which help people liveRead the full article…

What is the Target Primary Energy Rate? Find out in our latest blog. Target Primary Energy rate is a requirement of the Part L regulation. Part L is a building regulation that regulates construction projects that are new or in the process of changing the use of a dwelling within the UK. It sets theRead the full article…

Thermal Bridging can have a huge impact on your home’s energy efficiency. But, what is it exactly and how can we avoid its negative effects? In the world of energy efficiency and sustainable construction, thermal bridging is a popular term that we need to discuss and understand. A thermal bridge, also known as a coldRead the full article…

Interested in converting your build? Getting a SAP Calculation should be a top priority in your planning and design. But don’t worry, this blog will go into detail about all things conversions and SAP calculations. Read the full article…

In the next couple of months, the government is planning to make changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, which will come into effect this June. These changes have sparked discussion across the industry about how to best achieve compliance.  What is Part L of the Building Regulations and why is it important? PartRead the full article…

New government rules say new homes and buildings across England are being asked to produce significantly less CO2 to help the country move closer to their net zero targets.Read the full article…

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a simple way for the industry to understand the energy efficiency and carbon emission of your home. The certificate is used for buildings which are being sold, let or constructed in the UK. Read our latest blog for the full lowdown on EPCs, who needs them and how they are calculated. Read the full article…

Discover the most eco-friendly construction materials for sustainable construction in 2021. We highlight the best materials for a sustainable design using green build methodsRead the full article…

We’re delighted to share another article in the Buildpass Guest Post Series. Today we’re hearing from the brilliant A. Proctor Group all about how window reveals can impact energy efficiency (and they’re ‘go to’ product to keep these energy issues at bay).Read the full article…

A kilo-watt hour (kWh) is a measure of how much energy a property uses. But what does this actually mean and how can you use it to measure your energy usage?Read the full article…

Overheating in buildings is a growing problem in the UK and can cause both discomfort and a negative environmental impact. We explore how sustainable construction can minimise overheating in dwellings.Read the full article…

Buildpass were recently invited to work with the idyllic Arms Garden – a rural development of 14 plots – on their SAP calculations, air leakage tests and energy performance certificates. Find out more in our latest case study.Read the full article…