Determining the principles for a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard - Analysis of Consultation Responses

Appendix A: Quantitative Analysis

The consultation included 27 closed questions which asked respondents for their views on the proposed approach set out in the consultation paper. This appendix details the responses to these questions.

Not all respondents answered every question. Some may not have answered as they hold no strong view on the question, or it may not relate to their area of knowledge or expertise. As noted, those respondents submitting a campaign response did not answer the closed questions. However, where those who did not answer the closed questions expressed a view in their open comments, this has been noted in the qualitative analysis.

To allow comparisons across sub-groups, the tables in this report and appendix present the results of the closed questions based on those who answered each question.

For clarity, each table shows:

• The percentage of respondents from the total sample of 350 respondents who selected each response (grey row).
• The percentage of respondents among those who answered each question, broken down by individual and organisation responses and by type of organisation (rows including and under "All answering").
• The sample size column notes how many respondents within each audience answered each question.

Please note that the row percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.

Q1. Do you broadly agree with the statements on what 'equivalent' should not mean, in delivery of amended building standards to address energy and environmental performance?

Q2. Do you broadly agree with the statements on what 'equivalent' should require consideration of, in delivery of amended building standards to address energy and environmental performance.

Q3. On the basis that HEM and SBEM are reviewed and shown to report representative outcomes, do you support the continued use of calculation tools which implement the UK methodologies?

Q4. Do you support retention of the current approach and the setting of relative performance targets for new buildings through an approved calculation methodology?

Q5. Do you agree with the proposal to retain delivered energy, covering only regulated energy use, as the main compliance metric for targets set under standard 6.1 (energy demand)?

Q6. Do you support further consideration of the introduction of a prescriptive space heating demand limit for new buildings through building regulations?

Q7. Do you support the move to application of regional climate data within the approved calculation methodologies and their application within compliance targets?

Q8. Do you currently deliver new buildings that exceed 'backstop' values for fabric performance set under standard 6.2 or those used to define the notional building in guidance to standard 6.1?

Q9. Do you have any particular views on limiting fabric infiltration through the building standards?

Q10. Do you have any particular views on the means by which effective ventilation of new buildings is best achieved?

Q11. Specifically for new homes should further guidance be given on MVHR, generally, and through the Technical Handbooks?

Q12. Are there areas of newbuild design and specification you would wish to highlight as potential risks to occupant comfort that should be better addressed through the building standards?

Q13. Do you consider that Passivhaus Certification offers a feasible alternative means of compliance with standard 6.1 (energy demand)?

Q14. Are there any other comments or observations you wish to make on the proposed components of the review which relate to building design?

Q15. Do you currently apply an in-house or third-party compliance management process to your projects which specifically addresses energy and environmental project elements?

Q18. Do you currently apply a particular approach to the recording of project information during construction that can demonstrate, to a third party, that work complies with energy-related aspects of building regulations?

Q19. Do you currently compile and report summary information on the completed building as part of a handover record of project information that goes beyond what is currently required by building regulations?

Q20. Do you have experience of implementing methods to effectively de-risk the very low energy building aspects of design and construction and provide assurance that the compliant solutions are properly considered and delivered as intended?

Q21. Do you consider the proposals set out present a reasonable summary of why there is a need for improvement in compliance processes to deliver very low energy buildings?

Q22. Do you consider the proposed scope of application and recommended actions are appropriate to address the effective delivery of very low energy buildings?

Q23. Do you support the application of provisions from an early (pre-warrant) design stage through to completion and handover of the building?

Q25. Do the recommendations presented adequately describe action to affect the key roles and responsibilities of those who contribute to building compliance?

Q26. Are you currently designing buildings to the February 2023 standards and have confirmed specifications which are at a stage that have been or will be used in a building warrant application, that you would be happy to share with us?

Q27. With regards to the current approach to target setting and overheating risk, do you have experience related to either of these two issues you consider useful to inform review of the current published guidance or this review of current energy and environmental standards?

Q28. Have you undertaken any projects under the post-2023 energy standards which considered connection to a new or existing heat network, both district heat networks and communal heating systems?

Q29. Do you have experience of issues affecting development which you consider have arisen from application of current energy and environmental standards set under building regulations?

Q30. Do you agree with the proposal to mandate the standard in 2028, introducing changes initially as a voluntary standard from 2026?