Energy efficiency - regulation in existing non-domestic buildings: call for evidence

2. Effectiveness

We are seeking evidence and examples of regulations that have had a concrete and measurable effect on any combination of the following:

• Non-domestic buildings' energy efficiency
• Energy consumption for heating purposes
• Greenhouse gas (CO_2e) emissions

We are also seeking evidence of how regulations have led to changes in any of the following:

• installation of zero emissions heating systems
• building fabric
• building users' behaviours
• business operating costs
• capital investment
• business productivity

Q2: Can you provide quantitative evidence of the costs and effects driven by regulatory frameworks in the areas specified above?

Q3: Can you provide examples of regulatory frameworks which you consider successful/unsuccessful in their operation, and the factors responsible for this?

2.1 Identification

The non-domestic built environment is diverse and we are seeking evidence of routes to define and identify individual properties, premises and buildings. We are particularly interested in regulatory schemes which have identified all non-domestic buildings within a region using identifiers such as:

• Premises or units within buildings
• Individual buildings
• Groups of buildings that form one campus or site
• Companies

Q4: Can you provide evidence of regulatory frameworks which use these, or any other units, to identify or define buildings?

2.2 Triggers

We are seeking evidence of the types of events or activities which can identify or be used to set the point at which buildings or organisations become subject to regulations. Examples of these events are:

• Building sale or rental
• Refurbishment
• The point of financial, corporate or local tax returns
• Inspections of building or equipment

Q5: Can you provide evidence of frameworks which have used these, or any other events, to trigger regulatory actions?

2.3 Categories

We are particularly interested in examples of regulations that are applied according to different categories such as:

• Building size
• Building location
• Tenure
• Industry sector
• Energy use
• Emissions

Q6: Can you provide evidence of frameworks which use these, or any other categories, to vary the form of regulations?

Q7: Can you provide evidence of how and to what extent regulations are varied by category?

2.4 Enforcement

The level and quality of compliance is a significant challenge for regulatory frameworks. We are seeking evidence of successful/unsuccessful enforcement methods used in regulatory frameworks. We are particularly interested in the use of exemptions within regulatory frameworks and evidence that these are operating as planned.

Q8: Can you provide evidence of the use of exemptions within regulatory frameworks?

Q9: Can you provide evidence of enforcement methods used to drive compliance within a regulatory framework?

2.5 Measurement

The aspect of non-domestic building performance being measured is a key feature which varies in different regulatory approaches. We are seeking evidence of the effective use of measurements within regulations such as:

• Actual measured direct or indirect emissions
• Estimated direct or indirect emissions
• Fuel consumption or costs
• Installation of specified heating or cooling equipment
• Thermal resistance of building elements
• Internal operating temperatures

We are also seeking evidence of the measurement of any consequential impacts which were outside the original intended scope of regulations, such as:

• Land Use
• Fuel Poverty
• Comfort Levels

Q10: Can you provide evidence of measurements used by regulatory frameworks?