New homes will have to be better insulated and make use of more efficient heating systems under new building regulations announced this week.

The plans will save one million tonnes of carbon per year by 2010, equivalent to emissions from more than one million semi-detached homes, ODPM and DEFRA announced.

The changes to Parts F and L (ventilation and fuel conservation) of the Building Regulations two years ahead of schedule from April 2006 and the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will make a major contribution to the UK’s commitment to combat climate change, said the government. 

The revised Part L will also make air pressure leakage testing of buildings mandatory, improving compliance with the regulations by showing where there is unacceptable leakage, which can reduce the energy efficiency of buildings.

These measures alongside changes to condensing boilers will deliver increased energy standards for new buildings, including around 27% in non-dwellings, 22% in houses and 18% in flats. On average the increase in dwellings will be 20% which reflects the growing proportion of flats being built with more people now living alone.

The new measures taken together with changes to strengthen Building Regulations in 2002 will improve standards by 40%, cutting fuel bills by up to 40% for new homes built from 2006.

The government is also announcing a wide-ranging review to look at improving energy efficiency standards of existing buildings.

Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper said: "These new standards are good news for consumers' energy bills and for the environment too."

"This is the latest in a line of improvements ranging from refurbishing social housing to tightening boiler regulations which are helping to cut carbon emissions."

To maximise the impact of Building Regulations on climate change these measures are being brought forward by two years from 2008 to April 2006. This includes a deferral of three months from the implementation date set out in the Energy White Paper, to give the building industry sufficient time to prepare.

In addition, from April 2006 all new residential development receiving government funding will need to meet a new national Code for Sustainable Buildings. The Code will go beyond Building Regulations covering not just fuel and power but also the efficient use of water, ensuring much higher sustainability standards.

The government is also concerned to further improve energy efficiency in existing buildings. Households are responsible for about 30% of total UK energy use.

The ODPM will be leading a review, in conjunction with HM Treasury, DTI and DEFRA, to identify measures to increase the sustainability of existing dwellings. The review will start urgently with a view to consulting stakeholders in spring 2006.