Triple glazing – is it worth it?
December 10, 2020
Choosing the right glazing is an important investment when building a sustainable home. But what is the right choice for you? We’re exploring the differences between double and triple glazing in our latest blog, and whether or not triple is the best way forward for your next project.Read the full article…
What are our top tips for planning advice?
December 3, 2020
When it comes to planning your new build or refurbishment, there are a lot of hoops to jump through; especially if you are dedicated to creating a low energy, zero carbon project. And honestly? It can be a minefield to navigate! That’s why we’ve pulled together our top tips for planning advice over on the blog. We hope they help you focus your planning and clear up any confusion.Read the full article…
What is the role of a BREEAM AP?
November 27, 2020
BREEAM is the world’s largest sustainability method for assessing, rating and certifying the efficiency of a building. But what is a BREEAM AP (Accredited Professional) and what do they actually do? We’re discussing this and more in our latest blog post.Read the full article…
What is the difference between SAP and EPC?
November 20, 2020
Here at Buildpass, we are often asked what the difference is between SAP and EPC. On first glance, they may seem too similar to differentiate – but their roles are actually very unique. In our latest blog, we’re talking about the importance of both SAP and EPC and how they work together.Read the full article…
What is the Heat in Buildings government policy?
November 13, 2020
‘Heat in Buildings’ is a government policy focused on saving carbon and transforming the way we heat our buildings. Read our latest blog to find out about the huge steps already taken on this mission and how it ties into the government’s bigger goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions.Read the full article…
What are SIPs? – Everything you need to know.
November 6, 2020
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) have been dubbed as the building material of the future; an intelligent solution to a more sustainable existence. But, what actually are they? And are they as brilliant as they sound? We’re digging into the finer details of SIPs in our latest blog.Read the full article…
Increasing reasons to consider heat pump retrofits
October 30, 2020
The Buildpass ‘Guest Post Series’ is back – and today we’re hearing from Darren McMahon at Viessmann, who it talking about the increasing reasons to install heat pump retrofits.Read the full article…
Could this be the end of daylight saving?
October 25, 2020
This Sunday sees many of us switch our clocks to ‘fall back’ for daylight savings. But, what is the environmental impact of daylight savings and could this be the last time we experience it?Read the full article…
Everything you should know about Paragraph 79 | The Q & A
October 16, 2020
One of the most common questions we are asked here at Buildpass is how a home can tick and pass Paragraph 79 criterion. It doesn’t come as a surprise; having the chance to build a beautiful, idyllic and innovative home in the middle of nowhere is a HUGE dream for many (including us). Read our latest blog for a special Q&A article all about this NPPF policy.Read the full article…
How can I support Clean Air Day?
October 8, 2020
Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign. But what can you do every single day to improve both air quality and your own health? We’ve outlined our top tips in our latest blog.Read the full article…
What is the new Green Homes Grant (and am I applicable)?
October 1, 2020
The new Green Homes Grant has officially launched! As of Wednesday 30 September, homeowners and landlords can apply for up to £5,000 of vouchers to improve the energy efficiency of their home. In our latest article we’re talking about what this exciting new scheme covers, who is (and isn’t) applicable and how it will contribute to the UK’s net zero target.Read the full article…
What is FSC Friday (and why do we need it)?
September 25, 2020
Today is FSC Friday – The Forest Stewardship Council’s annual event to raise awareness of responsible forest management. This theme for 2020 is ‘Forests for All Together’. Find out more about this year’s campaign and what you can do to support it and join the fight against deforestation. Read the full article…
It’s time to #ActOnClimate for World Green Building week.
September 19, 2020
World Green Building Week runs from 21 – 25 September 2020. This annual campaign encourages people around the world to create greener buildings; one of the most impactful ways we can, together, achieve the global sustainability goals. This year the campaign is asking us to #ActOnClimate. Read our latest article to find out more about this important, worldwide campaign.Read the full article…
What are degree days and how do we use them?
September 10, 2020
Degree days are a specialist type of weather data that combines both the time and temperature components. They are a valuable way to predict and report on the annual heating energy requirements. Read our latest article where we dig a little deeper into what they are and how we can use them.Read the full article…
What are BREEAM credits and why do they matter?
September 4, 2020
Zero Waste Week will run from 7 – 11 September. In celebration of this fantastic campaign, we’re digging into the BREEAM credit system and why BREEAM waste credits are so important.Read the full article…
10 key requirements for Net Zero Carbon Operations.
August 26, 2020
2020 has been a major year for climate change movements; not least with the commitment to Net Zero carbon in new buildings by 2030. While this may feel a long way off, the time to start making positive changes is now. We’re discussing the key requirements for achieving Net Zero (with reference to the LETI summary plan) over on our blog.Read the full article…
Part G Water Calculations are a legal requirement to prove that a new build, extension or conversion is water efficient. These calculations ensure that a home uses as little water as possible: they play a huge role in our fight to create a more sustainable and eco-conscious society. We’re digging into the calculations and what they mean on our blog.Read the full article…
10 top tips for passing your SAP assessment
August 14, 2020
Got a dwelling build on the cards? First things first; you need to pass your SAP assessment. Here we’re laying out our top tips to pass your SAP calculation first time.Read the full article…
What is solar hot water (and is it cost effective)?
August 6, 2020
Solar hot water systems are a sustainable way to harness the free energy from the sun to heat your home, all year round. It won’t come as a surprise that, here at Buildpass, we love digging deeper into the many different sustainable energy sources. And we love sharing our discoveries with you. Our hope isRead the full article…
Permitted Developments Rights
are the rules under which someone can make changes to a building without the need to apply for planning permission. They’re set according to Parliamentary general planning permission, rather than from local planning authorities; aka, they’re firmly set in stone.
Last week, the Government published updates expanding these rights: these updates are a pretty exciting move for homeowners. We’re chatting more about it in our latest blogRead the full article…
Here at Buildpass, we have been enjoying getting to know the different policies, local plans and proposals in Hampshire. This week, we have been digging deeper into The Joint East Hampshire District Council and South Downs National Park Authority Core Policy. We’re unpicking its many layers over on our blog.
Read the full article…
Amongst the chaos of lockdown, we have tried to use this quieter time to create something new for Buildpass.
Because our mission is simple: we want to help builders, designers and homeowners reach their green goals.
However, the path to get there is far from simple!
Which is why we are excited to expand our range of services so that we can help more and more people create better spaces to live; ones that leave a positive mark on our planet. We’re sharing these brilliant changes for Buildpass over on our blog.
Read the full article…
How to pass Building Regulations Part E.
July 3, 2020
Building Regulations Part E1 is your minimum standard of sound insulation between adjoining buildings. It’s aim is to reduce unwanted noise and sound transmission between dwellings… and it’s extremely important to adhere to.
However, it can be tricky to navigate. That’s why we’re created a guide that unpicks Part E requirements and shows you how to improve your chances of passing it – first time!
Read the full article…
How to keep your house cool during summer.
June 25, 2020
Whether you’re a sun worshipper or more of an English rose, a hot and stuffy house can be a bit of a nightmare. And as we officially move into the summer (coupled with some seriously hot days) the need to keep your house cool is becoming a bigger priority. We’re exploring the many ways to design a home that stays cool in the summer (without the need for air conditioning). Read the full article…
Buildpass investigates… the Winchester Local Plan.
June 19, 2020
We are thrilled to launch a new Buildpass series: Buildpass Investigates…
We will be tapping into the huge variety of planning requirements across the region, and how these differ from location to location. Because the scope is vast, with some areas having incredibly ambitious targets to other local authorities have no sustainable targets at all.
First up? We’re unravelling the Winchester Local Plan.
Read the full article…
