Welcome to the Buildpass Sustainable Construction Blog

As society endeavours to move closer to net-zero buildings, could transparent solar panels replace windows for good? Transparent solar panels – they sound pretty incredible, right? What may seem like a concept from science fiction is very much on track to change the landscape of sustainable construction: so much so that scientists in the USRead the full article…

Winter always brings with it dark mornings and cold nights – but this year, the pressure to save money whilst staying warm is higher than ever. Read on for our 10 cost-effective tips for keeping the chill out this winter. December has officially landed with a bang – a drastic drop in temperature and aRead 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…

Proposed Part Z building regulations could provide mandatory assessments and reporting of whole life carbon. What does this mean for self builders? Embodied carbon is a hot topic in the world of sustainable construction. With the net zero drive on the horizon, making a conscious and deliberate effort to cut your carbon emissions from theRead the full article…

Follow these steps to build low carbon buildings, produce more sustainable homes and reduce your carbon footprint. There is no avoiding the fact that those in the construction landscape need to prioritise sustainability in the design, construction and ongoing maintenance of buildings. Construction industry emissions are at a frightening high, with reports suggesting that theRead the full article…

With the burden of energy costs only rising, what can community building owners do to keep their bills as low as possible and save themselves the headache? There is no escaping the ever rising concerns around energy bills and their impact on day-to-day living. And while there are many ways that as an individual youRead 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…

From topping up your insulation to draught proofing your home, our top energy efficiency tips will help you save money and cut down on those bills. The ‘cost of living’ is probably a phrase that you’re tired of hearing. It’s everywhere, and it’s frightening. However, the reality is that this is something we are allRead the full article…

BRE has published new advice on Site Layout for Daylight and Sunlight. Read on for our summary. Replacing the previous edition of ‘Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight: a guide to good practice’ (BR209 2022), the new advice is the 3rd revision published by BRE. The new advice on Site Layout for Daylight andRead the full article…

Building to Net Zero: costing carbon in construction is a report set out by the Environmental Audit Committee. Today we’re looking back on the report and unpicking what it all means. Back in May, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) published their ‘Building to net zero: costing carbon in construction‘ report, which explores the role ofRead 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…

Confused about Approved Document O and overheating? We’ve got you covered. Read Buildpass’ latest blog for our overheating Q & A. First mentioned in December 2021, the new Part O building regulation deals with overheating in domestic dwellings and residential like properties such as care homes and student accommodation. Guidance on this new building regulationRead the full article…

The government proposed street vote is part of a new plan from the government whereby  neighbours could be given a vote on whether planning permission is granted for developments on their street. Neighbourhoods across the UK are going to be given the right to allow building developments on their street if they comply with certainRead the full article…

Looking to hire an energy consultant? You’d best make sure it’s an excellent one. Read on for our lowdown on what makes a good energy consultant. If you are looking to make your home more energy efficient or looking to reduce your energy bills, you could benefit from a good energy consultant. Energy consultants areRead the full article…

Confused by PAS 2035 and how it impacts your 2030:2019 certification? Read our blog for the full lowdown. Did you know, homes in the UK are among the least environmentally friendly in Europe? A lot of this comes down to the age of our buildings; most were built pre 90s when energy efficiency had noRead the full article…

Building Performance Evaluation is a means of using different monitoring techniques to evaluate a building’s performance. Read our blog to find out more.Read the full article…

So we now know what greenwashing is and how it can affect businesses; but how does it differ for the construction industry? Construction greenwashing involves overpromising or misleading with information that your products/services have beneficial green effects. Read 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…

There’s many organisations across the globe making waves in sustainable construction, becoming inspiration for us all and it’s super exciting to see how the world is going to change and create magnificent environmentally responsible construction.
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Low carbon retrofitting is a new scheme within the UK that focuses on improving the energy efficiency of older homes, helping them to become net zero and reach their full energy efficiency potential.Read 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…

Retrofitting is rising in popularity within the construction industry due to its positive effects on the environment and on occupants. In this blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about building retrofits. Retrofitting is huge within the construction industry, especially as developers look to become more eco-friendly. Retrofitting buildings helps to createRead 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…