CIBSE Guide F - Energy Efficiency in Buildings (3rd Edition)

Since the last edition of CIBSE Guide F, published in 2004, the UK Government has set a legally binding target to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. The Governments latest Carbon Plan sets out specific targets for improving the energy efficiency in new and existing buildings. There have also been significant regulatory changes over the last eight years, including two revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations and the transposition of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive into UK legislation. The next two revisions of Part L will push for further improvements in energy efficiency to progress towards the Government’s aspiration for all new buildings to be zero carbon by 2019.

This 2012 edition of CIBSE Guide F includes a new section on ‘developing an energy strategy’. This reflects the changes to planning policy, which now include targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from new developments and the need to submit a detailed energy strategy report as part of the planning application.

Energy management has moved up the corporate agenda, aided by the work of the Carbon Trust and the implementation of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. Part B of this Guide (covering the operation of the building) has been updated to include more information about carbon management, and the need for improved metering and monitoring.

In addition, the section on energy efficient refurbishment has been expanded in recognition of the pressing need to upgrade the existing building stock and the opportunities to improve performance.

This edition incorporates the new and revised guidance that has been published since 2004. This includes key CIBSE documents and publications by the Carbon Trust and BSRIA. These key references have informed many of the updates and are referenced throughout the Guide.