Key Indicators & Decisions (KI&Ds) – United Kingdom – Northern Ireland – 2020

01.01

Definition of public buildings (according to article 9 b)

Not available

01.02

Definition of public buildings used by the public (according to article 13)

Display Energy Certificates (based on measured energy consumption) are issued and displayed in buildings >250 m² that are occupied by a public authority and frequently visited by the public.

Energy Performance Certificates (based on predicted energy consumption) are displayed in commercial premises >500 m² that are frequently visited by the public, and where an EPC has previously been issued.

01.03

Number of residential buildings

798,971 homes in Northern Ireland (December 2019)*

(*) Northern Ireland Housing Statistics 2018-19, Published 3 December 2019, Department for Communities

https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/system/files/publications/communities/ni-housing-stats-18-19-full-copy.PDF

01.04

Number of non-residential buildings

74,030 in Northern Ireland*

(*) Non-domestic Valuation List Summary 2020-2021, June 2020, Northern Ireland Government.

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/summary-valuation-lists

01.05

If possible, share of public buildings included in the number given in 01.04

Not available

01.06

If possible, share of commercial buildings included in the number given in 01.04

Not available

01.07

Number of buildings constructed per year (estimate)

Domestic: see 01.08

Non-domestic: not identified

01.08

If possible, share of residential buildings constructed per year (estimate, included in the number given in 01.07)

New build domestic completions (Northern Ireland)*:

2016-17: 6,461

2017-18: 7,096

2018-19: 7,809

(*) Northern Ireland Housing Statistics 2018-19 (Section 1): Table 1.7. Building control new dwelling completions by development type 2010-20191, December 2019, Department for Communities

https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-housing-statistics-2018-19

01.09

If possible, share of non-residential buildings constructed per year (estimate, included in the number given in 01.07)

Not identified

01.10

Useful floor area of buildings constructed per year in million square meters (estimate)

(*) Department of Finance, 2020. This data has not been published previously.

02.01

Are building codes set as overall value, primary energy, environment (CO₂), reference building or other

Reference building approach

02.02

Requirements for energy performance of residential buildings in current building code

Technical Booklets F1 and F2 support the implementation of the Building Regulations Part F. The booklets set five criteria for new domestic units and non-domestic buildings:

1. Ensure the calculated Building CO₂ Emission Rate does not exceed the Target Emission Rate.
2. Meet minimum acceptable standards, including minimum fabric, air permeability, and building services efficiencies standards.
3. Limit the effects of summer solar gains. This references industry best practice e.g. CIBSE TM37 “Design for improved solar shading control”.
4. Ensure the building performance is consistent with design calculations. Focus on air permeability, commissioning of services and thermal bridges.
5. Provide instructions for energy efficient building operation and maintenance.

Domestic buildings:

Technical Booklet F1, Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings, Department of Finance and Personnel, October 2012. Available at:

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dfp/Technical-booklet-F1-Conservation%20of%20fuel%20and%20power%20in%20dwellings-October-2012.pdf

02.03

Requirements for energy performance of non-residential commercial buildings in current building code

Ditto 02.02

Non-domestic buildings:

Technical Booklet F2, Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings, Department of Finance and Personnel, October 2012. Available at:

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dfp/Technical-booklet-F2-Conservation-of-fuel-and-power-in-buildings-other-than-dwellings-October-2012.pdf

02.04

Requirements for energy performance of non-residential public buildings in current building code

Ditto 02.02.

02.05

Is the performance level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for new buildings defined in national legislation?

Building Regulation 43B* states: ‘Where a building is erected, it must be a nearly zero energy building’.

The performance level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for new buildings is not defined within national legislation. However, SR. 44 (2014) defines NZEB as “a building that has a very high energy performance, as determined in accordance with the National calculation Methodology, where the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby”

The approved methodology does not set a performance level for NZEB.

An information note^ has been provided for new buildings occupied and owned by public authorities, outlining that they are required to be nearly zero energy buildings from 1 January 2019.

(*) Statutory Rules No. 44: The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2014. Available at:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2014/44/pdfs/nisr_20140044_en.pdf

(^) Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) Requirements for New Public Buildings, Department of Finance. October 2019. Available at: 

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dfp/NEARLY%20ZERO-ENERGY%20BUILDINGS%20%28NZEB%29%20REQUIREMENTS%20FOR%20NEW%20PUBLIC%20BUILDINGS.pdf

02.06

Nearly zero energy (NZEB) level for residential buildings (level for building code)

Ditto 02.05.

It should be noted that the information note outlined in 02.05 only applies to new buildings occupied and owned by public authorities.

02.07

Year / date for nearly zero energy (NZEB) as level for residential buildings (as indicated in 02.04)

For all new buildings (excluding new buildings occupied by public authorities), the coming-into-force date for Regulation 43B is 31 December 2020.

Statutory Rules No. 44: The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2014. Available at:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2014/44/pdfs/nisr_20140044_en.pdf

02.08

Nearly zero energy (NZEB) level for all non-residential buildings (level for building code)

For new buildings occupied by public authorities the coming-into-force date for Regulation 43B is 1 January 2019.

For other new buildings, see 02.07.

Statutory Rules No. 44: The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2014. Available at:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2014/44/pdfs/nisr_20140044_en.pdf

02.09

Year / date for nearly zero energy (NZEB) as level for non-residential buildings (as indicated in 02.06)

See above in 02.08.

02.10

Are nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB) defined using a carbon or environment indicator?

Carbon based.

02.11

Is renewable energy a part of the overall or an additional requirement?

Part of the overall requirement.

Statutory Rules No. 44: The Building (Amendment) Regulations 2014. Available at:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2014/44/pdfs/nisr_20140044_en.pdf

02.12

If renewable energy is an additional requirement to NZEB, please indicate level

N/A

02.13

Specific comfort criteria for new buildings, provide specific parameters for instance for airtightness, minimum ventilation rates

See 02.02

03.01

Is the level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing buildings set in national legislation?

No

03.02

Is the level of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing buildings similar to the level for new buildings?

Not defined

03.03

Definition of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing residential buildings (if different from new buildings)

Not defined

03.04

Definition of nearly zero energy (NZEB) for existing non-residential buildings (if different from new buildings)

Not defined

03.05

Overall minimum requirements in case of major-renovation

Building Regulations are supported by Technical Booklets*, which set out an elemental approach for existing buildings, and by “Domestic and Non‐domestic Building Services Compliance Guides”^ which include minimum energy efficiency standards for new and replacement of existing building systems.

Under certain circumstances additional energy efficiency measures (named “consequential improvements”) must be undertaken.

Domestic buildings:

(*) Technical Booklet F1, Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings, Department of Finance and Personnel, October 2012. Available at:

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dfp/Technical-booklet-F1-Conservation%20of%20fuel%20and%20power%20in%20dwellings-October-2012.pdf

(^) Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide, 2018. Available at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697525/DBSCG_secure.pdf

Non-domestic buildings:

(*) Technical Booklet F2, Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings, Department of Finance and Personnel, October 2012. Available at:

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dfp/Technical-booklet-F2-Conservation-of-fuel-and-power-in-buildings-other-than-dwellings-October-2012.pdf

(^) Non-domestic Building Services Compliance Guide, 2018. Available at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/453973/non_domestic_building_services_compliance_guide.pdf

03.06

Minimum requirements for individual building parts in case of renovation

Ditto 03.05

03.07

National targets for renovation in connection to Long Term Renovation Strategy (number or percentage of buildings)

Refer to the England report for details.

03.08

National targets for renovation in connection to Long Term Renovation Strategy (expected reductions and relevant years)

Refer to the England report for details.

04.01

Number of energy performance certificates per year (for instance average or values for of 3-5 years)

Northern Ireland*

Domestic EPCs (annual average 2009 – 2019): 43,894

Non-domestic EPCs & DECs (annual average 2009 – 2019): 3,556

(*) 2008 excluded as not a full year

Please note that this data has not previously been published.

04.02

Number of EPCs since start of scheme

Northern Ireland*

Domestic EPCs (total to December 2019): 488,887

Non-domestic EPCs & DECs (total to December 2019): 38,856

(*) Department of Finance, 2017.

Please note that this data has not previously been published.

04.03

Number of EPCs for different building types

Not available

04.04

Number of assessors

Northern Ireland*: 390 assessors with a registered address in Northern Ireland.

Note 39,964** assessors are registered in England & Wales and are accredited to operate in Northern Ireland.

(*) Department of Finance, 2020

(**) Department for Communities & Local Government, 2019

Please note that this data has not previously been published.

04.05

Basic education requirements for assessors

Refer to the England report for details.

04.06

Additional training demands for assessors

Refer to the England report for details.

04.07

Quality assurance system

Refer to the England report for details.

04.08

National database for EPCs

Yes

Domestic Energy Performance Certificate Register https://www.epbniregister.com/

Non-Domestic Energy Performance Register https://www.epbniregisternd.com/

04.09

Link to national information on EPCs / Database

Domestic Energy Performance Certificate Register https://www.epbniregister.com/

Non-Domestic Energy Performance Register https://www.epbniregisternd.com/

05.01

Is there a national definition of smart buildings?

Not defined

05.02

Are there current support systems for smart buildings?

Not defined

05.03

Are there currently specific requirements for technical building systems (for instance in building codes)?

Yes

Building Regulations require i) installation of suitable controls to ensure conservation of fuel and power and ii) commissioning of fixed technical building systems to ensure the actual building performance is as consistent as possible with design intentions. Guidance, providing the normal datum of performance for common building situations, is provided in the relevant Technical Booklets* and Building Services Compliance Guides^.

(*) Domestic Buildings:

Technical Booklet F1, Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings, Department of Finance and Personnel, October 2012.

Available at: https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dfp/Technical-booklet-F1-Conservation%20of%20fuel%20and%20power%20in%20dwellings-October-2012.pdf

Non-domestic Buildings:

Technical Booklet F2, Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings, Department of Finance and Personnel, October 2012.

Available at: https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dfp/Technical-booklet-F2-Conservation-of-fuel-and-power-in-buildings-other-than-dwellings-October-2012.pdf

(^) Domestic Buildings:

Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide, 2018.

Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697525/DBSCG_secure.pdf

Non-domestic Buildings:

Non-domestic Building Services Compliance Guide, 2018.

Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/453973/non_domestic_building_services_compliance_guide.pdf

05.04

Are there current requirements for automatics (for instance in building codes)?

Yes

Guidance on normal standards for zone control and energy sub-metering etc. is provided in Section 3 of Technical Booklets F1* and F2^. Provisions are similar to those of England.

(*) Technical Booklet F1, Conservation of fuel and power in dwellings, Department of Finance and Personnel, October 2012. Available at: https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dfp/Technical-booklet-F1-Conservation%20of%20fuel%20and%20power%20in%20dwellings-October-2012.pdf

(^)Technical Booklet F2, Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings, Department of Finance and Personnel, October 2012. Available at: https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/dfp/Technical-booklet-F2-Conservation-of-fuel-and-power-in-buildings-other-than-dwellings-October-2012.pdf

05.05

Chosen option A or B for heating systems (inspection or other measures)

Option B

05.06

Number of heating inspections; reports per year (if option A)

N/A

05.07

Chosen option A or B for cooling systems (inspection or other measures)

Option A

05.08

Number of air-conditioning / cooling system inspections; reports per year (if option A)

Total AC inspection reports (Northern Ireland): >2,700*

(*) Northern Ireland Non-Domestic Energy Performance Register.

https://www.epbniregister.com/lodgementStats.html

05.09

Is there a national database for heating inspections?

Refer to the England report for details.

The UK decided to provide advice on boilers/ heating systems, rather than implement an inspection regime.

05.10

Is there a national database for cooling / air-conditioning inspections?

Yes

The regulatory requirement for air conditioning inspection reports to be lodged on the central Register came into force 18^th February 2013.

https://www.epbniregisternd.com/lodgementStats.html

05.11

Are inspection databases combined with EPC databases for registration of EPCs and inspection reports?

Yes

See 05.10

05.12

Link to national information on Inspection / Database

Yes

Northern Ireland Non-Domestic Energy Performance Register.

https://www.epbniregister.com/lodgementStats.html