top of page
The HEM-line blog
The Home Energy Model (HEM) is a new way of forecasting the energy performance of residential buildings in the United Kingdom. In the coming years, HEM will replace the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for generating Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and checking compliance with Part L / Section 6 of Building Regulations.
HEM is currently in development. When it is approved for use, this blog will include tutorials and advice for how to use the new calculation tool.
While we're waiting, you can browse through this archive of my LinkedIn articles, covering changes to Building Regulations, Energy Performance Certification, national planning policy, and everything in between.
Search
Mandatory EV chargers in Wales
EV chargers will soon be mandatory on new building projects across Wales.
The Welsh Government consulted on this a while ago, following in the footsteps of the UK Government’s Approved Document Part S which launched in 2021.
Details of the Welsh Part S can be found here… they haven’t announced a launch date yet.
Jon Ponting
Aug 161 min read
Scotland Section 6 and PassivHaus consultation
The Scottish Government has published new proposals for changing Section 6 of the Technical Handbooks to create a ‘Scottish equivalent to the PassivHaus standard’.
A public consultation on these changes is open until 16th October 2026.
Jon Ponting
Aug 23 min read
London Plan 2028 - Consultation
The London Plan, which sets strict planning requirements for building projects across the Capital, is having its five-yearly makeover.
The consultation is open until October 15th 2026, with adoption expected in early 2028.
Jon Ponting
Jul 262 min read
OFGEM take on Heat Networks
As the use of Heat Networks increase in UK cities, stories about unhappy residents have also increased.
Common complaints are being locked into paying excessive charges for heating and maintenance, and unreliable heating systems that homeowners can't change.
Jon Ponting
Mar 22 min read
Changes at the Building Safety Regulator
Big changes are coming for the Building Safety Regulator that could shake things up for all corners of the construction industry, with a renewed focus on regulation, accreditation and responsibility.
Jon Ponting
Feb 132 min read
Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance
The Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance is essentially an illustrated version of the new, draft NPPF with clear examples of what the Government defines as a 'well-designed place'… essential knowledge for architects who want to stay on the right side of planning officers.
Jon Ponting
Feb 112 min read
Scotland plans to add PassivHaus to Building Regs
The Scottish Government has outlined plans to update Technical Handbook Section 6 to scrap SAP and further tighten fabric performance standards. They're calling it a 'PassivHaus equivalent standard'.
Specific details and timeframes will be confirmed later this year, with the final ‘Go Live’ date already confirmed as 31st March 2028.
Jon Ponting
Jan 122 min read
Statutory Consultee Shake-Up Proposals
England's planning laws currently include 10 Statutory Consultees. Depending on what you're proposing to build, and where you're proposing to build it, these bodies have a legal obligation to review your proposals and comment on them.
Jon Ponting
Dec 1, 20251 min read
Is 2026 the new 'Autumn 2025'?
The Government's standard response about the release of the Future Homes Standard has changed recently from 'Autumn 2025' to 'in the coming months'.
Jon Ponting
Nov 13, 20251 min read
Changes to Part G water efficiency targets are on the way
DEFRA has published a consultation into changing water efficiency targets in Approved Document Part G in England.
There's also a Call For Evidence discussing further changes in the near future. The consultation is open until December 16th 2025.
Jon Ponting
Sep 28, 20252 min read
Wales consults to change SAP, photo evidence and overheating regs
The Welsh Government has released a consultation looking to change Approved Documents Part L, Part O and Part F, following in the footsteps of the Future Homes Standard policy in England.
You've got until 17th November 2025 to respond.
Jon Ponting
Aug 24, 20252 min read
The debate of hydrogen viability rumbles on
Two new consultations into the future use of hydrogen have been published. One considers how we could build new infrastructure to specifically provide hydrogen energy to large industrial hubs. The second revisits old ground, and considers how we pump blend hydrogen into our existing mains gas supply.
Jon Ponting
Jul 27, 20251 min read
Proposal for new look EPCs in Scotland
This consultation gives details for what the new EPC metrics may prioritise when assessors switch to the Home Energy Model. Fabric performance is likely to become the primary metric. It's highly possible that the whole of the UK will adopt a similar strategy in the coming years.
Jon Ponting
Jul 13, 20252 min read
Another Day, Another Planning Reform Release
The UK Government is considering streamlining the planning process for small developments to speed up the process for one-off projects. Current requirements like biodiversity, Section 106 and Build Out Transparency would be removed from small sites.
Jon Ponting
Jun 15, 20252 min read
Speeding Up Build Out consultation
This proposed change to national planning policy would include a requirement for sites of 50+ dwellings to submit a build schedule as part of the planning application, and for developers to inform the council if timeframes are slipping.
Jon Ponting
Jun 8, 20252 min read
Have Your Say on The London Plan 2026
The London Plan is being updated next year. In our world, this will likely mean stricter targets on embodied lifecycle and net zero targets, but will the Future Homes Standard influence the final text?
Jon Ponting
May 25, 20252 min read
Solar canopies.. coming to a supermarket near you!
Car parks across England may need to have solar panel canopies installed under new proposals to increase renewable power generation.
Jon Ponting
May 18, 20252 min read
EPC Reform - Consultation closed
A summary of what is proposed in the UK Government's EPC Reform consultation.
Jon Ponting
Mar 3, 20254 min read
bottom of page