The Green Building Press provides some disturbing news about the average efficiency of new homes in England.
Energy efficiency of new homes goes down not up
The average energy efficiency of new homes in England has dropped from last year, official figures reveal. Figures released by the Communities and Local Government department on Friday indicate the average energy efficiency Standard Assessment Procedure rating for new homes – as required by the building regulations – for England was 79.5 the second quarter of this year.
The average SAP rating for new homes in England was therefore down 0.6 points from 80.1 points in the same quarter in 2012.
In Wales however, energy efficiency of new homes went up by 1.1 points, up to 80.8.
The figures also indicated that the majority of the certificates issued since April 2007 at design stage and at post construction stage were three star ratings.
The figures were 75 per cent and 81 per cent respectively.
Most of the certificates issued up to June his year were for social homes. 24% of homes with post construction certificates and 37% of those with design stage certificates were built for the private sector. 76% of homes with post construction certificates and 63% of those with design stage certificates have been built for the public sector.
To achieve a rating, homes are assessed on nine different categories including energy, water, waste and health and well-being. A number of points must be achieved in each, and the more points, the higher the rating.
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 
The reason for this reduction in standards is simple. There are few if any checks made to ensure that completed homes comply with the minimum standards. Last year the UK government set out detailed plans on how this worrying trend might be reversed in England.
But following pressure from the degulatory zealots, who believe that it must be up to prospective house buyers to check for themselves whether any energy saving measures have been installed, attempts to improve compliance with the law has been abandoned . Sheer madness.
For more information, you should go to the following UK government link – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-for-sustainable-homes-and-energy-performance-of-buildings-data-june-2013