Design and refurbishment policy

Having strong policies on design and refurbishment of buildings will help encourage utility-conscious design, preventing your new buildings, alterations and extensions from presenting you with high running costs in future. Don't expect architects and engineers to volunteer the necessary features, especially as the design has to be considered in total.

Express your requirements as firm numerical limits wherever you can (so many kWh per annum per square metre, for example) and let the designers figure out how to achieve what you dictate. This approach means you will also be able to measure the end result for compliance.

Elements of the utility management process
Top-level objectives

A future opportunity for high-efficiency motors?

Cavity wall insulation

Flat-roof insulation