Written question asked by Roger Williams (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 27 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 29 June 2007. It was answered by Phil Woolas (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 July 2007 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Housing: Environment Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the average (a) energy efficiency, (b) water efficiency and (c) carbon dioxide emissions of homes constructed to operate unconnected to mains electricity, gas and water supply.

Answer: The Government have made no estimate of the average energy efficiency or carbon dioxide emissions from homes unconnected to mains electricity and gas supply. The requirements of part L of the Building Regulations, which sets requirements for energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions, apply to all homes regardless of whether or not they are connected to mains energy supplies. Nevertheless, developers are reasonably free to determine how to meet the requirements of part L.The Code for Sustainable Homes and the draft Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change are designed to cut carbon emissions from new homes and promote low and zero carbon homes in the period up until 2016, when the Government have proposed that all new homes will be zero carbon.It is estimated that there are around 50,000 private water supplies serving about 0.6 per cent. of the population in England and Wales. No estimate has been made about the water efficiency of these dwellings, and they are not subject to the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.DEFRA and the Department for Communities and Local Government have jointly consulted on options for regulating for minimum standards of water efficiency in new homes and commercial buildings. If requirements were to be introduced through building regulations they would apply to all new houses irrespective of the type of water supply. The consultation closed on 9 March 2007, we will publish responses in due course.

Secondary information