Regulation 25A

Regulation 25A requires developers to assess the technical, environmental, and economic feasibility of incorporating high-efficiency alternative energy systems into new buildings. This legislation, part of the Building Regulations, means you must submit a formal report before construction demonstrating that renewable and low-carbon energy options have been properly considered. UK Building Compliance produces Regulation 25A reports from just £125, ensuring your project meets this important compliance requirement.

What Is Regulation 25A?

Regulation 25A is a requirement within the Building Regulations that obliges developers to assess the practicality of incorporating high-efficiency alternative energy systems into new buildings. The regulation recognises that as technology improves, there is increasingly less justification for constructing properties with unnecessarily large carbon footprints.

Under Regulation 25A, developers must produce a formal report analysing the technical, environmental, and economic impact of using specific sustainable technologies in their project. The report must consider the feasibility of installing cogeneration (combined heat and power), district heating or cooling networks, heat pumps, and decentralised energy supply systems based on renewable energy sources.

The regulation came into effect on 9th July 2013 and applies to all building work submitted to planning authorities after that date. It is important to note that there is no obligation to actually install these systems — only to demonstrate that they have been properly considered. If your building meets the Target Emission Rate (TER) through other means, you can demonstrate compliance without installing alternative energy systems.

Why Do You Need a Regulation 25A Report?

A Regulation 25A report is a legal requirement for new building projects. Once the report is complete, you must submit a notice to the Building Control Body (BCB) confirming that the feasibility analysis has been carried out thoroughly and carefully. Failure to produce this report can result in building control refusing to process your application.

The purpose of the regulation is to ensure that developers actively consider sustainable energy options rather than defaulting to conventional systems without exploring alternatives. Even where the conclusion is that alternative systems are not feasible for a particular project, the analysis must be documented and submitted.

Commissioning your Regulation 25A report early in the design process — ideally alongside your SAP calculations or SBEM calculations — ensures that any viable sustainable technologies can be incorporated into the design from the outset, rather than being retrofitted at greater expense.

Our Regulation 25A Report Process

UK Building Compliance produces comprehensive Regulation 25A reports that satisfy building control requirements efficiently and cost-effectively.

1. Project review — We review your building design, location, and construction specification to understand the context for the feasibility analysis.
2. Technology assessment — We assess the feasibility of each required technology: combined heat and power, district heating/cooling, heat pumps, and renewable energy systems. Each option is evaluated for technical suitability, environmental benefit, and economic viability.
3. Cost-benefit analysis — We analyse whether each technology can be incorporated cost-effectively into your project, considering capital costs, ongoing maintenance, and projected energy savings.
4. Report production — We produce a comprehensive Regulation 25A report documenting the feasibility analysis, conclusions, and recommendations, suitable for submission to your Building Control Body.
5. BCB notification — We guide you through the process of submitting the required notice to building control, confirming that the report has been completed.

What's Included

• Comprehensive Regulation 25A feasibility analysis
• Assessment of combined heat and power (CHP) suitability
• District heating and cooling network feasibility review
• Heat pump suitability assessment
• Renewable energy systems evaluation
• Technical, environmental, and economic analysis for each technology
• Formal report for Building Control Body submission
• Guidance on BCB notification requirements
• Coordination with SAP calculations and energy statements
• Guide pricing from £125

Who Needs a Regulation 25A Report?

• New-build residential developments — All new dwellings submitted to planning after July 2013 require a Regulation 25A feasibility report.
• New commercial buildings — Non-domestic new builds are also subject to the Regulation 25A requirement.
• Large-scale developments — Larger schemes are more likely to find certain technologies (such as district heating or CHP) economically viable, making the analysis particularly relevant.
• Developments in areas with district heating — Projects near existing or planned district heating networks should give particular consideration to connection opportunities.

Developers, housebuilders, architects, and planning consultants all need to ensure Regulation 25A compliance as part of their building regulations submissions.

Why Choose UK Building Compliance?

UK Building Compliance has been producing Regulation 25A reports for developers and housebuilders across the United Kingdom for many years. Our team combines deep knowledge of the Building Regulations with practical understanding of renewable and low-carbon technologies, ensuring your report is thorough, accurate, and accepted by building control.

We offer Regulation 25A reports as a standalone service or as part of a comprehensive compliance package including SAP calculations, SBEM calculations, energy statements, air tightness testing, and EPC production. Combining services with a single provider ensures consistency and saves time.

Based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, we provide nationwide coverage with competitive pricing from just £125. Call us on 01455 242297 for a free quote.