Since the 2001 Building Regulations, it has been a legal requirement that Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) energy rating certificates should be displayed on all new dwellings. 

This provides potential buyers with a way of assessing the energy efficiency of their new homes and is part of of the Government's strategy to improve energy efficiency across all domestic housing stock.

During 2002, the NHER and De Montfort University undertook research to see to what extent the regulations were being followed. In January 2003, the results were published. Selling the SAP has helped all of these groups to better understand their obligations in this field, and is another example of the NHER's role as a support service for the home energy rating industry.

In March 2005 the NHER’s research, sponsored by The Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust, showed that the draft proposed changes to the building regulations for dwellings may only realise savings of around 10% in carbon emissions compared to current practice.

In their consultation document issued in July 2004, ODPM (now DCLG) anticipated that the overall impact of the revisions would be a saving of 25% in carbon emissions from new dwellings.

The NHER called on ODPM to strengthen the proposed amendments to the Building Regulations in order to improve carbon savings and reduce fuel bills.

The energy efficiency of appliances and lighting fitted by developers into new homes has not matched the progress made in reducing energy loss through roofs, walls and floors.

There are currently no minimum standards for appliances within Part L1 of the Building Regulations. In 2003, the NHER undertook research funded by the Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust to explore these issues and published its findings in June 2004 as The Appliance of Science.

This survey of 48 new developments across the UK investigated the extent to which housebuilders installed the most energy efficient appliances: 'cold' (fridges and freezers); 'wet' (washing machines, dishwashers); as well as cookers and central heating boilers. Apart from the environmental and energy-saving costs to consumers, the research looked at the commercial benefits if builders and developers installed the most energy efficient appliances as the norm.