LABC and Good Homes Alliance launch performance gap training

LABC (Local Authority Building Control) and the Good Homes Alliance have produced a series of free nationwide training events hosted by Jewsons at their facilities to address the performance gap between design and build. The training is funded by Construction Skills and aimed at site managers, sub-contractors, supervisors, construction managers and directors. It will explain the causes of, and solutions to, the performance gap with the purpose being to stop things going wrong on site.  There is a huge gap between the designed energy performance of buildings and the energy performance actually achieved when built.

It is common for underperformance to be around 30% – 40%, which is a large discrepancy. Research has identified lots of issues that arise with design, product specification, and construction. Most are relatively simple to resolve, but need awareness, thought, and careful working.  By creating training to address the issue it will enable those building new homes to construct buildings that deliver the energy performance the designer promised.

Speaking at the launch, LABC Chief Executive Paul Everall said: "Currently, this is one of the most important matters affecting the construction industry and LABC are pleased to be involved with initiatives that investigate and solve the issue of the performance gap in the building industry to ensure better compliance with energy standards."

Peter Halsall, Good Homes Alliance Executive Chair, added: "We are delighted to have received funding from Construction Skills for this project and are looking forward to making our learning and expertise on the performance gap available to the wider industry. We consider that this course will be an essential first step in helping constructors to upskill in readiness for ever more demanding sustainability and energy performance requirements."

Further information

For homeowners – read about how to make your home energy efficient and save money in the long run.