Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard FEES

The Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES) was first introduced as part of the 2016 strategy for zero carbon homes. It was developed by a Task Group set up in 2009 with the Zero Carbon Hub as one of its primary participants. Its initial methodology (referred to as Fabric Energy Efficiency or FEE) was incorporated as part of the November 2010 Code for Sustainable Homes.

This standard has been proposed as the top level of energy demand for space heating and cooling into the fabric of all new dwellings. Several factors can have an impact on this amount, including:

• Air permeability.
• Building fabric U-values.
• Thermal bridging and mass.
• External solar heat gain.
• Internal heat gains (including metabolic activity or other sources generated as a result of services in the dwelling.

Under FEES, dwellings include apartment blocks, mid-terrace, end terrace, semi-detached and detached homes. Minimum FEES for dwellings are:

• 39 kWh/m2/year for apartments and mid-terraced houses.
• 46 kWh/m2/year for end terrace, semi-detached and detached houses.

Under the current Part L 2013, the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES) metric sets the benchmark for a building through its ‘notional building’ and minimum u-values for fabric standards.

The proposed Part L 2020 sets out new and improved minimum fabric standards, but the use of the FEES target has been removed.

For more information see: Home design prospects under the Future Homes Standard.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Code for Sustainable Homes
• Home design prospects under the Future Homes Standard.
• Target emission rate TER
• Target fabric energy efficiency rate
• Zero carbon homes.