Part O of the Building Regulations requires every new home in England to demonstrate it will not overheat. Air conditioning is the most straightforward way to satisfy this requirement — and when installed at first fix in a new build, it costs less and looks better than any retrofit solution. We help developers and self-builders achieve Part O compliance across Leicester.
Developers and builders across Leicester use Elite Cooling & Heating for Part O compliant air conditioning.
Part O of the Building Regulations came into force in June 2022 and applies to all new dwellings in England. It requires developers to demonstrate through calculation that the home will not overheat, using either the simplified method or a dynamic thermal modelling approach. Overheating is assessed against criteria for the number of hours above 26°C in living areas and bedrooms — thresholds that many properties fail to meet with passive measures alone.
The properties most likely to fail Part O are those with large areas of south or west-facing glazing, top-floor or upper-floor rooms, open-plan layouts that retain heat, and limited opportunities for external shading — precisely the kind of modern, glazed properties that developers in Leicester and across the Midlands are building in the highest numbers. When the passive measures fail to pass — and increasingly they do — the recognised compliant mitigation approach is active cooling. Air conditioning installed at first fix is by far the most cost-effective and practical way to meet this requirement.
We coordinate directly with your SAP or energy assessor to provide the cooling system specification they need for their Part O calculations. We can advise early in the design process on the cooling capacity required to satisfy overheating criteria before construction begins.
If your passive measures are not passing the overheating assessment, contact us — we can advise on the right air conditioning specification to resolve it efficiently and economically.
Get in TouchAir conditioning addresses Part O overheating reliably, efficiently and at a cost that makes sense in a new build.
Air conditioning is explicitly recognised in the Part O guidance as an active cooling measure that satisfies the requirements when passive measures are insufficient.
Installed at first fix in a new build, the air conditioning system costs far less than external solar shading or structural changes to the roof or window configuration.
Modern inverter AC systems with A+++ ratings run at a fraction of the cost of older technology — energy use for cooling is low even on the hottest days.
Unlike passive shading, air conditioning also provides heating — delivering year-round comfort and potentially reducing heating bills alongside meeting Part O.
A new build with air conditioning is more attractive to buyers and can command a premium. Part O compliance becomes a selling point rather than just a regulatory hurdle.
When planned in at design stage and installed at first fix, air conditioning adds very little to the overall build programme and cost.
We specify and install air conditioning to satisfy Part O overheating requirements in every room in a new build home.
Part O assessment criteria are most stringent for bedrooms — air conditioning resolves overheating in even top-floor master suites.
Multi-split systems serving every room satisfy Part O across the whole dwelling from a single outdoor unit.
Fully concealed ducted AC is ideal for new builds — invisible in the finished property while providing whole-house cooling.
High-wall split units are the most cost-effective Part O solution for individual rooms — quiet, efficient and quick to install.
View all our new build HVAC services — from first fix through to developer packages.
First fix installation during construction means Part O compliance is built in — not bolted on.
Inverter technology delivers efficient, precise temperature control — keeping rooms below 26°C on the hottest days.
R32 refrigerant systems — lower environmental impact and compliant with F-Gas phase-down requirements.
A clear process from initial assessment through to Building Control sign-off.
We review your drawings, identify rooms at overheating risk and advise on the minimum cooling capacity required to satisfy Part O.
We produce a system specification confirming cooling capacities by room — your SAP assessor can use this for the Part O calculation.
We install at first fix and second fix within your construction programme — systems are commissioned and tested before handover.
We provide installed equipment schedules and commissioning records for Building Control — Part O evidence ready for submission.
We install leading A+++ rated systems from brands trusted in new build specifications.
We support developers and self-builders with Part O compliant air conditioning across the region.
Part O of the Building Regulations applies to all new dwellings in England where planning permission was applied for on or after 15 June 2022. It requires developers to demonstrate through calculation that new homes will not overheat. It applies to houses and flats of all sizes and types.
Yes. Air conditioning is explicitly recognised in the Part O guidance as an active cooling measure that satisfies the overheating requirement when passive measures are insufficient. We can provide a system specification to your SAP assessor that they can incorporate into the calculation.
Bedrooms, particularly on upper floors and in rooms with south or west-facing windows, are most likely to fail Part O criteria. Open-plan living areas with large glazed areas or limited external shading are also at high risk. We assess each room individually and specify the appropriate cooling capacity.
We provide an equipment schedule listing installed units and their cooling capacities, commissioning records confirming the systems are operational, and F-Gas compliance documentation. These can be submitted to Building Control alongside your SAP assessor's Part O calculation.
Contact Elite Cooling & Heating for a free consultation on Part O overheating compliance across Leicester and the surrounding region.
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