A survey has claimed that housebuilders are ignoring the law on energy efficiency. Research by De Montfort University shows that in 98% of cases Standard Assessment Procedure certificates giving new homes marks out of 120 for energy efficiency are not being displayed in the front entrance of homes for sale, as the law demands. Under current building regulations no home should fall below a 60 rating and the average new build should be between 90 and 100. Recent surveys by the Building Research Establishment show that up to 60% of new three bedroom and larger houses are not built to the building regulations specified in architects’ plans. Andrew Warren, chief executive of the Association for the Conservation of Energy, said: “Despite this widespread failure to obey the law by builders there has not been a single prosecution for failure to produce a certificate.” (Guardian)