The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023 (New Build Heat Standard)
On April 1st 2024, The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023 (New Build Heat Standard) will prohibit the installation of direct emissions heating systems, such as gas and oil boilers, in newly constructed residential and commercial buildings that require a building permit.
Instead, new buildings that require a heating system will need a zero direct emissions heating system (ZDEH) installed, such as a heat pump. This is huge news for the industry and is only 6 months away from becoming reality.
What is the purpose of the New Build Heat Standard?
The purpose of the New Build Heat Standard is to promote the uptake of eco-friendly heating systems that produce negligible direct greenhouse gas emissions at point of use.
The new regulation is expected to deliver the following changes:
Heating new buildings will no longer directly contribute to climate change
The alternative heating systems in new buildings will provide a reliable supply of heat
Indoor and outdoor spaces will have cleaner air
Opportunities for retraining and upskilling of workforce across Scotland
What does this mean for developers and heating installers?
This transformational change will affect developers, manufacturers, heating installers and the wider supply chain. In some instances, this may also impact people undertaking conversions of existing buildings.
With less than 6 months to go before the changes go live, we believe it is crucial that developers and heating installers prepare for the change to mitigate potential project delays.
How can developers prepare for the changes?
We expect demand for air source and ground source heat pumps to increase as developers and heating installers pivot to different types of heating systems.
To mitigate uncertainty and potential project delays, we advise developers to contact us as soon as possible to discuss your projects heating needs. As a heat pump supplier, offering full design, tech support and MCS certification, we can provide easy access to heat pumps and a network of experienced heat pump installers.
To find out more, please contact us.
How can heating installers prepare for the transition?
One major concern for the industry is the lack of installers who are trained to install heat pumps. According to the Heat Pump Association (HPA), only 18% of heating engineers have the necessary skills and knowledge to install heat pumps.
If you’re a heating installer who would like to learn how to install heat pumps, our free Introduction To Installing Heat Pumps training course will teach you everything you need to know. Once you have completed the course, you will have access to our MCS umbrella scheme, which enables you to provide your customers with a fully MCS accredited installation.
Additionally, you will be able to take advantage of the following benefits:
We take care of all the design work and handle the MCS accreditation paperwork on your behalf.
We provide you with complete schematics and offer unlimited telephone support to assist you throughout the installation process.
We offer a fixed, all-inclusive price for the design, supply, and commissioning of the heat pump system.
Upon completion, we provide a handover pack containing the essential certificates that your customers can use to claim for Government grants.
For more information about our MCS umbrella scheme, please contact us.
What changes can we expect from England and Wales?
By 2025, England and Wales are due to introduce the Future Homes Standard (FHS), mandating new homes emit 75-80% less carbon compared to current Building Regulations. This requires substituting outdated technologies with eco-friendly alternatives like advanced building materials (e.g. insulation), triple glazing, and highly efficient heat pumps. For developers and heating installers, this marks a significant transformation and is a clear signal that substantial changes are imminent.
This should serve as a wake-up call for those who may have doubted the impending shifts in the industry.
Want To Start Installing Heat Pumps Today?
If you’re a developer or heating installer looking to get started with heat pumps installations, there is no quicker or more straightforward way than getting in touch with Alto Energy.