UK's new homes face major heating system changes - what you need to know
Government pushes forward with new-builds heating regulations that will affect thousands of future homeowners. The changes aim to cut carbon emissions by switching from gas to electric heating systems
UK housing sector faces big-time changes as government moves ahead with its eco-friendly plans. The new rules (which should come out around spring next year) will stop builders from putting gas boilers in most new-builds
Under the new plan builders must switch to heat-pumps or other non-gas options: this is part of the Future Homes Standard thats trying to lower carbon emissions by 80%. The rules will kick-in sometime in 2026 with a one-year grace period for builders to get ready
Steve Turner from the Home Builders Federation points out some real issues: “We need to make sure the heat pump supply chain will be in place.“ Right now the UK only puts in about 35k heat-pumps yearly but needs to handle way more (up to 300k) for new-builds plus extra ones for older homes
The switch brings up two main worries:
- Heat-pump production needs to grow super-fast
- Electric grid must get stronger to handle more power use
The Housing Department wants all fresh builds boiler-free by 2030s start. While theyʼre pushing for green power stuff like solar panels - they wont force people to put them up. A department rep says: “We remain committed to delivering highly efficient new homes that will become net zero as the grid decarbonises“
