Evolution new homes Residential

Gas boiler ban for new homes - what does this hateful and how volition it work in existent terms?

Q2 2019

Home Knowledge and Research Gas boiler ban for new homes - what does this mean and how will information technology work in real terms?

With the regime looking to ban gas boilers in new builds from 2025, we await at the alternatives to gas central heating and the challenges and opportunities facing housebuilders.

Gas key heating has long been seen as a cheap, effective solution to heating Britain's homes, but not for much longer. In his Bound Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a new Time to come Homes Standard that will include a gas boiler ban in new build properties from 2025.

Why does the government want to ban gas?

To come across the United kingdom's legally-binding climatic change targets, we demand to eliminate almost all greenhouse gas emissions from UK buildings. Energy use in homes currently accounts for around xiv per cent of total emissions.

A fundamental function of meeting these targets is transitioning the 85 per cent of homes heated by fossil-fuel based natural gas to depression carbon heat sources. As new build properties typically have improve insulation and edifice standards than older homes, they're better suited to eco-friendly heating systems.

Reducing emissions from homes is besides good news for homeowners, as eco-friendly homes cost less to rut in winter and are ofttimes more comfortable than older, draughtier properties.

What are the alternatives to gas boilers?

While gas typically works out cheaper than culling heating systems for the "average" UK house, new build homes are much better insulated than the older backdrop that make upwards most of the housing stock. Even in winter, the demand for heating can be low, making the toll of installing and maintaining a gas heating system comparatively more expensive.

For developers or homeowners looking to the future, here are some alternatives to gas:

ane) Heat pumps

Heat pumps are classed every bit renewable free energy technology. Electricity is needed to power the pump, just they're much more efficient than standard electrical heating. For example, a estrus pump with a Coefficient Performance of three would produce 3 units of oestrus for every 1 unit of measurement of electricity.

Near heat pumps in the UK draw heat from the air or footing. Air source estrus pumps are cheaper for small individual backdrop, whereas ground-source heat pumps may work out more than cost-constructive for large properties, or apartment blocks on a expert-sized plot of land. Both types of heat pump are currently eligible for funding under the authorities'south RHI scheme.

Heat pumps work best in highly insulated properties, which is why they're a good choice for new builds.

2) Electric heating

Electrical heaters have improved considerably from the expensive, unpopular storage heaters of the by. Modern loftier-efficiency electric heaters are piece of cake to install and can be a cheap way of heating pocket-size, well-insulated backdrop.

3) Oestrus networks

District heat networks have been around for decades, but they're less popular in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland than other European countries. Heat networks use a central energy centre to distribute heating via hot water pipes to private properties.

Many new heat networks are fuelled by gas CHP boilers, with a long-term strategy of transitioning to more green fuel sources, such equally energy from waste handling plants. Ane network in Islington, London, fifty-fifty recycles backlog rut from the London Underground system!

Heat networks are most efficient and cost-effective for big developments, apartment blocks and hotels.

four) Biomass, biogas and hydrogen

Biomass boilers (which are eligible for RHI funding) are used as a heat source for a modest number of backdrop. Looking to the future, we may see more innovative systems involving biogas or hydrogen boilers.

The HyDeploy project is already trialling a blend of hydrogen and natural gas which can exist delivered through the existing gas network without customers having to upgrade appliances. Equally well as reducing emissions from existing homes, hydrogen could also be used every bit supplementary heating during periods of extremely cold weather, when air source estrus pumps struggle.

How could the gas boiler ban affect new build blueprint?

New build homes already have to come across certain insulation requirements as part of edifice regulations. If heat pumps begin to replace gas boilers as the heating system of choice for new builds, farther improving these standards past endmost the energy performance gap will become even more important.

As heat pumps work best with depression-temperature heating systems, in that location may also be a transition from radiator-based heating systems to underfloor heating.

Challenges and opportunities facing the industry

If y'all're building a new home today, installing a heat pump or high-efficiency electric heating system may be more than expensive than a basic gas central heating organisation. However, the price of heat pumps and alternative technologies is likely to subtract in the coming years, particularly with policy changes designed to stage out gas boilers.

Perhaps the biggest claiming for developers and landlords volition be consumer awareness. People are naturally resistant to alter, and nosotros've go used to being able to have heating on demand.

Heating systems powered past heat pumps and other depression carbon technologies work in a different manner and trying to operate them as you would a gas heating arrangement tin can lead to frustration and high costs. Educating new homeowners on how their heating organisation should be used will be an important attribute for developers to consider.

Even with these challenges, there are benefits to constructing eco-friendly properties. Building backdrop which exceed current energy standards will help hereafter-proof confronting technological change and make them more bonny to buyers. Energy efficient homes tin can demand a premium as homeowners can expect to pay lower energy bills, and in the rental market, eco-friendly properties tin can often generate higher rents, with lower operating costs and voids.

More details about the Time to come Homes Standard will emerge one time proposals are issued for consultation in 2019.