CHANGES TO PART L 2021
Intended as an interim uplift towards the Future Homes Standard, changes to Part L will "support industry to prepare and position itself to build to the full standard: ensuring a sufficient supply of low carbon heating and an appropriately-skilled workforce is in place; and that our housing supply commitments can still be met".
MHCLG expect a 31% reduction in carbon emissions for new build properties in comparison to the 2013 standard.
Key changes include:
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Low temperature heating systems (designed for 55°C flow temp)
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Good fabric performance
Window - 1.2
Wall - 1.0
Door - 0.18
Roof - 0.11
Floor - 0.13
Air permeability 5.0m3/(h*m2) -
Possible requirement for space for domestic hot water cylinders to future proof properties
FUTURE HOMES STANDARD
The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is driven by a legally binding target to become 'zero carbon' by 2050. Part L and the FHS pick up the domestic heating part of this target.
The FHS centres on future-proofing new build homes so that they are 'zero carbon ready' by 2025. Decarbonisation of electricity is happening at a much faster rate than originally anticipated, so electrification of heat needs a big push.
Dr Gavin Dunn of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers recently stated on a webinar that "heat pumps are the most cost-effective route through the new regulations".
GAS BOILER BAN
The gas boiler ban was announced by former Chancellor Philip Hammond in 2019 and was reaffirmed by Boris Johnson as part of the Future Homes Standard for 2025. It is not yet signed into law but is making its way through parliament.
The ban will only apply to new build properties from 2025, though it is expected that a full ban (including retrofits) will come into force closer to 2050.
DEC 2021
Interim Part L released
JUN 2022
Compliance to interim
Part L required
SPRING 2023
AUTUMN 2021 - SUMMER 2022
Develop technical specification
SUMMER 2022 -
2024
Embed Future Homes Standard and develop sector specific guidance
Tech consult on proposed spec of Future Homes Standard
2024
Part L FHS regs released
2025
Part L FHS regs come into effect
*Local authorities will retain powers to set local energy efficiency standards but EVERYONE has to comply with baseline building regs as outlined by the FHS.
IS HYDROGEN THE SOLUTION?
In short, no. The economic viability of hydrogen as a fuel source is not expected until the mid 2030s.
Hydrogen can be extracted from water using electrolysis, in a process powered by clean wind power. And, while big firms may be backing this as a source to potentially heat the UK's homes, the Climate Change Committee has stated that this would require double the wind power than is currently planned which "isn't going to happen". They estimate that just 11% of home heating will come from hydrogen.
It is expected that a mix of technologies will represent the heating landscape of the future, not just one solution.
