New Build Regulations: A Green Light for the UK Low Carbon Heating Sector

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, stating that it will ensure that new homes and non-domestic buildings are built with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency, so that buildings constructed to these standards will not require retrofitting to become zero carbon in use as the electricity grid decarbonises. 

Dan Marsden, Director of Renewables at Wolseley Group, said: “The publication of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard is a decisive step forward and one the sector has been waiting for. It brings long overdue clarity and aligns with the government’s ambition to accelerate housebuilding while raising the bar on energy performance.

For installers, this marks a clear shift in where the market is heading. Demand for heat pump expertise in new build will accelerate quickly, and those who invest in skills and accreditation now will be best placed to benefit. The opportunity is significant, but so is the need for support, training and confidence to make that transition.

In our Wolseley at Westminster report last year, we were clear that delays to policy were holding back investment and slowing the growth of the UK’s low carbon heating workforce. It’s encouraging to now see that direction of travel confirmed. This is exactly the kind of signal businesses need to unlock investment and scale up capability across the supply chain.

The focus must now shift quickly to delivery. Getting the detail of implementation right will be critical if we are to future-proof new homes and avoid creating challenges further down the line. That means ensuring installers are trained at pace, supply chains are resilient, and the policy framework remains stable.

If we get this right, the prize is significant. We can build homes that are fit for the future, reduce energy bills for households, and create a strong, investable market for low carbon heating. The direction is positive. Now we need to make it work in practice.”

Are you an installer looking to upskill? Our Renewables Centre is a one-stop-shop for training and accreditation. Visit our website for more information.

Source : Wolseley

Image : Oscarhill / iStockphoto / 538872918

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