How Building Regulations Will Change The Way Buildings Are Heated
In June 2022, there will be important updates to the UK Building Regulations that will affect everyone in the housebuilding industry. The additions and changes are stop-gap measures aimed at improving the energy efficiency of properties and buildings.
Ambiente wants to help installers prepare for the changes, so below is an overview of the updates, facts and important solutions to help keep residential and commercial projects on track.
Why are the Building Regulations changing?
Changing the way homes are built and heated can change the future of our planet.
Interim uplifts to Part L and Part F, the introduction of Part O and other updates to the Building Regulations are part of a plan to help the UK reach its net-zero targets.
Hitting net-zero targets by 2050 will help to limit global temperature increase. Failure to hit government targets could negatively impact our world and how we live.
Figures from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy state that heating and powering buildings accounts for 40% of our total energy usage in the UK. The residential sector accounts for over 15% of this figure. Therefore, changing how new homes, buildings and renovations are built and heated is a big step in reducing emissions.
Changes to the Building Regulations in 2022 will also help industries adjust ahead of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards introduction in 2025.
The Future Homes and Building Standards will complement the Building Regulations to ensure new homes built from 2025 produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes delivered under current regulations.
Key facts for installers
- Four of the five new Building Regulation approved documents are updates. Only one is an entirely new document (Part O)
- The updates will affect new and existing homes
- The low water temperature update to the Building Regulations and Part L affects new build homes
- The Building Regulations changes come with £6.6 billion of direct investment into improving the energy efficiency of buildings
- Regulation updates will help prepare the market for the gas boiler ban in 2025 by upskilling the workforce and growing supply chains.
- Regulations will require new domestic builds to reduce carbon emissions by 31%
- Regulations will require non-domestic new builds to reduce carbon emissions by 27%
- Domestic and non-domestic properties must have a max flow temperature of 55°C
- New homes must incorporate a self-regulating control device that allows for zoning
- The regulations state that local authorities retain the ability to set their own local (higher) energy efficiency standards if they wish
- Changes will not apply to building work where an initial notice or full plans have been given to a local authority before 15th June 2022 (provided that construction is started by 15th June 2023)
Why radiators are not a solution for the future
Radiators have a series of issues for heating homes and buildings but updates to the Building Regulations could render them more problematic.
Radiator size would have to increase significantly to achieve the needed heat output, and larger, low-temperature radiators can cause heat distribution problems.
The new low-temperature regulations will also make radiators much cooler, and homeowners could even think their systems are broken, leading to potential customer service dilemmas and complaints.
Additionally, if radiator sizes increase, the build costs will rise. Radiators already heavily dictate room layout and stop you from placing furniture against the wall, but a double-size radiator will dominate even more space.
Open-plan living has become a more popular interior trend in recent years, and radiators will detract from that.
Radiators also cause draughts, circulate dust, have messy leaks and corrode over time. Most central heating engineers estimate the average lifespan of a radiator to be 8-12 years and this causes a landfill waste issue.
Make the progression to underfloor heating systems
Hydronic (water-based) underfloor heating is a fantastic solution for meeting new building regulations because underfloor heating doesn’t need to be updated to be a low-temperature system… it already is one!
UFH pipework can cover a vast surface area and provides a mix of heat radiated from the floor and convection heat to create a comfortable and constant temperature throughout the room. Underfloor heating also uses fuel more efficiently and is simple to integrate with renewable energy sources.
Systems can also be fully zoned, ticking a crucial regulatory box and ensuring no wasted energy. Ambiente utilises high-end thermostat technology to give homeowners complete control over each zone. Ambiente UFH systems can also be controlled via a smartphone app.
From a practical perspective for busy installers, our recent study of 100 units deduced that underfloor heating was 15% quicker to install than a radiator system.
Underfloor heating systems also require very little maintenance and won’t need to be replaced in most occupants’ lifetimes as Ambiente pipework comes with a 75-year warranty.
Don’t get left behind with outdated HEATING SYSTEMS
Stay ahead of the competition, broaden your horizons and stay within the regulations with Ambiente.
Customers and contractors want the best for their homes and projects, and underfloor heating will help installers stay ahead of competitors and be ready to seize the opportunity whenever it’s presented.
Ambiente is a supplier that proactively works with installers to provide support and guidance, from pipework specification to design and technical support.
Click here to find out why customers love working with Ambiente.
Fill out our form today to start your journey as an Ambiente-affiliated UFH installer.
