Code for Sustainable Homes – Important for Heating Companies

The Code for Sustainable Homes is an important document as far as the heating and plumbing industry in the UK is concerned. The UK government has taken a leading role in the fight against carbon emissions and global warming. The overall plan by the government is partly reflected in the Code for Sustainable Homes. The Code discusses domestic water heating and it presents an important piece of legislation for the British heating industry both for new build homes and in re-development projects.

New housing developments have to adhere to part L1A of the building regulations which is currently in force. This part of the building regulations defines a clear target for carbon emissions that every new home has to achieve. The developer has to prove that when fully built, the new home or property will generate a carbon dioxide emission which is no greater than the target. Part L1A was introduced in 2005 setting a target of 20% reduction in CO2 emissions for new property developments. The new Code for Sustainable Homes sets six levels of emissions reduction starting at 10% for level one, up to 'Zero Carbon' for level six. By 2016 all new dwellings have to meet the government target of 100% reduction in carbon emissions, which corresponds to level five of the Code.

The levels reached per dwelling are based on a points system, which evaluates each property according to the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of its components. A score of 57 is required for meeting level three, while not less than 90 points are required to meet level six.

It is fair to say that water heating systems currently available in the UK can meet the standard for medium levels within the Code. Still there is work to be done to make the heating systems efficient enough to meet the requirements for the top most levels, such as levels five and six.

In order to reach the new targets, some developers are voting for renewable energy technologies. For example a solar water heating system generates hot water with almost no carbon emissions. The system can be further enhanced by a high efficiency boiler or a hot water cylinder with an immersion heater to provide a reliable backup for the winters (with short and cold days).

Experts argue that the Code should be applied not only to new buildings but also to retrofit projects. Installing an energy efficient boiler or a hot water tank would benefit not only the environment, but also the home owners through reduced heating bills. A high efficiency boiler (such as an A rated condensing boiler) converts more than 90% of the input energy into usable energy, improving on previous boilers by around 30%. Similarly, a well insulated hot water cylinder will reduce heat loss during the night to near zero levels, compared with poorly insulated old cylinders.

To ensure a successful launch, it is important to verify that the UK heating industry is well prepared for the implication of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Furthermore it is expected that the Code will have a direct impact on the building regulations to be introduced in 2010 further affecting the industry.

Engineering and technological capabilities in the UK are high, giving the government comfort in the ability of the sector to roll out the high efficiency technologies. What's more, the new technologies become ever more attractive to the public as prices drop while performance levels improve.

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This page has been written with contributions from experienced heating engineers from Surrey and Gas Safe engineers from Battersea. Several of the company's qualified plumbers from Kent have worked on similar issues as well as some of our plumbers from Milton Keynes and our Balham plumbing and heating engineers.

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