Code for Sustainable Homes Makes an Impact with UK Heating Industry

The British government is keen to enhance its green credentials and has recently set stretching targets for CO2 emissions reduction. Within this plan the government has introduced the Code for Sustainable Homes which, among other issues, has important implications on the plumbing and heating industry in the UK, both for new build projects and re-developments of existing housing stock.

New properties already have to meet part L1A of the building regulations in force. This part determines a set target for carbon emissions that every new property has to meet. The property developers have to prove in advance that once fully built the property will generate CO2 emissions which is less than (or equal to) the target.

Part L1A was set out in 2005, calling for a reduction of 20% in carbon emissions in new buildings. However the Code defines six levels of reduction in carbon emissions with level one demanding 10% up to level six which demands 'Zero Carbon' dwellings. The government has set a target that by 2016 all new homes will have to comply with level five, which states 100% reduction in emissions.

A points system is used to determine each property's score. 57 points are sufficient for level three, while 90 points are required to meet level six standards. To work out the score, each component in the property is evaluated on its energy efficiency and carbon emissions performance.

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.

One way of meeting the demand is by using renewable energy sources. For example, a level four in the Code requires a high ratio of such sustainable energy systems. Solar thermal systems are highly effective and emit virtually no carbon. Winter heating (when the days are short), will be supplemented by a gas boiler or a hot water tank with an immersion heater.

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.

The Code for Sustainable Homes is an important block in the governments' strategy and will have other ramifications on the building industry in the UK. It is thus important to ensure that the industry is adequately prepared for it, as it is likely to influence the building regulations expected to be introduced in 2010.

The know how and technological skills in the UK are of a high level, which should help the introduction and implementation of such high efficiency technologies. The latest renewable technologies promise great efficiency at a reasonable price thus making more appealing to the wider population.