Heat and Buildings Strategy Published

THE HEAT AND BUILDINGS STRATEGY published today (19 October) sets out how the country can decarbonise and meet its net zero target by 2050.

It describes large-scale transformation and wide-ranging change to energy systems and markets, including the development of green industrial capability.

To meet Net Zero virtually all heat in buildings will need to be decarbonised. Currently 86% of homes are heated by gas fuelled boilers. The Government says as many as a quarter of a million new jobs could be created from retrofitting homes and workplaces by 2035 (from manufacture to installation and modelling to project management).

Fuel poor households are being prioritised through the current Green Homes Grant for Local Authority Delivery (LAD).

Heat Pumps

The Strategy for homes focuses on installing ground and air source heat pumps to heat homes, replacing gas boilers. Installation of heat pumps costs around £10-18,000. Heat pump use depends on a sufficiently airtight and insulated home. Air source heat pumps fluctuate in efficiency with the air temperature and seasons. Underfloor heating is usually recommended to deliver heat into the home with heat pumps and costs around £2,000.

The cost of heat pumps is hoped to reduce by at least 25-50% by 2025 and towards parity with boilers by 2030. People who switch their boiler for heat pumps early will get a grant of £5000 to help meet the extra cost.

Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) database shows the UK currently has 1,100 qualified heat pump installing companies.

Hydrogen

Strategic decisions on the role of hydrogen for heat will be taken by 2026, the Strategy says. This is to prepare for the infrastructural and regulatory implications that will come with mass adoption of different low-carbon heat sources, such as new electricity generation capacity and network reinforcement.

The Heat and Buildings Strategy advocates a fabric first approach to retrofitting homes. It says “The journey to Net Zero buildings starts with better energy performance.” However, there is no retrofit plan to tackle insulation and lack of air tightness in buildings, which critics point out are necessary to the use of heat pumps. The Future Homes Standard is already being used to mandate more energy efficient new homes.

Massive Let Down

Commenting in the House of Commons today, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Ed Milliband said, “We have waited months for the heat and buildings strategy. It is a massive let down.

“We are in the midst of an energy price crisis caused by a decade of inaction. Emissions from buildings are higher than in 2015. The biggest single programme that could make a difference is a ten-year, house by house, street by street retrofit plan to cut bills, emissions and ensure energy security.”

The Construction Leadership Council estimated it would cost £525 billion by 2040 or £18,750 per home to retrofit the UK’s 28 million homes.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has estimated it will cost around £250 billion to retrofit housing and that 40% of UK homes are above the standard required for net zero.

>>Read more about the Heat and Buildings Strategy in the news