SPECIAL FEATURE
HVAC
DECARBONISING NEW BUILD RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS For large developments of new build residential buildings, low carbon heating will be the priority as legislation changes amid the net zero transition. Tom Murray, Specification Director at Baxi Heating, discuses the legislation landscape for these developments and everything the contractors working on them need to know.
T
hough there is no one-size-fits-all solution for heating the nation’s residential and commercial buildings in a carbon neutral way, electric heating will play a key role in the decarbonisation process. Whether electric boilers, hot water cylinders, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) or a combination of all of them, developers and contractors working in the new build sector have a wide range of solutions to choose from.
Changing legislation One of the most monumental changes to the residential new build sector is the Future Homes Standard expected in 2025, which seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of new build homes by mandating that only low carbon heating is used in them. The proposed detail means gas boiler or other fossil fuel-based heating system installation in all new build homes could be prohibited from 2025 onwards, meaning electricity will become more prominent for the HVAC sector. More recently, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published its response to the Building Regulations Approved Document L&F consultation from 2019. This will ensure new homes are required to achieve a carbon emissions reduction target of 31% over the current rate from 2022. While the update places an emphasis on building fabric considerations, heating technologies will still play an important role. This interim Part L update acts as a stepping stone towards the far more stringent energy efficiency requirements for new homes under the Future Homes Standard. Finally, SAP 10 will also come into effect as the revised compliance calculation methodology underpinning Building
New homes are required to achieve a carbon emissions reduction target of 31% over the current rate from 2022
30 | May 2021
HVAC – Baxi.indd 30
Regulations, meaning carbon factors for electricity will be changing. Not only will this favour low-carbon, electricity-based technologies like heat pumps and cylinders, but it will also lead to more uptake of SAP boosting accessories for fitting with existing gas boilers on top of their low carbon counterparts. These include easy-to-use smart controls, shower heat recovery units (SHRU) and flue gas heat recovery (FGHR) units.
The evolving landscape in the built environment is going to require all contractors across disciplines to adapt to new technologies and solutions
Supporting the transition The evolving landscape in the built environment is going to require all contractors across disciplines to adapt to new technologies and solutions. Along this journey, it is the responsibility of HVAC manufacturers to support professionals in the sector with all challenges that arise, not only with technologies, but with skills, design and aftercare services. Using valuable contractor feedback, Baxi Heating has developed the Baxi Assure range of products and services in response to the rapidly growing support that will be required to build more sustainably heated homes. One hurdle for contractors working in this sector is often having the skills to install HVAC products, particularly heat pumps. In real terms, only 30,000 ASHPs are currently installed per year across all sectors, which are currently facilitated by less than a 1,000 MCS qualified businesses. This is not feasible in the long term if ASHP installation targets of 600,000 installations per year by 2028, are to be met.
electricalcontractingnews.com
Delivering a well-designed and installed ASHP should, in theory, deliver cost efficient heating that is close to the equivalent of gas-powered systems in a well-insulated house. Though, as they have a finer degree of tolerance, it is also imperative that the design and installation are exactly right. To help with this, electrical contractors working on new build residential developments can have access to training on all product installation, including heat pumps, to ensure installations are correct. To keep a track of every aspect of the heating installation, contractors can benefit from support at every stage from one point of contact on the Baxi Assure team. They also have access to a Project Hub to manage project product registrations, in addition to technical support and advice from installation to legislation. As many issues with electric heating systems can derive from incorrect design, the Baxi Design service is provided for accurate sizing and specification, an invaluable tool for making ASHP installations truly efficient. While the legislation and net zero landscape signals an uptake in electric HVAC technologies, it is the responsibility of manufacturers to support electrical contractors in the sustainable transition. By providing the services and guidance on the latest technology, professionals in the new build sector will be able to deliver energy efficient, low carbon solutions to power the homes of the future. Baxi, baxi.co.uk
@ElecConNews
/electricalcontractingnews
27/04/2021 15:39
