The Scottish Government published the New Building Heat Standard (Part II) consultation on 29 July 2022, proposing that direct emissions heating systems (DEH), such as those run on fossil fuel, would no longer be installed in any homes and non-domestic buildings warranted from April 20241. The consultation was launched by Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie at Saughton Park and Gardens in Edinburgh, where two ground source heat pumps provide the buildings' heat1. It runs for 12 weeks until 20 October 20221.
Under the proposals, DEH would be replaced by alternatives such as heat pumps, solar and electric energy1. The consultation defines a "direct emission heating system", in relation to a building, as a system other than a heat network by which the building is heated or cooled, or by which hot water is made available, which uses thermal energy from a source located within the building or its curtilage and which during normal operation produces greenhouse gas emissions at the point of production of that thermal energy1.
The government states that Scotland's homes and buildings account for approximately a fifth of all our emissions1. New energy standards were published on 15 June 2022, which the government says will cut emissions of all new-build homes by nearly a third1.
"The proposed regulations are another major change to achieve our climate targets and make our homes and buildings warmer, greener and cheaper to run."
The consultation covers new buildings only. It does not set out requirements for heating systems in existing homes, and no proposals on existing buildings are reported in the announcement1. The definition of a direct emission heating system excludes heat networks, so the proposed restriction applies to systems within the building or its curtilage rather than to heat supplied from a network1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Consultation opened | 29 July 2022 |
| Consultation closes | 20 October 2022 |
| Proposed start for warrant applications | April 2024 |
| Applies to | New homes and non-domestic buildings |
| Systems affected | Direct emissions heating systems, including fossil fuel systems |
| Named alternatives | Heat pumps, solar, electric energy |
Why it matters for households
The proposals apply to buildings that are not yet built, so they change what heating a new home in Scotland can be fitted with rather than what an existing home must do. For a household buying or commissioning a new build, the practical effect is that the heating system installed at handover would be one that produces no greenhouse gas emissions at the point of heat production, such as a heat pump or direct electric heating, rather than a gas or oil boiler1. That shifts a new home's running costs and its exposure to fossil fuel prices onto electricity, and makes the building's fabric, insulation and heat distribution more important to how much it costs to run.
For households in existing homes, the consultation as announced does not change any obligation. The announcement gives no detail on how existing homes would be treated, and no timetable for existing buildings is reported1. The wider context is that Scotland's homes and buildings account for approximately a fifth of all emissions, and the government has said new energy standards published on 15 June 2022 will cut emissions of all new-build homes by nearly a third1.
What happens next
The consultation runs for 12 weeks until 20 October 20221. The government has said it has been working with industry to inform the development of the proposed regulations and has urged individuals and organisations to share their views to help shape and inform their delivery1. No date for a decision or for the laying of regulations has been reported1.
Sources1 cited
- Transforming heating in homes - gov.scot, gov.scot