Scotland's New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) came into force on 1 April 2024, applying to new buildings constructed under a building warrant applied for on or after that date1. The standard was introduced through building regulations, using standard 6.11 (Heating and hot water, direct emission heating system) of schedule 5 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 20043. The regulations were laid in the Scottish Parliament in the week commencing 5 June 2023, prior to taking effect from 1 April 20241.
The standard prohibits the use of heating and cooling systems, located within the curtilage of any new building, which produce more than a negligible level of greenhouse gas emissions at the point of combustion1. It applies to all new buildings, both domestic and non-domestic1. It also applies to the conversion of existing buildings where the conversion involves a change in occupation or use of the part of the building in which an existing direct emission heating system is located, and where it is reasonably practicable to do so1. It does not apply to any emergency back-up heating system installed solely for use in the event of the failure of the heating or hot water service system designed and installed for normal operation1. The standard only extends to the provision of space heating, cooling and hot water; other processes that use or generate heat or hot water for any other purpose are not within scope1.
The Scottish Government consulted on the standard's development, opening the consultation on 28 Jul 2022 and closing it on 20 Oct 20221. It received 112 responses, 91 from businesses and other organisations and 21 from individuals, and reported that the majority (62%) of respondents supported the proposals1. Respondents noted possible unintended consequences relating to the prohibition of bioenergy, non-domestic buildings with complex heat needs, and the provision of emergency back-up supplies1. The Lines Between were commissioned to undertake an independent analysis of responses1.
"The NBHS will apply to all new buildings, both domestic and non-domestic - constructed under a building warrant which is applied for on or after 1 April 2024."
The Scottish Government's 2022 Heat in Buildings Strategy update stated that from 1 April 2024 the use of direct emissions heating systems in new buildings is prohibited, and that new buildings applying for a building warrant must use heating systems which produce zero direct greenhouse gas emissions at the point of use4. The same update said over one million existing homes need to switch to a zero emissions heat supply by 20304. A House of Commons Library briefing states that as of April 2024 new homes in Scotland cannot have oil or gas boilers and must instead have a low-carbon heating system, such as a heat pump5.
| Element of the standard | Detail |
|---|---|
| Applies to | All new buildings, domestic and non-domestic, under a building warrant applied for on or after 1 April 20241 |
| Prohibits | Heating and cooling systems producing more than a negligible level of greenhouse gas emissions at the point of combustion1 |
| Conversions | Applies where occupation or use changes in the part of the building with an existing direct emission heating system, and it is reasonably practicable1 |
| Exemption | Emergency back-up heating systems installed solely for use if the normal heating or hot water service fails1 |
| Scope | Space heating, cooling and hot water only1 |
Why it matters for households
The standard changes what heating a newly built home in Scotland can be fitted with, so a household buying or commissioning a new build under a warrant applied for from 1 April 2024 will not have a direct emission system such as a gas or oil boiler as its main heat source1. That shifts the running of the home onto a low-carbon system, typically a heat pump, and onto electricity rather than gas5. For a household, the practical questions become the cost of running that system, how well the building fabric holds heat, and what the home's energy performance certificate records. The Scottish Government has proposed renaming the energy efficiency rating on EPCs 'cost rating' and adding information such as the heating system5. The standard does not cover existing homes: there is currently no legal requirement for existing homes to be retrofitted or for low-carbon heating to be installed in them5. The Scottish Government has proposed a Heat in Buildings Bill to require homeowners in Scotland to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard by 20335.
What happens next
The Scottish Government announced a review of the NBHS on 28 May 2024, in response to concerns on the use of woodburning stoves, examining the role of woodburning stoves, bioenergy systems more widely, and peat3. On 19 September 2024, Alasdair Allan, Minister for Climate Action, issued a Direction to local council chief executives temporarily disapplying the requirement for the installation of Zero Direct Emissions Heating systems to enable applicants to install a bioenergy or peat heating system or appliance3. The review was concluding and the government said it would implement the outcome by the end of December 20243. Separately, the Scottish Government consulted on a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard, with a Stage 1 consultation published on 31 July 20246. The House of Commons Library briefing states the Scottish Government intends to introduce a Passivhaus standard by the end of 20245.
Sources6 cited
- [New build heat standard consultation: part II
- Scottish Government consultations
- Citizen Space](https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/new-build-heat-standard-part-two/), consult.gov.scot
- [New build heat standard consultation: part II
- Scottish Government consultations
- Citizen Space](https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/new-build-heat-standard-part-two/consult_view/), consult.gov.scot
- New Build Heat Standard (NBHS): direction - gov.scot, gov.scot
- Progress - Heat in Buildings Strategy: 2022 update - gov.scot, gov.scot
- Housing and net zero - House of Commons Library, commonslibrary.parliament.uk
- Building regulations - energy and environmental standards: consultation on proposed changes - gov.scot, gov.scot