Over the last few years, the number of new build developments making the transition from gas boilers to cleaner, renewable heating systems has been increasing. With the Future Homes Standard due to come into effect in 2025, all developers and their installers will need to be confident about low carbon heating systems because the installation of fossil fuel boilers in new build properties will be banned. In this blog, we take a closer look at installing heat pumps in the new build sector, exploring Government legislation and installation best practices.
Air source heat pumps installations have grown year on year since 2019 with over 60,000 heat pump installations completed in 2023 (Source: Heat Pump Association). These installations comprise of air source heat pumps being fitted in all types of properties, from retrofits and upgrades through to self-build properties and new build developments. The introduction of the Future Homes Standard, due to be implemented in 2025, will see the use of heat pumps in new build properties continue to grow as this legislation will require such homes to have low carbon heating systems, such as air source heat pumps. In this blog, we will explore the implications of the Future Homes Standard on developers and installers, as well as sharing advice about how housebuilders and their engineers can improve their knowledge of heat pumps.
New building heating regulations
The energy-efficiency of new build properties has been improving for years. This has principally been as a result of new build heating regulations providing minimum requirements for insulation levels and other measures but also due to the growing ambition of housebuilders themselves to make their properties more sustainable. Examples of this include an exclusive development of barn conversions in Norfolk where Grant Aerona³ heat pumps were installed and a new build site in Essex of thirty-three homes where Grant heat pumps and cylinders were also installed.
The introduction of the Future Homes Standard in 2025 will mark a significant change in the new build sector. This proposed Government legislation will introduce changes to Part L Building Regulations setting new minimum standards for new homes, standards that fossil fuel heating will not meet. Consequently, gas boilers will be banned in all new homes which are granted planning permission after the date when the Future Homes Standard comes into effect. It is worth noting that the proposals outlined in the Future Homes Standard were set by the previous Conservative Government and the current Labour Government has not confirmed an implementation date for the Standard.
The changes, which aim to reduce the carbon emissions of new homes working towards the UK’s target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, will impact developers, housebuilders, self-builders and their installing engineers because any new home, whether a single self-build dwelling or part of a larger new build site, will need to comply. The Future Homes Standard will therefore lead to an increase in demand for heat pumps and with installations of this low carbon technology growing, the demand for air source heat pump installers will also increase. After 41% of respondents in the NESTA Survey said that a lack of customer demand was one of the factors preventing them from installing more heat pumps, this new legislation will see this demand increase (NESTA 2024).
Heat pump grant for new build
New build developments are not eligible for Government funding schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) however some self-build properties may be eligible for BUS funding. Buildings where a builder has been contracted by an individual to create a custom-build or where a private individual has built their own self-build property could be eligible for a £7,500 grant through the BUS for installing a new air source heat pump system. Such properties must fulfil the BUS eligibility criteria specifically outlined for self-builds and this does differ to the criteria which applies to homeowners in existing properties who are retrofitting a new heat pump. Learn more about the different Government grants and funding available here.
Heat pump installation best practices
When planning the installation of heat pumps for a site of new build properties, the same best practices for designing and installing heat pump systems need to be applied that are used in the retrofit sector. The heat loss of the properties must be calculated, the sizing of the heat pump output and heat emitters must be accurately specified, and the installation, set-up and commissioning of the system must be completed thoroughly and in full accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The good news is that Grant UK has the in-house expertise to help housebuilders with these steps, whether it is our Design Team assisting with heat loss calculations and specifications or our Technical Sales Support Engineers coming to site to help developers and their installers learn more about heat pump technology and the system set-up. Housebuilders and developers can contact their local Grant UK Sales Representative to discuss the support and resources available for their new build developments.
All developers and their installers will need to consider the best location to site a heat pump on each plot, factoring in the clearances which need to be maintained around the heat pump, the locality to the neighbouring properties and which side of the property’s aspect it will be installed on. A solid, level base also needs to be in place prior to the heat pump being installed. Consideration also needs to be given to where a hot water cylinder can be positioned inside the property because every heat pump will require a cylinder to be installed as part of the system. To read more about the best practices for installing air source heat pumps, please visit our blog.
An important aspect of every heat pump installation is the customer handover and for new build properties, this is a crucial step that can sometimes be missed because of the amount of time that passes between the heat pump system being installed and commissioned to when the homeowners move in. An air source heat pump heating system operates differently to a traditional high temperature boiler so when a homeowner first moves into a new build property, they need to receive an in-depth handover so that they feel confident about how their heat pump operates and the recommended practices for running the system efficiently. Grant UK supply a useful Heat Pump Handover Guide with all of their heat pumps and this document, along with other resources, videos and guides, can be accessed via our online Customer Support Centre.
What are the other heating options for new builds?
When planning heating systems for new builds, there is more than just the primary heat source to think about. Alongside the heat pump and hot water cylinder, the type of heat emitters need to be specified, the controls need to be factored in and the option of adding solar thermal into the system could also be considered. With the heat emitters, every style of new build property will be different with some developers preferring to use radiators both upstairs and downstairs whereas other housebuilders may prefer to opt for the minimalistic look of underfloor heating throughout the downstairs of a property and radiators upstairs. When specifying heat emitters, it is essential that they are suitable for low temperature heat pump systems and they must be correctly sized to ensure there is sufficient surface area to transfer the heat from the heating system to the rooms. View our case study here to read about a new build property that was fitted with an Aerona³ heat pump, hot water cylinder, underfloor heating system and radiators all supplied by Grant UK.
What makes Grant UK’s heat pumps suitable for new builds?
Grant Aerona air source heat pumps are available in heating outputs from 4kW up to 17kW with single and twin fan single phase heat pump models suitable for many different types and sizes of new build homes. The Aerona³ heat pump units are compact in size which can assist with siting, especially when the outdoor space may be limited. Meanwhile the Aerona 290 heat pump uses the more sustainable R290 refrigerant which is a natural refrigerant gas that has a very low Global Warming Potential value of just 3. Every Grant heat pump is incredibly efficient with impressive SCOPs and they operate with low noise levels with the Aerona³ 13kW and 17kW models and all of the Aerona 290 range being awarded the Quiet Mark.
Grant heat pumps can also be supplied with smart controls, designed to make the lives of the end-user and heat pump engineers must easier. The Aerona Smart Controller is an innovative heat pump system controller which not only helps the heat pump to operate more efficiently but it can enable remote monitoring and management, allowing homeowners to adjust their room temperature settings away from the home and providing installers with a solution to assist with off-site diagnostics and support.
Heat pump specification support for developers
Developers and housebuilders yet to make the transition to heat pumps will need to so soon and here at Grant UK, we have the resources to help. As mentioned earlier in this blog, we have teams of renewables experts who can help with system design and onsite support. In addition, we have a host of online resources which are designed to help developers make the move to low-carbon heating with their developments, including:
- Dedicated Specification Hub where you can read interviews with fellow developers and housebuilders who have already worked with Grant products, view the range of different projects and applications that Grant heating systems have suited and discover the range of support services we provide
- BIM Library where Grant heat pumps and radiators can be downloaded as BIM Objects to be integrated into plans
- Free online heat pump training and other courses on renewables are available to access via the Grant eLearning Academy.
Train to be a heat pump installer with Grant UK
Here at Grant, we have been supporting installers with efficient home heating solutions for over four decades and our installer support for heat pumps is extensive. Heat pump installer training is a core pillar at the Grant UK Training Academy, with in-person air source heat pump training courses available as well as OFTEC heat pump training. The Grant eLearning Academy is also accessible for installers and heating engineers and it is home to a selection of on-demand courses on heat pumps, renewable heating and express courses on legislation, all designed to help installers build their knowledge of low carbon heating. View our Training Courses here or learn about our online heat pump training here.
Stay on top of heating news with Grant UK
The Future Homes Standard is a significant milestone in the heating industry and all heating professionals who work in the new build sector will need to prepare themselves and their business for the changes to come. Air source heat pumps provide a reliable, sustainable solution for heating our homes and hot water and the growth in the uptake of heat pumps will create many opportunities for those working in the sector. Installers, developers and housebuilders can explore the full range of Grant air source heat pump products here and installers who want to train to install heat pumps should contact our Training Academy.