The Government recently announced its long awaited Heat and Building Strategy. This strategy sets out the direction for decarbonisation of housing and other buildings across England as the Government looks to meet its net zero targets by 2050.
The key takeaways of the strategy are:
- Intention to phase out the installation of new gas boilers from 2035 by making carbon free alternatives, such as heat pumps, cheaper.
- For homes not connected to the gas grid, the Government has published a consultation which could see no more fossil fuel heating systems installed from 2026.
- Emphasis on ‘no and low regrets action now’ with a focus on properly insulating buildings to ensure that less energy is needed to heat up homes.
- Transition the current energy levies, which make gas cheaper, to electricity.
- Develop heat networks which would see heat transported to buildings via a central source, particularly in high density areas.
- Look into the suitability of hydrogen within the future heat network, with a strategic decision due in 2026.
- £3.9bn in funding to support the green transition until 2025. This includes £800m for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, £950m for the Home Upgrade Scheme, £450m for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, £338m on the Heat Network Transformation Programme and £1.425bn to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
- Desire to see ‘as many homes as possible’ in England reach EPC C rating by 2035, with fuel poor homes expected to reach this target by 2030. In Wales, the Government expects social housing landlords to reach this target by 2030.
- A review of how energy efficiency can be included in the new Decent Homes Standard.
> The Almshouse Association will continue to monitor developments of the Heat and Building Strategy and will make members aware of any impending legal changes which may affect them.
> The Association is also looking into what support it can offer to members with regards to retrofitting.
The full Heat and Buildings Strategy can be found here.
Posted 13 December 21