No Gas in new Build properties by 2025

So the latest news is a Committee on Climate Change (Who are they?) is suggesting that from 2025 at the latest, no new homes built should be connected to the gas grid, is this the correct thing to do?

As an installer of gas boilers this does not worry me, as I have moved into other markets already, but with the suggestion of hydrogen possibly been a new fuel instead of natural gas, is this the best way forward for energy, shouldn't we look at all options first, this I find is the problem, the UK always seem to react to knee jerk reactions and this just leads to failure, we were told years ago that Carbon Neutral homes would be implemented from 2016, never happened, will the same happen with this idea, this important issue needs real planning, discussion and thought and not by some closed door group who know nothing of the industries that will be effected, we need a 10 year plan, start slowly, working with technology already available, monitor the performance, start training designers, architects, consultants and installers how to correctly implement technologies into properties, not just come out with a random statement and then expect it to magically work.

Lets start at the most important point, insulation, Building Regulations need to be improved to make insulation levels much higher than they currently are, its not difficult to understand that keeping the heat in is the sensible solution, by improving insulation you lower the heat input required to heat the property, as the less heat lost, the less heat needs to be replaced, its not rocket science, any heating system in new build, whether its gas or renewables, should be designed to run at 50 degrees C maximum, lower if possible, there is no need for any heating system to run at high temperature these days, if correct heat loss calculations have been carried out for each room, then a suitable heat emitter can be specified to meet the heat loss of that room at 50 degrees C, again not difficult to do, but it does mean rads will be larger than for higher temperature or triple panel rads would be needed, but often the home owner is not prepared to have radiators sized to run at low temperature, so they refuse, what are we supposed to do

To me we need to reduce running costs of heating systems, fuel poverty is rising and this needs to be addressed, this is what people are more concerned with, how much they pay, but Government and certain groups seem to think people are more concerned with their carbon footprint, well they are not.

In my opinion if proper discussion, training, design and regulation change are put in place first before jumping to not connect new build homes to the gas grid, it could work well, but I fear as usual it will be badly managed, no training and like other ideas before this one, will fail miserably.

I personally am a fan of heat pumps, but its important that the system is designed and installed correctly, if this no gas to new builds is forced in quickly without proper preparation, I see big problems ahead

What do you think

Installers Need to Prepare for the Future

I think its time installers started to prepare for the future, too much focus from installers is put on their ability to install gas, they focus on Gas training and Gas Safe, well things are changing and installers need to ensure they don't get left behind, in 2020 the Government introduce The Clean Growth Strategy part of this will mean new build properties off gas will not be permitted  to use fossil fuels to heat the home, so we will have to use, heat pumps etc, I believe this will be just the start of change.

Heat Pumps need to be designed correctly, it is essential that installers have the knowledge and training to ensure that they can install and commission these units correctly, however, in my opinion good quality training is not really out there yet and we do not want to go down the route of the low quality gas training that we know is out there, but as more units get specified it will become difficult to get qualified installers to fit them.

In my opinion the best way for installers to get on board with heat pumps is to partner with a qualified heat pump installation companies, as qualified heating and plumbing installers we do not need to go back to basics, I feel working with a qualified installer, installing and learning the important issues required for a good efficient installation hands on, on site, actually installing heat pumps is the best way to learn, personally I am very fortunate to have partnered up with one of the best designers and installers in the market in my opinion and working with him has improved my knowledge and skill in working with heat pumps no end.

Unlike gas boilers the design of heat pumps installations is essential, in fact I see it as two separate things, designing of heat pumps and installation of heat pumps, I would be interested to know how installers feel about training, would you rather a basic design training with in depth installation training, or in depth training on both, or would you prefer to just learn the design side, for me it could work well to partner with a designer of heat pumps and as an installer concentrate on just the installation side, but would be interested in others views on this, but in my opinion, focus needs to be put on getting good quality training courses in place now, lets get things right now, before heat pumps become mainstream

There are of course other renewable heat sources, not just heat pumps, but I urge installers to start preparing themselves and their businesses for the future, don't wait until its too late