The Welsh Government has also set an ambition for private developers to adopt the same standards by 2025.

Mark Wilkins, technologies and training director at Vaillant UK said: “We applaud the Welsh government in setting these standards and ambitions, following its commitment of £250 million to help build 20,000 low carbon homes for social rent by 2025.

“The announcement comes in a timely manner alongside the UK’s Hydrogen Strategy also announced this week. Whilst hydrogen is one solution to decarbonise home heating, climate change is happening now therefore, the UK needs to prepare for the hydrogen option of tomorrow whilst acting on today’s available solutions: heat pumps and heat networks. The new standard will encourage heat pumps into new build social homes which are efficient, green and cost-effective heating appliances that help tackle fuel poverty.

“It is a concern that there is a lack of heat pump installers across the entire of the UK but with courses being developed by the industry and heating manufactures, installers and contractors should feel encouraged and confident to upskill themselves to fit heat pumps.”