The Heat Pump Association (HPA) says is its 'puzzled' about the Government's announced changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, unveiled on 30 July.
The association is baffled that not only will the implementation of the regulations be delayed until April 2014, but that only a small step will be made toward carbon neutrality in new build homes targeted for 2016 and non-domestic by 2019.
HPA says the Building Regulations are complex, however, it believes there are two significant outcomes of the Government's announcement
Firstly, the next step will have to be 'massive' in order to achieve the declared target of full carbon neutrality in the domestic sector by 2016 and in non-domestic by 2019.
Secondly, the Coalition is striving to achieve a big acceleration in home building between now and 2016 but the building and occupants will not see the benefit of lower running costs as originally envisaged: 'We will be also creating a legacy of buildings which will last for the next 50-100 years, all the while producing much more carbon than they need to,' HPA says.
HPA President, Tony Bowen, said: '...all representatives of the low energy systems such as the Heat Pump Association have supported the drive towards low energy housing which will transform both heating methodology and the energy cost basis of the home. There is a steep learning curve for many builders and supply chains, and we are unsure of how much this new decision will help the transformation.'
He continued: 'We have striven to ensure that renewables in new build dwellings are strongly supported by any change and wait to see the outcome. Whatever considerations have led to this partial measure being adopted, it is essential that progress on low carbon heating systems be maintained and accelerated and that the Government show its commitment to its stated objectives.'
