Elmhurst Energy has welcomed Chancellor Philip Hammond’s announcement that “We will introduce a Future Homes Standard, mandating the end of fossil-fuel heating systems in all new houses from 2025”.
HM Treasury confirmed that new homes would have low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency. As Elmhurst has previously reported, this is all part of the government’s ‘Clean Growth Strategy’ and part of the Building Mission to halve the energy use in new build homes.
Stuart Fairlie, Elmhurst’s Technical and Operations Director, commented: “We welcome the intention and the strategy that is coming from various government departments, notably BEIS, and now the Treasury. However, the actual details of the policies required to deliver this need to occur rapidly. We are aware that Part L of the building regulations is coming (England and Wales), which will introduce the first part of the future road map for new homes.
“Elmhurst Energy is also keen to stress that existing buildings are equally important, due to the simple fact that there are more of them and they are typically less energy efficient. We do recognise that the ‘Buildings Mission’ also had an intent to halve the cost of making these homes more energy efficient.
“We are also mindful that clean energy may not necessarily be ‘cheap’ energy and fuel poverty is a dimension of this that needs careful consideration. Also as indicated in Elmhurst’s 2019 Manifesto, we would like the transition periods of new building regulations to be looked at to ensure that new homes meet the new standards as quickly as possible.”
For more information and to view Elmhurst’s manifesto, visit www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk.
