The upcoming changes to Part L Building Regulations come into force in June 2022 and are the first step in the Government’s plan to deliver zero carbon ready homes by 2025. All new homes will be expected to produce 31% less CO2 emissions compared to current standards.
What does this mean for new heating systems?
Under the new Part L regulations, any new heating system will need to be designed with a maximum flow temperature of 55°C and have self-regulating, zoned, control devices. Whilst there are several methods to achieve these targets and a focus on renewable energy sources, there is the expectation that heat pumps will become the no.1 driver for primary heating technology for new homes.
Good news for Underfloor Heating.
All Mercury wet underfloor heating systems that we design, supply and install will easily comply with the new Part L revision and also provide other benefits.
Underfloor heating generates ambient temperature over a greater surface area than traditional radiators. Systems are designed by our in-house team to run at a lower temperature (35-55°C rather than 80°C for gas boilers), for 24 hours a day for maximum efficiency. This means that the underfloor heating system can accommodate the optimal coefficient of performance (COP) for heat pumps, which is achieved when they run at 35°C. Underfloor heating can also be zoned and controlled by a number of modern heating controls, which ticks a crucial regulatory box.
It is important to design and install a heat pump system that delivers maximum efficiency. The Regulatory Assistance project reports the lifetime cost of a heat pump for a UK home is now about the same as a gas boiler for the first time, making this more attractive for millions of households concerned about souring bills. Further savings can be made via the new Boiler Upgrade Scheme launched on the 1st of April 2022 which provides a £5,000 – £6,000 grant, depending on whether an air source or ground source heat pump is specified, for sufficiently insulated homes and zero VAT for eligible households. Find out more about the scheme here.
Value for homeowners.
Along with compliance with the coming changes to Part L and thermal comfort, installers can also promise homeowners that they will benefit from reduced running costs. An underfloor heating system will be between 15% and 40% cheaper to run compared to traditional radiators. It will also require very little maintenance and with a 50-year guarantee supplied with all Mercury pipework, households can be reassured that the system will run smoothly.
Aside from future-proofing new properties in line with the incoming Part L revisions, professionally installed underfloor heating offers safety, health, and wellbeing benefits. Underfloor heating offers design freedom, radiators become a thing of the past, freeing up precious wall and floor space. Health benefits include relief for asthma sufferers, studies show a reduction in dust particles by a huge 80% which is good news for the 60% of UK residents who say dust mites trigger their asthma symptoms (Asthma.org.uk).
There’s also a relief for arthritis sufferers, whose symptoms in their feet, ankles and legs can be alleviated by the constant, ambient temperature provided by an underfloor heating system.
How UFHN can help.
As the industry strives toward providing energy-efficient solutions and technologies to meet the Government’s green agenda, we are uniquely positioned to help meet regulatory changes by offering advice and system design expertise. We can also supply a range of systems and products to comply with the latest regulations, or even help with installation. Give the team a call on 01202 894976, email sales@ufhn.co.uk or send in your plans via our contact us page and we’ll be happy to help.
