New Build Heat Standard						

					

											
15 January 2024

									

			

					

	




    



    
        


            

                


                    

                        
The New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) will affect the type of heating system that new-build homes and properties will be allowed to use. From April 2024, changes to building regulations will mean new homes and buildings will not be allowed to use direct emission (or polluting) heating systems like oil and gas boilers, and bioenergy. Instead, they will need to use climate-friendly alternatives like heat pumps and heat networks (also referred to as clean heating systems). Heat networks can be used regardless of their fuel source, including ones using direct emissions heat.


The NBHS applies to all new buildings and some conversions where  a building warrant is applied for from 1 April 2024.


The Standard only applies to systems used for heating and cooling and does not apply to industrial process heat.


Conversions to existing buildings


A conversion is a particular change in occupation or use of a building, for example changing an office to a hotel or an attic into a bedroom. Building regulations define and treat conversions differently to alterations and extensions.


If you are converting an existing building, the NBHS will apply if:


    

  • you have a direct emissions heating system in the building or area of the building you are converting, and
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  • it is ‘reasonably practicable’ to install a clean heating system  – guidance on what is considered ‘reasonably practicable’ is provided in support of the new standard 6.11 within Section 6 (energy) of the 2024 Technical Handbooks.
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Exceptions to the NBHS


The NBHS does not apply :


    

  • if you are altering or extending a building built under a warrant applied for before 1 April 2024
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  • to an emergency heating system
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  • to heating provided solely for the purpose of frost protection
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For more detail see the Building Standards Technical Handbooks. These provide further detail on what is considered emergency back-up use.


You can read the Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023 and an accompanying policy note at the legislation.gov.uk website.