Must we leave heat networks behind?

By Barny Evans2022-02-24T07:00:00

Systems using centralised plant were meant to be the future, until their carbon intensity put paid to that. But are heat pumps always better?

The latest updates to Part L of the Building Regulations, taking effect in June, make a host of changes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the energy efficiency and overall quality of our homes.

The biggest change is the CO₂ emission factor for electricity, which drops from 0.519kgCO₂ per kWh to 0.136kgCO₂. This means that buildings which are all-electric, with heat pumps for heating, will be the lowest carbon option, much lower than those with gas boilers or combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

The consensus is that this is a good thing: our Building Regulations have been out of date for a long time, and this update promotes an all-electric future – and aligns with the broader net zero agenda. It also further raises questions around our approach to heat networks.

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