The largest recent change is the proposed transition from gas boilers to heat pumps to heat a property and the hot water system. A recent announcement from the UK government included a target of installing 600,000 heat pumps a year from 2028.
There are a number of factors to understand whether a heat pump is right for your property and most often or not it is not viable for a Listed Building or much older property due to the low levels of insulation. However, alternative options are available such as heating only the new build well insulated areas of your project to an older property via a heat pump.
Air source heat pumps are the more frequently specified heat pump as ground source heat pumps require a large area of ground available to become efficient. A myth regarding air source heat pumps is that they have to be located directly adjacent to the property, which is not correct; the heat pump can be located even up to 60metres from the property so it could even be tucked away in a far corner of the garden away from your house.
Another aspect to consider is the level of insulation. Building Regulations are proposed to be updated to improve energy efficiencies, carbon savings and renewable technologies with the insulation requirements to be improved significantly from current standards. At Fineline Architects, we advise our clients where best to insulate their properties above the required standards, to achieve a more thermally efficient property, which will not only provide savings on their energy bills but will allow a heat pump to run more efficiently (if applicable on the project).
Sedum roofs are a key addition to any project, not just because they look fantastic and are a significant improvement on what would otherwise be a flat roof with a grey membrane but because they are great for biodiversity. The sedum is fairly low maintenance with one of our clients providing the following witty review of their sedum roof:
“The sedum roof: it is alive and well, hasn't been over-run by grass, looks good, and we haven't felt it necessary to water any more than the rain has provided as it seems healthy. So, very low maintenance and aesthetically pleasing = highly recommended.”
Solar panels are an addition to pitched roofs that can work brilliantly in tandem with an air source heat pump to offset your electricity demand. The technology and design of solar panels has improved significantly over time with systems that can be installed flush with slate or zinc roofs, greatly reducing the visual impact
