Rendesco, an energy company, has insisted that the government should adhere to its planned schedule regarding the ban on gas boilers to alleviate the uncertainty faced by housebuilders.
The consultation phase for the Future Homes Standard has concluded. This initiative suggests prohibiting gas boilers in new homes and prescribes the inclusion of heat networks or heat pumps in future residential projects.
Rendesco’s CEO, Alastair Murray, emphasized the necessity for the government to promptly process the input from this consultation to perfect its plans before the Future Homes Standard is enforced in 2025.
“Deviating from the set timeline would only heighten the instability for home construction firms, which have already struggled through 2023, and would worsen the hurdles for first-time homebuyers aiming to purchase homes.
“A number of developers are ahead of the game, having already prioritized sustainable living and eco-friendly heating solutions in their undertakings. It’s crucial that these developers do not suffer due to government delays or indecisiveness.
“We also anticipate that the government will acknowledge our suggested amendments such that the new rules will also explicitly support various other sustainable heating methods like ground source heat pumps and ambient heat networks. This is essential because the focus shouldn’t be solely on air source heat pumps, which may not be the most effective or economical choice for developers and property owners,”