With the new version of Part L of the Building Regulations now in force (from October 2010), as we move towards zero carbon homes from 2016, much of the focus has been on the aim to reduce carbon emissions from new buildings by 25%.
But, according to Colin Timmins, director of BEAMA’s UK controls manufacturers’ association TACMA, it’s another, less-heralded feature of Part L that shows Government and CLG are serious about reducing energy costs for householders by making a small, but significant, step in the right direction towards more efficient heating systems.
He explains: “Heating and hot water controls have been required for new and replacement heating systems since 1995, but since then these requirements have barely changed. From this October we see a tightening up of the regulations so that heating zones in new systems are each required to have a zone valve and a room thermostat, and radiators in all cases should have thermostatic radiator valves fitted.”
The addition of zone valves ensures that no hot water is supplied to a zone not requiring heating, reducing the amount of time that the boiler will operate. However, it also means that time control can be added for each zone at a relatively small cost; something usually restricted to larger buildings, but providing great flexibility for occupants.
“People forget that controls play an essential role in making sure the heating system operates efficiently, and in allowing householders to make behavioural changes which further reduce their energy,” adds Timmins.
“In an average home, heating and hot water is 84% of the energy use. So it makes absolute sense to provide the best control system we can when a system is being put in, as the additional costs are small, but the benefits potentially huge.
“The Government gets criticised for more rhetoric than delivery on energy efficiency, but this is a definite step in the right direction, which the whole of the heating industry should applaud.”
TACMA hopes this also signals a greater understanding of the importance of heating controls by policy makers. “There is still an estimated 8 million UK homes without a room thermostat,” says Timmins. “If the proposed Green Deal puts insulation in all of these homes, yet doesn’t install a thermostat, then they will just get warmer, and in practice the savings on energy bills supposed to cover the cost of the loan won’t materialise. This is an avoidable problem and we’ll be in dialogue with DECC as they draw up the details of the Green Deal.”
