New energy efficiency U-turn welcomed by leading agency

It looks like more politicians are preparing a U-turn on energy efficiency rules for the private rental sector.

Media reports indicate there is to be a delay in the deadline for the phasing out of fossil fuel boilers and their replacement with heat pumps or other green energy schemes in Scotland.

As part of the Scottish Government’s Heat In Buildings Bill a proposal to begin phasing out oil, gas, and coal heating systems from 2025 is expected to be delayed by several years. 

An upcoming consultation is set to stick to commitments for all homes to reach a good level of energy efficiency by 2033 "where feasible and cost-effective", and "almost all homes" to be heated by climate-friendly heating systems by 2045.

The SNP-Green government had previously said they were going to rule out new or replacement fossil fuel boilers for 170,000 off-grid properties by 2025 with householders expected to install heat pumps or other sustainable technology. The government had also committed itself to banning new gas-fired boilers in properties on the grid from 2030. They are now reported be about to delay these commitments.

However, the ban on gas boilers in new build properties will still go ahead from spring next year, which will apply to homes with a building warrant received from April 2024.

A Scottish Government spokesman says: "We will also take account of the need to protect people from unacceptable short-term costs, and the need to achieve our goal of reducing emissions at the same time as supporting people facing wider financial pressures that have developed since the strategy was published."

Patrick Harvie, the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights, has previously said that the cost of installing heat pumps is about £8,400 but the Energy Savings Trust estimates that typical costs are about £14,000.

The reported delays have been welcomed by  DJ Alexander Ltd, the largest lettings agency in Scotland.

David Alexander, chief executive of DJ Alexander Ltd, comments: “If this reported easing of the timescale for the introduction of greener heating is proved to be true then it will be welcome news for the housing sector. Most organisations felt that the deadlines were unrealistic, the costs too expensive, and the infrastructure to achieve these plans was not in place. A delay will allow a reset of the policy to ensure it can be effectively introduced where it is appropriate and affordable.

“Few deny that cleaner energy systems are required but most felt that this was all being introduced too quickly and with insufficient planning. For many homes in Scotland the proposed technology is unworkable. In particular, tenements will likely require a different solution than heat pumps to provide energy to multiple homes. Equally the number of trained installers remains very low for the levels of installation required over a short time frame. Allowing additional time to get the infrastructure in place to deliver clean energy plans is clearly a more realistic and achievable approach.

“Trying to turnaround decades of building regulations, and traditional homebuilding technologies in a short period of time was always going to be difficult. I believe that introducing a more realistic timeframe, consulting widely with the whole housing sector, and creating a proposal that is achievable, affordable, and introduced over a longer period of time will ensure a more successful outcome for all concerned.”