Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Building Regulations preventing the reinstallation of higher-carbon heating appliances on vulnerable, elderly and low-income consumers where it is necessary to change technology.

Low carbon heating systems are already an effective way to reduce household energy bills and are widely deployed across Government grant schemes to support low-income households. Analysis suggests a typical home could save around £130 a year compared with a gas boiler if they use a well-installed, efficient heat pump alongside a suitable smart tariff.

In terms of building regulations, heating systems such as boilers and heat pumps are defined as fixed building services. Their replacement in existing dwellings is covered by Part L and associated statutory guidance, which states the new system should not produce more emissions or consume more energy per kWh of heat than the system being replaced. This supports important principles not just in relation to carbon emissions but also to energy efficiency and affordability.