In a surprise announcement in the Budget the definition of zero carbon is to be revised in the Building Regulations from 2016.
Under the original plans, all energy used in new homes – from heating and fixed lighting to hot water and appliances – would count in determining the efficiency of a home from 2016.
However, the government now says that appliances, which can account for up to 45% of a household’s energy consumption, will be excluded from the definition. The building industry says this will significantly reduce the overall carbon-reduction target in new homes, by about one-third.
The UK Green Building Council described the plans as a “U-turn” and said it revealed a shocking weakening of the government’s green agenda. The government says emissions from the energy consumed by appliances will be addressed by other policies, such as the EU emissions trading scheme.