Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ95770

We do not set a requirement to install specific technologies in new social or private homes. We set standards around energy efficiency and building performance while affording flexibility for developers to meet the standards in the most effective way for their specific development.

Our Welsh Housing Quality Standard applies to all affordable housing schemes funded by the Welsh Government. It sets energy and decarbonisation requirements consisting of achieving EPC A (SAP92 or greater) through minimum fabric standards and by not using fossil fuel fired boilers to provide domestic hot water and space heating.

Part L of the Building Regulations applies to private homes and contains the requirements around conservation of fuel and power. In 2022, we made a significant and necessary step change in energy and carbon performance in new housing, which introduced a 37% reduction in carbon emissions for new dwellings (compared with previous standards).

The 2022 amendments included solar PV within the notional building specification which sets the energy target. Although not mandatory, this encourages the use of renewable energy in new dwellings.

To provide a clear vision to industry, our previous Part L consultation highlighted that all new homes will require a low carbon heating system to meet the proposed Part L 2025 standard. We have commenced a review of Part L, and a public consultation is expected later this year, which will contain the full technical details of the proposals.