The challenge to deliver low-carbon housing

Today, housing developers are more frequently looking to deliver future-proofed properties that rely on renewables, driven by both government regulation and consumer demand. Mark Ferris, National Specification Manager at Ariston, explores the challenges that can arise when specifying heat pumps in new homes and how they can be overcome.   

The UK housing sector is currently at a turning point. The government remains committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and the Future Homes Standard is set to mandate low-carbon heating in new homes from 2025. That means the pressure is on for developers to embrace change.  

Heat pumps are no longer just an option; they are driving the development of low-carbon housing in the UK. They operate by extracting energy from the air, ground, or water and transferring it into the home, delivering efficient heating and hot water with minimal emissions. For every unit of electricity consumed, a heat pump can generate up to four units of heat. 

In newbuild developments, heat pumps can be integrated seamlessly into building design, avoiding the need for costly retrofits later. With improved fabric standards and enhanced insulation, modern homes provide the ideal environment for these systems to operate efficiently. However, real-world challenges still remain, from upfront costs and supply chain readiness to consumer confidence and technical integration on site. So, what are they, and how can they be tackled? 

Cost pressures and investment hurdles 

Developers are navigating an environment shaped by rising material costs, labour shortages and economic uncertainty. Against this backdrop, the move towards low-carbon housing is sometimes seen as an additional financial burden as they can be more expensive to install than traditional boilers, a premium that house buyers aren’tprepared to pay for. 

Supply chain skills shortages 

Rolling out low-carbon technologies requires a workforce with the right expertise. Currently, there is a shortfall in installers trained to design and commission heat pump systems, which can cause delays and limit confidence.  

Complex and uncertain regulation 

While the Future Homes Standard provides direction, at this point developers still face uncertainty over the pace of regulatory change and how it will be enforced. Planning requirements also vary regionally, creating a patchwork of expectations that can complicate design and procurement strategies. 

Awareness and consumer confidence 

Finally, homeowners remain unfamiliar with low-carbon technologies, which can make potential buyers hesitant. Developers must therefore not only install sustainable systems, but also ensure end-users understand and trust them. 

Developers cannot tackle these issues in isolation. Collaboration with manufacturers, installers, and local authorities is key to delivering a successful roll out of low-carbon homes. Working with heat pump manufacturers, such as Ariston, from the early stages will ensure that the system design and product specification will meet both regulatory requirements and the practical constraints of each site. 

The industry must also invest in developing the workforce to ensure quality installations that homeowners will be satisfied with. Manufacturers such as Ariston are already offering training for heating engineers, ensuring they can confidently specify, fit and maintain low-carbon systems. By partnering with training providers, developers can make sure their engineers and contractors are capable of meeting future demand. 

When it comes to costs, developers should consider the long-term benefits of low-carbon housing and communicate the benefit of purchasing a future-ready home to potential buyers during the sales process.  

During the handover process, providing education for the homeowner about their new heat pump system is key. Clear guidance on how to operate the system, combined with transparent information on performance, can alleviate concerns. Without this, developers are likely to face complaints from unhappy residents, further fuellingnegative opinions about heat pumps. Manufacturers such as Ariston offer remote monitoring via its service partner network as well as AI Active Care within Ariston Net to identify potential faults before they occur, which developers can tap into to give homeowners peace of mind. 

www.ariston.com/en-uk