Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
443. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the building regulations will be changed in order to ensure that each new building has a non-fossil fuel heating system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15842/20]
View answerThe European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2019 set higher building energy performance standards for dwellings, in accordance with the Nearly Zero Energy Building requirements (NZEB) contained in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
These Regulations apply to works in connection with the design and construction of a new dwelling, where the relevant works commence or take place, as the case may be, on or after 1 November 2019 except where –
- an application is made on or before 31 October 2019 for planning permission or approval pursuant to the Planning and Development Act 2000 and where substantial work has been completed by 31 October 2020; or
- a notice pursuant to the provisions of Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 has been published on or before 31 October 2019 and where substantial work has been completed by 31 October 2020.
These regulations will continue to support the phase out of fossil fuel boilers in new dwellings by advancing the energy and carbon dioxide emissions performance requirements of new dwellings to Nearly Zero Energy Buildings standards and by requiring that the nearly zero amount of energy required in new buildings is covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources.
The NZEB requirements make it more attractive for builders and homeowners to further incorporate renewable technologies and move away from traditional fossil fuels. The Central Statistics Office analysis of Building Energy Rating data demonstrates this shift away from fossil fuels; electrical systems make up 44% of heating systems in new dwellings with this percentage growing steadily each year. Solid fuel boilers are no longer installed as main heating systems and the installation of oil boilers in new dwellings has dropped from an average of 37% to 4% in recent years. The installation of gas boilers in new dwellings is expected to follow a similar trend in the coming years as a result of these recently introduced NZEB regulations.
Similarly, Part L the Building Regulations 2017 has set higher building energy performance standards for Buildings other than Dwellings, in accordance with the Nearly Zero Energy Building requirements (NZEB) contained in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
These Regulations apply to works in connection with the design and construction of a new building, where the relevant works commence or take place, as the case may be, on or after 1 January 2019 except where –
- an application is made on or before 31 December 2018 for planning permission or approval pursuant to the Planning and Development Act 2000 and where substantial work has been completed by 1 January 2020; or
- a notice pursuant to the provisions of Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 has been published on or before 31 December 2018 and where substantial work has been completed by 1 January 2020.
These regulations will also support the phase out of fossil fuel boilers in new buildings other than dwellings by advancing the energy and carbon dioxide emissions performance requirements to Nearly Zero Energy Buildings standards and by requiring that the nearly zero amount of energy required in new buildings is covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources.
The performance requirements in building regulations are set at the cost optimal level which ensure that the best energy performance is obtained for the lowest lifecycle cost taking account of capital cost and operating costs. A range of solutions can be used to achieve these performance requirements. The advanced performance requirements in the current regulations combined with a mandatory renewables requirement, is creating a rapid transition to low carbon heating systems in new buildings.
The cost optimal calculations are reviewed every 5 years and regulations will be amended if performance levels deviate off cost optimal. This regular assessment and flexibility provides opportunities to capture the benefits of innovation and economies developed in industry over time in regulations.
