Vol. 514 No. 3
244 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will ensure that all local authority houses are provided with proper central heating in view of the recent report Homes for the 21st Century; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3924/00]
Local authorities were advised in February 1994 that full central heating should be provided in all new local authority housing as part of the overall cost of the schemes. The choice of heating system and fuel should be determined by the local authority primarily by reference to expected capital and running costs, including possible servicing and maintenance costs, and the preference of the likely occupants. Social housing design guidelines issued in September 1999 also advised that the most usual choice of heating system will be a standard central heating system based on a single boiler for dwellings and heat distribution by hot water to radiators. Designers were also advised that if they wish they could consider the possibility of utilising solar panels to provide a proportion of water and space heating, where economic and practicable.
Where capital funding is being provided under the remedial works scheme to assist authorities to carry out major structural works to designated estates, the installation of central heating in these houses may form part of the works undertaken.
The recent report, Homes for the 21st Century, launched on 2 February 2000, laid particular emphasis on energy efficiency in heating homes. The social housing design guidelines particularly encourage energy efficiency in the construction of local authority housing and during the lifetime of the housing. The guidelines also encourage the optimisation of the energy performance of the house.
