The UK housing industry faces several energy and carbon emission challenges, particularly as the country aims to meet its net-zero emissions target by 2050. Whilst electrification is essential for decarbonizing the residential sector, overcoming these energy cost challenges that this brings requires coordinated policy support, technological improvements, and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure that both upfront investments and long-term operating costs are manageable for new home builders and homeowners.
Whilst heat pumps are much more efficient their installation costs are significantly higher than gas boilers and currently there is a running cost disparity with electricity per unit being more expensive than gas. In addition, increased electrification leads to higher overall electricity demand, which will stress aging grid infrastructure. To safely and reliably meet these new loads, utilities companies will need to invest in grid modernization and expansion, costs that will be passed on to consumers through higher standing charges.
Octopus Energy is now the UK's largest household energy supplier and in 2024 introduced a new innovative approach with its “Zero Bills” tariff for new homes. This guarantees no a zero utility bill for homeowners and occupiers in new homes that meet Octopus’ specification with the added benefit of reducing grid carbon intensity through demand management.
Nigel Banks, Technical Director at Octopus will present on Zero Bills approach and the requirements for further innovation in grid demand management to reduce grid stress and energy cost for consumers.
There are also major changes coming to Building Regulations and the assessment process for assessing the energy efficiency of homes. Jason Redfearn, Managing Partner at Focus Consultants, will give a summary of these changes including the introduction of the Home Energy Model.
Following the presentations, Jason and Nigel will be joined by ProCon Board member, Peter Conboy who is a Development Director and the Climate Change lead at Igloo Regeneration for the Q and A session.
25th February 2025
Stay ahead of the curve and learn more about the latest legislation updates for building safety and their implications across the industry.
The Control of Buildings has changed and it affects us all.
The Health and Safety Executive has made sweeping changes to way the construction sector must act and it impacts on all those who are involved in procuring, managing, designing, constructing building work regardless of complexity and height of the building.
The introduction of Duty Holders for Building Regulations has very important implications for the signing off the projects by all parties including your Building Control Provider which may also affect contractual arrangements.
Salus (Building Control & Fire Safety Consultants) Ltd are at the forefront of these changes and will give some insights how you will be affected. Along with fellow speakers from Gateley, Pick Everard and Willmott Dixon who will discuss the changes in context.
The presentation will give an overview of the changes, the responsibilities for clients, designers and contractor and complexities of the act including the sanctions should the processes not be followed. Speakers will impart their experiences so far with these changes and lessons learnt.
The important thing to remember is that the guidance on how to build safe buildings has not changed but the processes you need to follow have drastically changed.
25th March 2025
©2025 ProCon Leicestershire Limited. All rights reserved. The use of our website is subject to our Website Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy documentation.
47 Westview Avenue, Glen Parva, Leicester. LE2 9JU. Company number: 5420643
