The Government aims to reduce Carbon Levels in the UK by changing the Building Regulations Part L1, and by April 2005, most boilers installed in the UK should fall into the SEDBUK band A or band B categories (high efficiency or condensing boilers).

The Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC) and all its members support the Government's aim to reduce carbon emissions, but are aware that it is not always practical to install a High Efficiency Condensing boiler in every circumstance.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has recently indicated that there will be some small exemptions to the new rules in the building regulations for High Efficiency Condensing boilers. A panel of relevant and expert organisation, including Defra, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, The Energy Saving Trust and the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council has advised government on what these exemptions may be.

These are currently being considered and a statement on exemptions is due in late 2004 or early 2005. The new rules for installing only High Efficiency or Condensing boilers will come into effect in April 2005.

Apart from domestic boilers, the new Part L Building Regulations will contain other changes, which will be announced in mid 2005 and become law January 2006. These will include new rules for heating controls, space heating appliances like gas fires and a requirement that heating systems should be cleaned and inhibitors used. More information on these changes will be available on this web site as they become available.