Future Home Standard - Making the Switch

What is the Future Homes Standard?

The Future Homes Standard is a set of guidelines created by the UK government to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency in new homes.

One aspect of the standard requires that new homes must use low carbon heating systems, such as air source heat pumps (ASHPs).

Heat Pumps for New Builds

ASHPs are a type of heating technology that absorb and concentrate heat from the air outside and use it to heat homes. They are more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional fossil fuel heating systems.

ASHPs are being used by some of the larger house builders with an eye to reduce heating costs and carbon impacts in dwellings. It is expected that these systems will become common place within new build homes when the Building Regulations change in 2025.

These systems typically require the use of larger 15mm diameter pipework to achieve the necessary flow rate through the system.

Pipe Sizing for ASHPs

The use of 15mm pipes is important for ASHPs because they allow for the use of lower temperature systems, where the water passing through them runs at a higher flow rate and with a larger capacity, heating the house up more gradually over a longer period compared to traditional heating systems.

These systems are perfect for maintaining ambient heat within a space, which is more efficient and helps reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Make the Switch

Developed with the house builder and sub-contractor in mind, the GRS-DUO-15 Twin Plate Radiator Pipe Guide and Seal was designed to prevent air leakage at pipework penetrations behind a radiator that is plumbed with 15mm flexible plastic barrier pipework, commonly used for central heating systems in modern buildings with ASHPs installed.

Along with limiting air leakage through the penetration and producing an attractive finish to the detail, the product also acts as a guide for the pipework as it exits from behind the wall eliminating the risk of kinks and chafing to pipes.