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Publication - Factsheet

New Build Heat Standard

Last updated
1 January 2025 - see all updates
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Energy, Housing

New homes and buildings must install climate-friendly heating systems instead of oil and gas boilers. Wood burning stoves and peat heating systems can be installed.

Overview

The New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) requires new buildings to install climate-friendly heating systems instead of oil and gas boilers.

 Changes to the NBHS

Following a review, we proposed changes to the NBHS regulations in November 2024. These proposed changes have now completed the parliamentary process, and officially came into force on 1 January 2025.

These changes mean that bioenergy heating systems like wood burners, and peat-burning systems can:

  • be installed in all new homes and buildings – putting temporary arrangements into law and expanding them to apply to all buildings
  • continue to be used in existing buildings being converted and captured by this Standard

The changes will also allow any type of secondary heating in new buildings.

It remains the case that fossil fuel gas and oil boilers cannot be used as a mains heating system in new-build homes and buildings.

Why we have the NBHS 

Heating Scotland’s homes and buildings is one of the biggest contributors to our carbon emissions. The NBHS helps ensure new buildings do not contribute to this. 

NBHS is part of our wider Heat in Buildings Strategy.

Contact

Email: 2024heatstandard@gov.scot 

First published
22 December 2023
Last updated
1 January 2025 - show all updates

  1. Updated to reflect proposals coming into force.

  2. Explains proposed changes to the NBHS covering wood burners and peat heating systems.

  3. Updated following introduction of temporary ministerial direction allowing wood burning stoves to be installed in new build homes.

  4. Textual changes included updating text and adding information on solid fuel burning stoves.

  5. Minor text changes.

  6. Minor textual amendments to clarify points.

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