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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.

Emergency heating

The New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) only allows any direct emissions heating system to be used as emergency heating in new-build homes and buildings if its use can be justified. 

The changes to the NBHS which came into force on 1 January 2025 already allow bioenergy, including wood burners, and peat-burning systems to be installed in new homes and buildings. The emergency heating provision allows the use of other direct emissions heating fuels if the system is used for emergency use only – for example, oil or gas.

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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