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Publication - Factsheet

New Build Heat Standard

Last updated
8 November 2024 - 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. We are proposing changes to allow wood burning stoves and peat heating to 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. 

A temporary direction already allows 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.

Proposed changes – not yet law 

The proposed changes to the NBHS do not alter the emergency heating provision above.

Contact

Email: 2024heatstandard@gov.scot 

First published
22 December 2023
Last updated
8 November 2024 - show all updates

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

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

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

  4. Minor text changes.

  5. Minor textual amendments to clarify points.

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