David Westwood1d ago
Akshay

“Developers will be required to install solar panels and heat pumps in all new homes in England as part of updated planning requirements published by the government.”

—> credit where due, good policy by the UK Labour government!

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czjw7klkjm2o

#GoodNews #UK #UKPol #Climate #Energy #Solar #HeatPump #Renewables

Heat pumps for all new homes and plug-in solar in green tech drive

Solar panels that can be plugged in at home could be available to buy in supermarkets in the coming months.

Mar 24 at 10:02amWeb
Show threadTim Ward ⭐🇪🇺🔶 #FBPE1d ago
@Akshay On the one hand, jolly good, on the other hand, everybody involved in planning policy across the country forever wishes that central government would occasionally stop moving the goalposts, if only for a few months, so that they'd have a chance to catch up.
Show threadPhil Dennis-Jordan1d ago
@TimWardCam @Akshay In particular, I wish they'd finally figure out what they're doing with the EPC ratings. Under the current 2030 EPC C target, heat pumps score worse than efficient gas or oil boilers, which I find totally absurd.
And then there's the plumbers who will either ignore any questions about getting a building's heating system ready for switching to a heat pump, or reply with "don't bother, just get a new boiler."
Show threadPhil Dennis-Jordan1d ago
@TimWardCam @Akshay (There is now more specific information about the plans for reforming the EPC! But they're still subject to change, and it's still unclear how they'll affect the 2030 target, other than that current "C"s will stay compliant… which doesn't help owners of "D" buildings. Anyway, installing PV looks like the most reliable way to improve a building's rating under both schemes at the moment.)
Show threadRichard Michael Blaber1d ago
@Akshay Really? I take it you haven't read this, then? See: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/24/ministers-delay-new-rules-for-low-carbon-housing-in-england.
Ministers delay new rules for low-carbon housing in England

Homes built from March 2028 will produce 75% less greenhouse gas emissions than those built according to existing 2013 standards

The Guardian
Show threadAkshay1d ago

@rmblaber1956

“Homes built from March 2028 will produce 75% less greenhouse gas emissions than those built to 2013 standard”

So the article details exceptions to the goodness (wood stoves) but this still sounds good to me yes

Show threadThomas Lee ✅ 1d ago
@Akshay should have happened years ago.
Show threadAkshay1d ago

@DoctorDNS

Possibly, but i think it’s important to reward/praise politicians for doing something good, and not just punish them for doing bad.

Otherwise what’s the political incentive, and why would they bother?

The answer is they often don’t, they just try to stay out of trouble, because support and praise is withheld by the lukewarm supporters of a policy, while opponents will always bring the fierce negativity.

Show threadThomas Lee ✅ 1d ago
@Akshay Of coure. I do try to say thank you when politicians do good things. Heck, I even said thank you to MTG. I should be better at that.