If you're designing or building a home in the UK, choosing the right heating system is no longer just about comfort — it's about compliance, efficiency, and future-proofing.
Two key regulations are shaping the future of heating:
- Part L Building Regulations
- Future Homes Standard
A common question is:
“Can infrared heating meet these requirements?”
The answer:
Yes — infrared heating can meet both Part L and Future Homes Standard requirements when designed correctly.
What Is Part L Building Regulations?
The Part L Building Regulations focuses on:
- Reducing carbon emissions
- Improving energy efficiency
- Ensuring buildings use less energy overall
It does not require a specific heating system.
Instead, compliance is measured using SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure).
Is Infrared Heating Part L Compliant?
Short answer:
Infrared heating is not automatically compliant — but it absolutely can be.
Compliance depends on:
- Insulation levels
- Airtightness
- Heating controls (zoning)
- Overall SAP score
- Use of renewable energy
Choosing heating late can result in redesign, inefficiency, and unnecessary expense.
Why Infrared Heating Is Often Misunderstood
Infrared heating is a direct electric system that:
- Heats surfaces and people (not air)
- Provides fast response
- Enables room-by-room control
However, SAP models often:
- Penalise electric heating
- Favour heat pumps
Which means design is critical.
How Infrared Heating Can Meet Part L
-
To achieve compliance, infrared heating must be part of a well-designed building system:
-
High-Performance Insulation
Reduces heat demand and improves efficiency
-
Smart Zoning & Controls
Independent thermostats per room (a Part L requirement)
-
Low Energy Demand Design
Airtight construction + correct system sizing
-
Renewable Integration (Recommended)
Solar PV and battery storage improve SAP performance
Infrared Heating & the Future Homes Standard
The Future Homes Standard represents the next evolution of UK housing, requiring:
Low-carbon heating systems
High levels of insulation and airtightness
No reliance on fossil fuels
Smart, efficient energy use
Expected to become mandatory around 2028, but already shaping today’s designs.
What the Future Homes Standard Means for Heating
Infrared is ideal where:
- Space is limited
- Simplicity matters
- Distributed heating is preferred
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Poor insulation
- No zoning
- Incorrect sizing
- Ignoring SAP calculations
These lead to failure — regardless of system.
Key Insight
The Future Homes Standard does NOT say:
❌“Install a heat pump”
It says:
“Deliver a low-carbon, energy-efficient home”
Infrared heating is not just a product — it’s part of a modern, electric-first heating strategy.
✔ Supports Part L compliance
✔ Aligns with Future Homes Standard
✔ Works in real-world UK housing scenarios
✔ Offers flexible, room-by-room control
Design a Compliant Infrared Heating System
We help homeowners, developers, and architects design Part L and Future Homes Standard-ready heating systems using iHelios technology.
Future Homes Standard Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Part L does not restrict system type — compliance depends on total building performance.
Yes, when used in well-designed, low-energy homes with smart controls and efficient construction.
It can, particularly when combined with insulation and renewables.
Yes — especially for airtight, all-electric homes.
Depends on the project. Infrared offers simplicity and flexibility; heat pumps offer stronger SAP scores.
Yes. Infrared heating is fully electric, so it pairs seamlessly with solar PV and battery storage systems. This lets homeowners boost self-consumption of renewable energy and lower their grid dependency.
IR Infrared Electric Heating: The Latest in Home Technology
Leading option for secure and effective heating - iHelios meets UK and EU Safety requirements and Lot 20 (ErP) rules.
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