In certain areas, like Ontario, homes are legally required to damage the environment by being connected to private fossil fuel companies (yes, policy like this count as subsidies to fossil fuel companies). In England that’s set to change with new building codes, no longer will people be forced to use fossil fuels to warm their houses. Moving forward new homes will require solar panels to supplement their energy usage while also including heat pumps. Hopefully this will encourage other places around the world to start incorporating renewable power directly into new buildings instead of relying on retrofits.
“The Iran war has once again shown our drive for clean power is essential for our energy security so we can escape the grip of fossil fuel markets we don’t control,” said Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
The announced changes have been welcomed by the energy industry and those working in green technology for providing certainty that heat pumps and solar panels are worth investing in.
“It’s going to give clarity to the UK market, installers, builders, manufacturers, that there’s a significant market that’s there,” said Garry Felgate, CEO of MCS Foundation, which certifies installers of low carbon heating systems.