Repealing legislation prescribing the maximum temperature to which particular premises may be heated
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Detail of outcome
Nearly half the energy consumed in the UK is used as heat, with three quarters of the heat utilised by households and in commercial and public buildings, with the remainder used by the industrial sector. Changing the way we produce and consume heat is crucial to meeting the Government’s carbon reduction and renewables targets.
Over 100 stakeholders were advised upon the launch of the consultation, and the consultation was open for 8 weeks. Eighteen responses were received. It was evident through consultation responses that some businesses and local authorities utilise this legislation in their guidelines and policies, as well as rely on the legislation as a useful tool to refuse requests for changes to office temperatures. However, the responses also indicated that there was generally a low level of awareness and adherence to the legislation and consequently there would not be a significant cost to business of revoking this legislation, with other initiatives and policies being utilised to support organisations maintaining appropriate temperature controls.
As a consequence, the Government no longer considers it desirable to control by legislation the use of fuel or electricity for heating premises for the purpose of conserving energy and plans to revoke this legislation. The Government would like to thank all those who took the time to response to the consultation.
Original consultation
Consultation description
This consultation seeks views on the relevance and usefulness of legislation which specifies a maximum temperature to which certain premises may be heated, in order to inform government’s decision on whether to remove the legislation. The Fuel and Electricity (Heating) (Control) Order 1974 prohibits the heating of certain premises above a temperature of 68°F, equivalent to 20°C. The Fuel and Electricity (Heating) (Control) (Amendment) Order 1980 amended the 1974 Order and substituted this limit with 66.2°F, or 19°C.
The Orders were introduced at a time of severe disruption to the UK’s energy supplies. These conditions have generally dissipated and energy policy is now addressed by means which do not depend upon limiting the heating of premises in the way set out in the Orders.