Economic conditions in the last quarter of 2024 appeared to remain flat, and there was little respite with the incoming new UK government. Housing reflected that with an unremarkable end to the year.

But starting 2025, the chancellor of the exchequer has been making increasingly positive noises about growth, specifically around speeding up planning approvals for the development of new homes. The government is backing housing developments in key areas such as zones close to commuter transport hubs, with a view to providing housing that targets working families. These ideas will be formally presented in the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill this spring.

Coming out of 2024, we can reflect on a difficult year which, on the surface, may not have delivered particularly positive market conditions. However, there were many progressive actions being taken in the housing industry regarding heating and cooling. Most, if not all, major housing developers are now actively planning for their heating systems of the future, and planning for The Future Homes Standard. Twenty twenty-four was the year when UK housebuilders started deep diving into what heating solutions they may couple with Air Source Heat Pumps in new build homes, with several housing developers now potentially reviewing adoption of product solutions within their house designs.

Fundamentally changing a heating system which has been commonplace since the 1970’s is a huge undertaking! It presents numerous challenges, but it also presents plentiful opportunities. At Polypipe, we are working in partnership with our customers to explore these improvements and efficiencies in the construction process as part of introducing innovative technologies.

We believe the only way a manufacturer of building products can guarantee long-term success for ourselves and for the wider delivery of sustainable homes, is to focus on value-added propositions for our customers rather than being labelled as just a product manufacturer. And to implement the necessary changes, the UK construction industry needs solutions to tomorrow’s problems. It is essential as a UK manufacturer that we are progressive in our innovations, to ensure we are providing customer solutions for the sustainable homes of the future.

To learn more about Polypipe’s Underfloor Heating offering, for example, visit www.polypipeufh.com