Laws and regulations

The HVAC industry is undergoing significant changes due to the energy transition and ongoing new developments. There are also an increasing number of laws and regulations that we, as installers, must comply with. Below are some of these laws and regulations.

Laws and regulations governing drinking water systems.

You are required to use products that comply with the regulations set forth in the Drinking Water Decree. That is why it is important that components of a drinking water system, such as pipes and faucets, bear the Kiwa quality mark. This ensures that they comply with all Dutch regulations.

Gas Boiler Act

When working on gas-fired heating systems, companies are required to hold CO certification, and installers must possess a Certificate of Professional Competence in accordance with the Gas Boiler Act. Starting April 1, 2023, everyone is required to hire a certified company for installation, repair, and maintenance.

A public awareness campaign should therefore make it clear that it is not only uncertified installers working on a boiler who can be fined. Consumers who hire an uncertified company are also liable to prosecution. Read more about this on the Thuiscomfort.nl website.

Markus Techniek has demonstrated its professional competence through the VakmanschapCO program and the Certificate of Professional Competence, but does not yet hold company certification. We are currently seeking a suitable solution that will allow us to continue serving our customers in the future.

Sustainable solution required when replacing a boiler

Starting in 2026, homeowners will be required to choose a sustainable alternative when replacing a central heating boiler. From that point on, green requirements will apply to heating systems. Switching to a hybrid system with a central heating boiler—or another sustainable solution that eliminates the need for a central heating boiler altogether—will then become the obvious choice.

Noise requirements effective April 1, 2021

Effective April 1, 2021, new noise requirements have been established for (newly installed) outdoor systems used for heating or cooling. This applies to heat pumps and air conditioners used in homes and residential buildings. These systems must not generate more than 40 dB of noise for neighbors.

This national noise standard better protects neighbors from noise generated by heat pumps and promotes the development of quieter heat pumps. The method for determining the new noise requirements is set forth in the 2012 Building Code Regulations. The noise requirements do not apply to the heat pump itself (as it leaves the factory), but to a system installed in a residential home.

Please keep the following in mind:

• The noise levels of outdoor heat pumps and air conditioners vary and differ by brand and model.
• Carefully consider the installation location with regard to noise and resonance from the outdoor unit.
• A vibration-damping system can significantly reduce noise transmission within the home.
• If installing the system on a roof or balcony, make sure that the noise cannot travel directly into living areas or adjacent gardens. It is quieter at night, so noise is more noticeable then.
• Balcony locations have been particularly critical since the introduction of noise regulations.
• Changes in sound are perceived as more annoying than a constant sound.
• During hot water production, the heat pump must run at maximum capacity, which means the unit will be noisier.
• When the heat pump is defrosting, it makes a lot of noise and produces a cloud of steam.
• In addition to the Building Code, a municipality may impose additional requirements through a General Local Ordinance (APV).

The 2012 Building Decree sets noise requirements for (newly installed) outdoor systems used to generate heat or cooling. This applies to heat pumps and air conditioners for homes and residential buildings.

Zero VAT rate for solar panels

In the 2023 Tax Plan, the Ministry of Finance has stipulated that a zero VAT rate will be introduced for residential solar panels effective January 1, 2023. The new 0% VAT rule for PV panels applies only to sales from installers to consumers and does not apply to business customers.

For example, the delivery and installation of a home battery or the replacement of the entire electrical panel are not covered by this. This applies even if this replacement coincides with the delivery and installation of solar panels. More information is available on the Tax and Customs Administration’s website: www.belastingdienst.nl

Phase-out of the net metering program

The government plans to phase out the net metering scheme for solar panel owners starting in 2025. This will result in fewer benefits from your solar installation and a longer payback period. The net metering scheme was established by the Dutch government in 2004. The Netherlands is currently the only country where this scheme is still in effect.

The scheme was introduced at the time to encourage the purchase of solar panels. The phase-out means that, starting in 2025, solar panel owners will only be able to offset a portion of the electricity they feed back into the grid against their total electricity consumption. This percentage will drop by 36 percent in a single step in 2025 and will then decrease in stages.

The dismantling process is as follows:

Owners of solar panels will, however, receive compensation for the electricity they cannot offset. Until 2027, this will amount to at least 80% of the supply rate agreed upon by the owner and the energy supplier. This does not include taxes and levies.

BENG

Building permit applications for all new construction must meet the requirements for Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings, also known as BENG. The goal of BENG is to reduce CO2 emissions from new buildings.

BENG replaces the EPC. The building regulations for BENG set requirements for maximum energy demand, fossil fuel consumption, and the generation of renewable energy.

Better insulation and improved airtightness automatically affect the indoor climate. As a result, creating a healthy indoor climate has become more dependent on the ventilation systems in buildings.