The installation industry is in a state of flux due to the energy transition and constant new developments. There are also more and more laws and regulations that we as installers also have to comply with. Below are some of these laws and regulations.

Laws and regulations governing drinking water installations.

You are obliged to use products that comply with the rules in the Drinking Water Decree. That is why it is important that components of a drinking water installation, such as pipes and taps, have a Kiwa quality mark. You can then be sure that they comply with all Dutch regulations.

Gas boiler law

When working on gas combustion plants, it is mandatory for a company to have CO certification and for an installer to have a Certificate of Craftsmanship under the Gas Boiler Act. Everyone is required to use a certified company for installation, repair and maintenance starting April 1, 2023.

A public campaign should therefore make it clear that not only non-certified installers working on a central heating boiler can be fined. Consumers who engage a non-certified company are also liable to penalties. Read more about this on the website of Thuiscomfort.nl

Markus Techniek has demonstrated competence through CraftsmanshipCO and the Proof of Craftsmanship but does not yet have company certification. We are currently looking for a suitable solution to help our customers in the future.

Sustainable solution required when replacing central heating boiler

Starting in 2026, homeowners will be required to choose a sustainable alternative when replacing a central heating boiler. From then on there will be green requirements for the heating system. Switching to a hybrid solution with a central heating boiler, or other sustainable solution where a central heating boiler is no longer needed at all, will then become an obvious choice.

Noise requirements since April 1, 2021

As of April 1, 2021, new noise requirements have been imposed on (newly installed) outdoor installations for heat or cold generation. This concerns heat pumps and air conditioners used in homes and residential buildings. These installations may not cause more than 40 dB of noise to neighbors.

With this national noise standard, neighbors are better protected against noise from heat pumps and the development of quieter heat pumps is promoted. The determination method for the new noise requirements is laid down in the Building Decree Regulations 2012. The noise requirements do not apply to the heat pump itself (from the factory), but to an installation installed at a residence.

Keep this in mind:

• The noise production of outdoor heat pumps and air conditioners varies and is different for each brand and type.
• Look critically at the installation location regarding noise and resonance from the outdoor unit.
• A vibration-damping setup can significantly reduce sound transmission within the home.
• With a rooftop or balcony arrangement, make sure that noise cannot radiate directly into living spaces and adjacent gardens. It is quieter at night and then noise is especially noticeable.
• Balcony locations have been very critical since the introduction of noise requirements.
• Changes in sound are more likely to be perceived as annoying than a constant sound.
• During hot water production, the heat pump must run at maximum power and therefore the unit will make more noise.
• During defrosting (Defrost) of the heat pump, a lot of noise and a cloud of vapor is generated.
• In addition to the Building Code, a municipality can impose additional requirements through an APV (General Local Bye-Law).

The 2012 Building Code imposes noise requirements on (newly installed) outdoor installations for heat or cold generation. These include heat pumps and air conditioners for homes and residential buildings.

VAT 0 rate for solar panels

The Ministry of Finance has stipulated in the Tax Plan 2023 that zero VAT will be introduced for residential solar panels as of January 1, 2023. The new scheme 0% VAT for PV panels applies only from installer to consumers not to business customers.

This does not include the supply and installation of a home battery or the replacement of the entire distribution board, for example. Not even if this replacement coincides with the supply and installation of solar panels. More info on the tax authorities' website: www.belastingdienst.nl

Decrease in net-metering scheme

The government plans to phase out the solar panel owners' net-metering scheme starting in 2025. With less benefit from your solar installation and longer payback period as a result. The salderingsregeling is a scheme established by the Dutch government in 2004. The Netherlands is still the only country where this scheme is active.

The scheme was established at the time to encourage the purchase of solar panels. The phase-out means that starting in 2025, solar panel owners will only be allowed to deduct a portion of the electricity they supply back to the grid from the amount of electricity consumed. This percentage will drop by 36 percent all at once in 2025 and then go down in steps.

The breakdown is as follows:

Owners of solar panels will then receive compensation for the electricity they cannot balance. Until 2027, this is at least 80% of the supply rate the owner has agreed with the energy supplier. This does not include taxes and charges.

BENG

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

BENG is the replacement for the EPC. The building regulations for BENG set requirements for maximum energy requirements, fossil energy use and renewable energy generation.

With better insulation and better airtightness, this automatically affects the indoor climate. Creating a healthy indoor climate therefore becomes more dependent on building air ventilation facilities.