National Standards - NHBC guidelines

A properly designed electric heating system can easily achieve the NHBC minimum requirements for either individual rooms or for whole home systems, using products such as Dimplex Panel Heaters, DuoHeat®Radiators or Storage Heaters.

The minimum statutory performance requirements for each of these product types are stated in the Part L Domestic Heating Compliance Guide.

While the NHBC Standard references BS5449 'Code of practice for central heating for domestic premises', this is only one of a number of 'recognized standards' and only covers the requirements for 'wet' central heating systems.

For electric heating systems, the correct recognized standard is DOM8 'Guide to the design of electric space heating systems', published originally by the Electricity Association and updated recently by TEHVA (The Electric Heating and Ventilation Association). This deals with the principles of the design and correct sizing of electric heating systems to meet the NHBC requirements as outlined above.

Free Dimplex Design Service

For developers and large housing providers, Dimplex provides a completely free heating design service to calculate the heat load demands to meet the minimum NHBC standards (or above if so required) and recommend the most appropriate Dimplex product solutions to meet the needs of the building and its intended occupants. All calculations and recommendations made by Dimplex are fully in accordance with the guidance given by DOM8.

Safety Approvals

NHBC Standards also state that space heating appliances should be of a type approved by the relevant authority, for example for electrical products British Electrotechnial Approvals Board and hence carry the BEAB mark.

Unlike many competitors, nearly all Dimplex products are BEAB approved, meaning they have been rigorously tested in an independently accredited laboratory to provide reassurance of safety as well as compliance with specified European and International standards.