Heating plant emission rate
According to the Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide published by HM Government in 2013, the term ‘Heating plant emission rate (HPER)’ refers to:
… the annual carbon dioxide emissions from fuel and power consumed by the heating plant, offset by the emissions saved as a result of any electricity generated by the heating plant, divided by the heat output over the year. It is measured in units of kg of carbon dioxide per kWh. To calculate HPER it is necessary to know the plant size ratio.
The plant size ratio (PSR) is the nominal heat output of the heating plant divided by the design heat loss (the average heat loss of the building on a cold day with a temperature differential of 24.2°C).
Note: The heating plant emission rate includes any auxiliary space and water heating that may be necessary, i.e. it represents the performance of all heating plant needed to provide space and water hating service to the building, assuming a standard demand pattern.
Note: For a given heat demand, the plant size ratio determines the part-load condition for the heating plant.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Building services compliance with the building regulations.
- Building services.
- Corrosion in heating and cooling systems.
- Domestic building services compliance guide.
- Gross calorific value.
- Heat pump.
- Heat recovery.
- Heating.
- Non-domestic building services compliance guide.
- Overheating.
- Radiant heating.
- Space heating system.
- Underfloor heating.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.




















