The research, which was commissioned by Polypipe Building Products, considered industry readiness for the end of a 12-month transition period this month that will see new Part L requirements come into effect.

These changes will apply to the energy performance of new and existing buildings from 15 June. The report found that almost half (48 per cent) of the heating installers surveyed admitted that they are not aware of the updates.

Over a third of the group, (35 per cent) said that they do not keep up to date with changes to regulations.

By the end of this month all projects will need to adhere to the new regulations which means that it is essential for installers to gain an understanding of the legislation and how it will impact their work, Polypipe warned.

The company surveyed 150 heating installers and found that over a quarter (27 per cent) didn’t understand the building regulations at all.

Another 30 per cent of installers felt that while they have tried to gain an understanding of the updates, the building regulations are not clear.

The research identified that there is confusion amongst installers when it comes to which projects the updates will affect.

Of those surveyed, 37 per cent think that because they work on existing dwellings, the legislation won’t affect them.

Meanwhile, one in four installers (23 per cent) said that they are not aware of whether the building regulations apply to new builds.

A knowledge gap among respondents was identified by the survey. Polypipe said over a third of respondents (36 per cent) claimed to have read Part L of the Building Regulations yet didn’t understand how it will affect their work.

Conversely, 23 per cent of installers admitted that while they know that the regulations might affect them, they haven’t read the approved document.

Installers must familiarise themselves with the updated regulations or risk being fined, warned Dan Love, head of commercial at Polypipe Building Products. 

He said: “The updated regulations will undoubtedly have a major impact on all domestic heating installers no matter whether they work on new builds or existing homes, which is why it is critical for installers to familiarise themselves with the updates. Otherwise, they are putting themselves at risk of hefty fines and serious penalties.”