The long-awaited new legislation comes into effect today alongside fresh legislation to boost “plug-in” solar
Today marks the detailing of the Future Homes Standard (FHS), intended to upgrade the sustainability of all future-built homes.
The standard was proposed following energy price spikes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the cancellation of the Zero Carbon Homes standard in 2015 that led to skyrocketing energy prices.
Homes will need to future-proof with the FHS
As per the Standard, building regulations will now require homes to be built (with few exceptions) to be built with on-site renewable energy generation, the majority of which are expected to be solar panels.
Homes will also be built using low-carbon heating methods such as heat networks and heat pumps, instead of the more traditional gas boiler system. This is intended to reduce both cost of construction and cost of heating and powering homes, cutting bills and protecting against future energy price spikes such as currently being seen by the Iran conflict.
The FHS has had previous updates, such as in June last year when it was updated to have solar panels as a standard feature by default, and removing the need for planning application to install a heat pump within a metre of the property, while providing £7,500 for heat pumps.
Energy secretary, Ed Miliband, said: “The government is determined to fight people’s corner in this crisis, which is why we have acted to prevent unfair practices like price gouging and provided immediate help for the most vulnerable facing spiralling heating oil prices.
“The Iran War has once again shown our drive for clean power is essential for our energy security so we can escape the grip of fossil fuel markets we don’t control.
“Whether through solar panels fitted as standard on new homes or making it possible for people to purchase plug-in solar in shops, we are determined to roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty.”
Nigel Banks, zero bills director at Octopus Energy, said: “We welcome the government’s Future Homes Standard as a huge step towards greener, cheaper living and a future less reliant on fossil fuels. Heat pumps and solar panels slash bills – so it makes sense to build them into new homes from day one. And with a battery added to the mix, some homes could even pay nothing at all for their home energy. ”
Future Homes Hub is supporting the transition
Earlier this month, the Future Homes Hub announced the launch of a campaign for the homebuilding sector to be better prepared for the implementation of the FHS, with the ‘Future Homes Standard Essentials.’
This has been lauded by many industry leaders, including Charlotte Lee, chief executive of HPA UK and chair of the Future Homes Hub Heat Pump Development Group, who said: “Following the introduction of the 2021 Part L Building Regulations, there has been clear progress in reducing gas grid connections, with around 25% of UK new-build completions in 2025 installing a heat pump, up from 15% in 2024. The forthcoming Future Homes Standard will go further, effectively prohibiting new homes from connecting to the gas grid and driving a significant increase in heat pump adoption.”
And Amanda Williams, head of sustainability at CIOB: “The new homes sector must deliver homes that are fit for the future, and I am optimistic the Future Homes Standard will provide the framework to ensure healthy, low energy, zero-carbon-ready becomes the industry standard. I welcome the campaign and new resources from the Future Homes Hub, which will ensure the industry is taking steps to be Future Homes Standard Ready.”
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