The Future Homes Standard is a set of proposed changes to building regulations in England that aim to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions of new homes. It outlines new performance requirements for fabric efficiency, heating and hot water systems, and the overall carbon emissions of new residential buildings.

The Future Homes Standard is expected to come into effect in 2025. There have already been interim uplift changes to Part L of the Building Regulations in June 2022, which are stepping stones towards the full implementation of the Standard.

The primary goals of the Future Homes Standard are:

• To ensure all new homes produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes built under current regulations.

• To prepare the housing stock for a net-zero future by significantly improving energy efficiency.

• To reduce reliance on fossil fuel heating systems in new homes.

• To provide warmer, more comfortable, and cheaper-to-run homes for occupants.

The Standard will achieve its goals through:

• Improved Fabric Efficiency: New homes will be required to have higher levels of insulation, better windows, and reduced air leakage to minimise heat loss.

• Low-Carbon Heating Systems: Fossil fuel heating, such as gas boilers, will be largely replaced by low-carbon alternatives like air source heat pumps or other renewable heating technologies.

• Reduced Overheating Risk: Measures will be introduced to mitigate the risk of overheating in new, highly insulated homes.

• Performance-Based Targets: New homes will need to demonstrate significant reductions in their overall carbon footprint.

Developers and builders will need to:

• Integrate highly efficient building fabrics and components into their designs.

• Adopt low-carbon heating solutions as standard.

• Ensure their supply chains can provide the necessary materials and technologies.

• Train their workforce in the installation and commissioning of new systems and construction methods.

• Comply with new, more stringent performance metrics for energy efficiency and carbon emissions.

For homeowners and residents, the Future Homes Standard will mean:

• Lower Energy Bills: Homes will be much cheaper to heat due to their improved energy efficiency.

• Increased Comfort: Better insulation and heating systems will lead to more consistent internal temperatures and fewer cold spots.

• Reduced Carbon Footprint: Occupants will be living in homes with a significantly lower environmental impact.

• Future-Proofed Homes: Homes will be designed with long-term sustainability and net-zero targets in mind.

No, the Future Homes Standard applies specifically to new build homes. However, there are separate policies and initiatives in place, and more are expected, to encourage energy efficiency improvements in existing homes.