The UK Government has responded to the Future Homes and Buildings Standard consultation.
It has confirmed major changes for new-build homes and other buildings in England.
The Future Homes Standard will reshape how projects will work for:
From heat pumps and solar PV to SAP 10.3, and future Home Energy Model compliance, the trend is now clear.
New buildings must be ready for low-carbon heating and higher energy efficiency.
What Is the Future Homes Standard?
The Future Homes Standard is a legally-binding statutory requirement. It is part of the UK’s building regulations. It aims to ensure that new homes meet higher energy and carbon performance standards.
In practical terms, the majority of new homes, and other buildings, will need:
- Low-carbon heating
- Improved energy efficiency
- On-site renewable electricity generation.
Buildings will need to be future-ready from day one. They can no longer rely on fossil fuel heating systems that may need replacing later.
For project teams, this is a significant shift. Heat pumps, solar PV, and energy performance are no longer optional design considerations. They are now core elements of compliance.
When Does the Future Homes Standard Come Into Force?
The Government has confirmed the following timeline:
- 24 March 2027 marks the point at which the Future Homes and Buildings Standard comes into force
- A 12-month transition period will follow
- From 2028, the vast majority of applicable new homes and buildings will need to meet the new standard
For live schemes, pipeline developments, or early-stage planning, this leaves a short window.
They must assess which projects may fall under transitional arrangements. And which must meet the new requirements.
What Does the Future Homes Standard Mean for Heat Pumps?
Heat pumps are now the main low-carbon heating solution for new homes.
The Government has chosen Option 1 for the new dwelling notional building. This includes a heat pump in the notional specification.
The heat pump used in the SAP notional building is set with a coefficient of performance (COP). This is 2.5 across all dwellings.
There are also no changes to consultation proposals for heat pump performance standards.
We believe this gives the industry a clear signal on the future of heat pumps will play in compliance.
The announcement also provides clarity on the delivery of heat pump systems, including:
- Guidance on sizing heating systems
- Amended wording around heat pump distance requirements
- Stronger expectations around testing and commissioning
- Clearer competence standards for those carrying out installations
- Recognition that competent professionals should undertake heat pump installations
So, compliance will not rely on product selection alone. Correct design, installation and commissioning will be central to meeting the standard.
Will Solar PV BeNeeded on New Homes?
A major development is the need to install a renewable electricity generation system.
In practice, solar PV will become a standard consideration for most new buildings. However, there is flexibility within the guidance.
The regulation acknowledges where site conditions make a straightforward approach more difficult.
For developers, architects and consultants, solar can no longer be an afterthought. In all projects, the following will need to thought about:
- Roof design
- Orientation
- Shading
- Structural considerations
- Broader energy strategy.
What Do SAP 10.3 and the Home Energy Model Mean for Compliance?
The approved calculation methodology for compliance will at first be SAP 10.3.
The new Home Energy Model will likely become an approved methodology. It won’t be earlier than three months after the consultation response publish date. SAP 10.3 will remain live for at least 24 months once the statutory instrument is laid.
This dual-running period matters. It maintains some continuity whilst the industry prepares for a methodology shift.
And local weather won’t be used in calculating heat pump performance during this period.
So, there will be consistency between SAP 10.3 and the Home Energy Model while both frameworks are in use.
For teams working on compliance, the message is clear: SAP remains central in the short term. But the trends point towards a new model and new expectations.
What Else Has the Government Confirmed?
The latest announcement confirms several other important points:
- Existing metrics for setting performance requirements will remain
- A delivered energy metric used on a voluntary basis
- There are no changes to the consultation proposal on heat pump performance standards
- Proposals around operational and maintenance information for heat pumps will proceed
- There will be no changes to 2021 Approved Document on hot water cylinder insulation
- Updated guidance will support better system sizing and commissioning evidence
- The Home User Guide will include new information. It will cover heat pumps, hot water cylinders and thermal stores
- No changes to guidance for new dwellings with a floor area of 150m2 or more. They still need two separate controlled heating circuits
This is a broad package of change, but at IMS Heat Pumps, we think the common threads are clear:
- Stronger real-world performance
- Better information for end users
- A more robust approach to compliance.
What Does the Future Homes Standard Mean for Project Teams?
The Future Homes Standard is performance-based. This means there is flexibility in gaining compliance.
Even so, most projects are likely to follow a similar route. They will combine low-carbon heating, renewable electricity generation and improved building performance.
This has practical implications across the project lifecycle.
In short, design decisions will need to happen earlier. Heat pump selection affects plant space, system layouts and coordination with other services.
Solar PV needs to be part of the concept stage. And commissioning and evidence requirements need to be part of planning, not added after.
For developers, it means reviewing project pipelines now.
For architects and consultants, it means integrating compliance requirements into early-stage design.
For contractors & delivery teams, systems installs and commissions must be right first time.
The new standard is not only a technical update. It changes the planning and delivery of low-carbon buildings.
How IMS Heat Pumps Can Support Your Projects
At IMS Heat Pumps, we support developers, architects, builders, consultants and project teams. Our support includes:
- Early-stage input. We work with teams on feasibility, system selection, and integration from the outset. This reduces redesign risk and align schemes with Future Homes Standard requirements.
- Design and specification support. Heat pump sizing, system layouts, performance considerations ,and design coordination all matter. We help ensure solutions are both compliant and deliverable.
- Support through installation and delivery. We collaborate with contractors and site teams. This supports efficient installation and coordinated delivery across projects.
- Commissioning and compliance guidance. There’s increased emphasis on performance, evidence and correct commissioning. We help clients meet these requirements with confidence.
- Ongoing alignment with changing standards. The industry is moving from SAP 10.3 to the Home Energy Model. We stay aligned with the latest guidance so our clients can plan ahead.
How to Prepare for the Future Homes Standard
The Future Homes Standard coming into force from 2027.
So, it’s time to review future schemes. Project pipelines, design implications, heat pump and solar PV integration all matter.
Early planning will be key to avoiding delays and reducing redesign risk. And it will ensure new build projects are ready for compliance.
Speak to IMS Heat Pumps
If you want to discuss how this regulation will impact your projects, get in touch.
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