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The new standards set the trajectory for zero‑carbon‑ready homes, designed to operate efficiently as the UK electricity grid continues to decarbonise. Future homes will be cheaper to run, use low‑carbon heating, and deliver improved levels of energy efficiency through tighter design requirements.

Our team is already reviewing the full technical documentation, and we’ll soon begin modelling compliance using the new SAP 10.3 methodology. While we dig into the detail, here are answers to the questions we’re being asked most frequently.

#1: When does the Future Homes Standard apply?

The new Part L comes into force for most new developments in England where building control submissions are made from 24 March 2027.

Submit before this date, and current regulations apply - but only for 12 months. From 24 March 2028, any un-started homes must be redesigned to meet the new FHS requirements. High‑risk buildings (including high‑rise residential) have an additional six‑month transition and must comply from 24 September 2027.

#2: Will all new homes require solar PV?

In most cases, yes. Future homes are expected to generate their own electricity. As a default requirement, new residential buildings should install solar PV covering the equivalent of 40% of the ground floor area.

However, if the roof design cannot realistically accommodate this, a smaller array may be accepted with justification. Buildings over 18m (typically 6 storeys or more) are not required to install PV, though developers may still choose to include it.

#3: Are heat pumps mandatory?

Technically no, but in practice heat pumps will be the most viable heating option for the majority of developments.

The new Part L prohibits heating fuels that produce higher carbon emissions than electricity, effectively ruling out gas and oil boilers.

Electric alternatives such as panel heaters paired with a hot water heat pump, may work in ultra‑efficient buildings, but compliance will need to be demonstrated through full SAP 10.3 modelling. A well‑sized heat pump meeting all heating and hot water demands is expected to comply without issue.

#4: Will wall thicknesses need to increase?

Not necessarily. The backstop U‑values remain unchanged, so thicker wall cavities are not required by default. However, the notional specification,  which determines SAP performance benchmarks, has been tightened: Air‑tightness needs to be improved - from 5 to 4 m³/m²/hr. Also, a decentralised extract ventilation system is now assumed. These changes make the Target Fabric Energy Efficiency (TFEE) slightly tougher to meet.

Designers using 100mm wall cavities may need to compensate through other measures such as triple glazing or enhanced airtightness.

All specifications will need checking against HEM once available to ensure that compliance can be maintained with the more complex methodology.

#5: Is Waste Water Heat Recovery (WWHRS) now required?

No. WWHRS forms part of the notional specification but is not mandatory. Its benefits can be replicated through other enhancements such as a higher‑efficiency heat pump or increased PV provision.

#6: Is Block Compliance still permitted?

Partially. The Block Compliance approach (averaging SAP results across a building) will continue to be allowed for apartment blocks. It will no longer be permitted for terrace housing, where each individual home must now meet the compliance targets independently.

#7: What about non‑domestic buildings?

The FHS introduces the same principles to non‑residential schemes: PV covering the equivalent of 40% of the ground floor area; heat‑pump‑based heating systems as the expected default.

#8: Does my current specification comply?

We will begin testing specifications as soon as we have fully reviewed the updated Part L and the new SAP 10.3 methodology.

There are now two compliance routes under the Future Homes Standard:

 1.      SAP 10.3

2.     Home Energy Model (HEM)

The launch of HEM has been delayed until the summer, so initial modelling will have to be completed using SAP10.3. In due course, the use of SAP will be phased out, meaning all new developments must be modelled using HEM.

 So, what does this all mean for the industry? There is a great deal to absorb in today’s announcement but broadly speaking, the final Future Homes Standard aligns with expectations. Heat pumps, PV, improved fabric and a shift towards zero‑carbon‑ready design have long been signposted, and today’s publication confirms that direction of travel.

What changes now is the urgency. With clear timelines, defined specifications and a confirmed compliance methodology, the industry moves from anticipation to implementation. Design teams, developers and manufacturers will need to start recalibrating specifications, updating workflows and preparing projects for the new modelling requirements.

In short: the picture is clearer, the expectations are set, and now the real work begins.