The long-awaited Future Homes Standard has been published today (24 March), setting out new energy efficiency requirements for low-carbon housing, but its implementation has been delayed until March 2028.
The standard, originally set to be launched last year, sets out guidance for all new build homes to include heat pumps or be connected to a heat network and solar panels from 2028.
The government said solar panels should cover the equivalent of 40% of the building’s ground floor space. It added that no new-build homes should be connected to a gas network from 2028.
In a bid to reduce carbon emission, the government has also announced plans to roll out ‘plug-in’ solar panels, which will be available to buy from retailers such as Lidl and Amazon, within the coming months.
Under the standard, homes built from 2028 will produce 75% less greenhouse gas emissions than those built according to existing 2013 standards.
The Future Homes Standard is part of government’s wider drive to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It said that housing currently produces around 30% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Ed Lockhart, chief executive of the Future Homes Hub, an independent, non-profit organisation that promotes sustainability in UK homebuilding, said: “The publication of the Future Homes Standard isn’t just about a change in regulation, it’s a promise to consumers that new homes will be more comfortable, efficient and secure against the volatility of unstable fossil fuel markets.
“Today’s announcement sets the timeline for all new homes to meet these higher standards from 2028. The Future Homes Hub is facilitating partnership across the whole housing ecosystem, including sharing solutions between homebuilders, housing associations and developers of all sizes to ensure residents feel the full benefits, starting with the Future Homes Standard Ready campaign.”
Energy secretary Ed Miliband added that the government was “determined to roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty”.
He 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.”
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.”
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