The Future Homes Standard: Nine things you need to know

Update: The Future Homes Standard was published a week after this article went live, to come into force on 24 March 2027. For information about the Future Homes Standard, read the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s circular letter or the latest edition of Building Regulations Approved Document L.

Among the hot topics being keenly discussed at our BEYOND ’26 LIVE conference was the Future Homes Standard.

That’s perhaps unsurprising, given it’s been something of a slow burner since the idea was first announced in the 2019 Spring Statement by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government.

But with progress picking up pace and updates looming on the horizon, delegates at the Coventry Building Society Arena listened with interest as Stuart Fairlie, Managing Director at Elmhurst Energy, shared the latest insights around the Future Homes Standard.

Whether you were in that crowd or not, here’s the key info…

1. It’s already been making an impact

While the industry awaited the Future Homes Standard, Part L of the Building Regulations was updated in 2022 in the interim.

This introduced new requirements designed to lower the carbon emissions produced by new homes – and led to many developers making significant changes to the designs of their sites.

As Stuart explained, the main two routes available for heating new homes since Part L was updated have been using a mains gas boiler with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels or using a heat pump without PV.

And while around 25% of new homes are currently being constructed with heat pumps, he noted transitional agreements – which allowed projects with initial notices submitted before June 2022 to proceed under the old regulations – meant it took until the middle of 2025 for the majority of new homes to follow the latest rules.

2. The Standard is published tomorrow

After Stuart’s talk at BEYOND ’26 LIVE, and years of unclear timescales, the Government has announced that the Future Homes Standard will be published on Tuesday 24 March.

Media coverage this week indicates that it will require most newly built homes to be equipped with solar panels and heat pumps – but that those requirements will be delayed to apply only from March 2028.

Stuart’s advice? Stay tuned for all the upcoming announcements – the consultation response, full specification and a Statutory Instrument are all coming soon…

3. An update to the SAP

A new version of the Standard Assessment Procedure is imminent.

The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the methodology used to estimate energy performance, generate EPCs and, crucially, demonstrate new homes comply with Part L of the Building Regulations.

But Stuart reminded delegates that in 2025, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced that it would be developing SAP 10.3 – a revised version that can assess compliance with the upcoming Future Homes Standard.

However, he explained that the changes from SAP 10.2 were minor, relating to a new notional dwelling used to set compliance targets for the FHS and new carbon and primary energy factors for fuels.

4. But HEM is delayed

The SAP’s days are numbered, though.

A completely new methodology called the Home Energy Model, based on international standards and using half-hourly rather than monthly calculation timestamps, is in development to replace it.

Stuart noted that the rollout of the HEM has been delayed to ensure its quality, with the Government revealing in February that it will follow at least three months on from the go-live of the FHS. 

5. Once HEM is here, you’ll have flexibility

When the new methodology is released, developers will be able to use either SAP 10.3 or the HEM for a “limited” time in order to ensure a smooth transition.

Stuart’s company, Elmhurst Energy, has welcomed the option to use SAP 10.3 to demonstrate compliance, noting that it will “allow homes to be assessed using a methodology that is robust and well established in the industry until the Home Energy Model is complete” and “ultimately deliver homes more quickly against the Future Homes Standard”.

6. EPC reform on the way too

In his talk, Stuart referenced the upcoming reforms to Energy Performance Certificates for England and Wales that were, at the time of BEYOND ’26 LIVE, due to take effect in October.

He talked through the proposed four key metrics that new EPCs would focus on: energy cost, fabric performance, heating systems and smart readiness.

But soon after the conference, the Government delayed the reforms – which will now come in the second half of 2027.

7. There’s a new campaign

Also in the aftermath of the event, the Future Homes Hub launched a campaign designed to help the house-building sector prepare for the Future Homes Standard.

Future Homes Standard Ready outlines seven essentials that builders should take in the run-up to the Standard’s launch and also provides links to further related guidance.

8. The changes seem to reflect consumer mood

As we look ahead to the full release of the FHS, interesting new research has revealed that solar PV panels – a key technology expected to be covered in the associated Building Regulations changes – are in high demand.

A survey conducted by E.ON UK found that 75% of people in Britain would rather buy a newly built house with solar panels than one without, while some 68% want to see them on all new houses.

9. You can meet the future of low-carbon homes

We’ve teamed up with the Future Homes Hub, Homes England and Barclays to create the Future Homes Pavilion – a space for leading speakers from industry and government to share unique insights.

The Future Homes Pavilion will be at UKREiiF, the UK’s forum for real estate investment and infrastructure, in Leeds from 19 to 21 May.

Places inside the Pavilion will be limited, meaning this is an exclusive opportunity to connect with some of the most influential people in low-carbon home building and hear more about what the new Future Homes Standard means for you.