Housebuilders will be required to install solar panels and heat pumps in all new homes in England from 2028, as the government sets out the long-awaited Future Homes Standard.
The FHS will come into effect in March 2027, but developers will be given a transition period to adapt to the new guidelines.
The changes mean that, from March 2028, no new homes will be connected to the gas network, which will see them produce 75% less greenhouse gas emissions than those built to the existing 2013 standard.
The government also announced that plug in solar panels will be available for homeowners to buy in the coming months, after previously being banned in the UK due to safety regulations.
Housing secretary, Steve Reed, said: “Building 1.5 million new homes also means building high-quality homes that are cheaper to run and warmer to live in.”
“As we make the switch to clean, homegrown energy, today’s standard is what the future of housing can and should look like. Not only will these changes protect hardworking families from shocks abroad but they will also slash hundreds of pounds off their energy bills every year.”
Energy secretary, Ed Miliband, said the government is taking decisive action to make the UK less reliant on global fossil fuel markets and is speeding up plans for more clean, homegrown energy that the country controls.
Miliband said: “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.”
“Whether through solar panels fitted as standard on new homes or making it possible for people to purchase plug-in solar in shops, we are determined to roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty.”
Under the new regulations, houses should be built with solar panels covering the equivalent of 40% of the ground-floor area of the building, although it is expected that there will be some exceptions depending on the design of buildings.
Neil Jefferson, CEO of the Home Builders Federation, commented: “The government has really pushed the number of solar panels that are required on rooftops right to the limit, we think 60% of homes can’t actually reach that standard.”
“Each home will have to be looked at individually. There are some challenges within the process [and] we don’t want bottlenecks.”
Ed Lockhart, chief executive of the Future Homes Hub, 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, more efficient, and more 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.”
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.”
Show House speaks to…Nigel Banks, Octopus Energy
Nick Houghton-Best, national head of new builds at Daikin UK, commented: “We welcome today’s announcement on the Future Homes Standard and the next evolution of Part L of the Building Standards.”
“It provides much-needed clarity and sends a strong signal to the industry that it must prioritise sustainable alternatives over polluting and inefficient fossil fuel boilers. It is clear that heat pumps have a central role in delivering on the Government’s housebuilding and net zero priorities.”
“When combined with solar panels, an air-to-water heat pump can create one of the most efficient home-energy systems available. Solar can generate much of the electricity used to power the system, further reducing bills and emissions. In some configurations, solar can offset nearly all of the electricity required for heating and hot water.”
“We’re committed to working closely with government and partners across the sector to help turn policy into practical, well-performing homes that people are genuinely comfortable living in.”
