Future Homes Standard: The Complete Guide (Updated March 2026)

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is a landmark update to Parts L (conservation of fuel and power), F (ventilation) and the new Part 6 of the Building Regulations for England. The government published the regulations on 24 March 2026, with full compliance required for all new homes from 2028.

New homes must produce at least 75% less carbon emissions than those built to 2013 standards. The government estimates this will save families up to £830 per year on energy bills. This is the biggest change to building regulations in a generation - ending fossil fuel heating in new homes and mandating on-site renewable energy generation.

The published standard confirms the following requirements for new homes:

Solar panels: A new functional requirement in the Building Regulations mandates on-site renewable electricity generation on new homes (with some exceptions for high-rise buildings). The government anticipates the majority will be rooftop solar PV.

Low-carbon heating: Heat pumps or connections to heat networks as standard. Gas boilers will not meet the new carbon targets.

Higher fabric performance: Significantly tighter U-values for walls, floors, and roofs, with improved airtightness requirements.

Home Energy Model (HEM): A new, independently quality-assured calculation methodology replacing SAP. HEM supports innovation in new-build products, best-practice heat pump installation, and recognition of smart, zero-bills technologies.

Overheating risk: Continued compliance with Part O ensures homes balance energy efficiency with occupant comfort.

The regulations were laid on 24 March 2026, with full compliance required from 2028. During the transition period, plans submitted and approved before the compliance date can be built out under current Part L standards.

However, industry leaders strongly argue that building to old standards is a false economy. Over a million homes were built with higher bills after the previous government cancelled the Zero Carbon Homes standard in 2015 - leaving families exposed to the energy price spike after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Future Homes Hub has launched its 'Future Homes Standard Ready' campaign to help homebuilders, housing associations and developers of all sizes prepare.

While the FHS primarily targets operational carbon, the material implications are significant:

Insulation thickness increases, meaning more material per dwelling - making low-carbon insulation choices (cellulose, wood fibre, hemp) even more important.

MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery) becomes standard, adding embodied carbon from ductwork and equipment but essential for airtight homes.

Heat pump systems require different pipework and potentially underfloor heating for optimal low-temperature performance.

Solar PV panels add embodied carbon but pay back within 2-4 years of operation.

Higher-performance windows (triple glazing) have higher embodied carbon than double glazing, creating a tension between operational and embodied carbon that designers must navigate.

Whether you're a developer, architect, contractor, or manufacturer, the published standard means preparation is now urgent:

Upskill your team: Ensure your workforce understands heat pump installation, MVHR commissioning, solar PV integration, and airtightness testing.

Review your supply chain: Secure relationships with heat pump manufacturers, solar PV suppliers, high-performance window suppliers, and insulation providers. Over a quarter of new homes built in the UK in 2025 already had heat pumps.

Learn the Home Energy Model: HEM replaces SAP as the compliance methodology. Invest time now in understanding how it works and how it differs from SAP.

Update your cost models: FHS-compliant homes cost more to build, but the premium is reducing as the supply chain scales up.

Communicate with buyers: Educate homebuyers about the benefits - up to £830/year savings on energy bills, better comfort, protection from volatile fossil fuel prices.