The Future Homes and Buildings Standards

Briefing for housing associations

Summary

In December 2023, the government launched a consultation to set out their plans for achieving the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard.

Through this consultation, the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities is seeking views from the sector on ambitious requirements for energy efficiency and heating in new homes and non-domestic buildings, to shape our response.

In this consultation, the government is seeking views on proposals to:

• Ensure the construction of new buildings aligns with the country’s net zero target, by focusing on improving heating, hot water systems, building fabrics, and reducing heat waste.
• Introduce low carbon alternatives, such as solar PV panels and heat pumps to replace current technologies. Select between two Domestic notional building options. Option 1 balances higher additional build costs against lower consumer bills. Option 2 offers lower additional build costs but be less beneficial in terms of consumer bills, although these would still be lower than bills in typical existing homes.
• Retain the current metrics used to measure varying efficiency rates.
• All space heating and hot water demand should be met through low-carbon sources.
• Uplift material change of use (MCU) standards to protect consumers from high bills and reduce emissions as far as practical.
• Change the way that mechanical ventilation systems are inspected.
• Enable new homes and non-domestic buildings to be connected to existing and new heat networks.
• Adopt the new Home Energy Model: Future Homes Standard assessment as the approved calculation methodology to demonstrate compliance of new homes with the Future Homes Standard, replacing SAP.
• Seek views regarding transitional arrangements. They provide two time frames options for laying the regulations and them coming into force.

Next steps

Download our briefing of this consultation, which runs until 6 March 2024. We we will be submitting a response to the consultation on behalf of the sector. To help shape our response, please send any feedback or questions to Marie Chadwick, Supply Policy Leader, by 20 February.