All eyes on heat pumps and solar as Government publishes Future Homes consultation response

The Government response to the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation has been published and confirms that, with implementation starting from March 2027, the standards will aim to ensure new homes and non-domestic buildings are future-proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency.

The Future Homes Standard will ensure new homes emit, on average, at least 75% less carbon than 2013 standards homes, and will see solar panels installed in the majority of new homes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and strengthening energy security.

The 12 month transition period will allow building under previous standards only for projects with applications submitted before the implementation of the Future Homes Standard.

The installation of solar panels on homes will be equivalent to 40 per cent of each dwelling’s ground-floor area, though there will be exemptions for buildings over 18m in height, as well as sites where a 720kWh/year output cannot be achieved. Low-carbon heating will be mandatory with heat pumps expected to become the default solution for most new dwellings.

The full Government response and supporting materials, including the new statutory guidance, is available here: The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation - GOV.UK