Future Homes Standard Essentials launched

[edit] New standard new campaign

On 4 March, 2026 the Future Homes Hub announced the launch of a new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards, calling on builders of all shapes and sizes to start their journey towards Future Homes Standard compliance.

Based on real-world experience, the ‘Future Homes Standard Essentials’ set out seven critical actions to help homebuilders and their advisors to de-risk the delivery of more sustainable homes that are comfortable, healthy, low-energy, zero carbon ready and aligned with the future energy system.

Future Homes Hub says the Future Homes Standard (FHS) represents a fundamental shift in home building, creating a clear performance distinction between new builds and the existing housing stock. Central to the FHS is the move away from fossil-fuel boilers to low carbon heating systems, often in the form of heat pumps where the lower temperatures require high levels of construction and heating system precision to deliver the required level of performance.

Get Future Homes Standard Ready "Homes built to the FHS will be comfortable, healthy, low-energy, and zero-carbon ready - without the need for expensive retrofit. However, the transition to FHS could carry real delivery and reputational risks if not carefully managed.A range of homebuilders are already successfully delivering homes that include low‑temperature heating and other FHS technologies, but others are only just beginning. The FHS Essentials set out seven key practical actions drawn from early adopters. Following these will help homebuilders deliver consistent performance, strengthen the customer experience and reduce risk. This is a moment of true transformation."

[edit] A step change for the sector

The Future Homes Standard represents a fundamental shift in how new homes are designed, built, commissioned and supported. Central to the FHS is the move away from fossil-fuel boilers to low carbon heating systems, often in the form of heat pumps where the lower temperatures require high levels of construction and heating system precision to deliver the required level of performance. The Future Homes Standard Essentials describes seven key actions to de-risk delivery:

Lead early, learn fast, share lessons Prioritise grid availability Own the customer journey Evolve your design Get heating design right Build as designed Commission with care

[edit] Partnering with the SME community

Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) homebuilders are considered vital to achieving the UK government’s target of 1.5 million new homes and are a primary focus for the campaign, which is releasing new guidance on topics including grid connections and the customer journey through to heating design and procurement.

The guidance includes:

• Grid connections for all-electric houses - hints and tips for SME homebuilders
• Heating system procurement - hints and tips for procuring heat pumps in low density homes
• Delivering homes with heat pumps - hints and tips for successful deployment
• Heat pumps - hints and tips for site managers
• Heat pump commissioning - hints and tips for homebuilders
• Selling a new low energy home - hints and tips for sales negotiators and estate agents

For more info see https://www.futurehomes.org.uk/future-homes-standard-ready

[edit] Comments

Ed Lockhart, CEO of the Future Homes Hub, said:

"The introduction of the Future Homes Standard is a transformational moment for the sector and for the residents of new homes. We know that some homebuilders have already started to build with the technologies and approaches that will be mandatory under the new Standard. But it’s only by working together and sharing information that we'll avoid the risks of the switchover and ensure new homes built to higher standards consistently perform better.”

Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of HPA UK and Chair of the Future Homes Hub Heat Pump Development Group said:

“Following the introduction of the 2021 Part L Building Regulations, there has been clear progress in reducing gas grid connections, with around 25% of UK new-build completions in 2025 installing a heat pump, up from 15% in 2024. The forthcoming Future Homes Standard will go further, effectively prohibiting new homes from connecting to the gas grid and driving a significant increase in heat pump adoption. Heat pumps are a proven, scalable, low-carbon alternative to fossil fuel boilers. However, their successful deployment requires sector-specific skills, careful design, and informed use. The FHH Essentials provide a timely and welcome intervention, helping homebuilders to de-risk delivery, optimise performance and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction at scale by drawing on lessons learnt from early adopters and pilot projects.”

Chair of the Future Homes Hub’s SME Liaison Group and Managing Director of Hampshire-based housebuilder Bargate, Mark White, said: "What's critical for us as a community of SMEs is to listen to the advice that's out there and gather information from the experts - whether that's organisations like the Future Homes Hub or from the suppliers and installers themselves. We've got to accept that this is a partnership. We're all on the journey together - and the end result will be beautiful homes for our customers.”

Usman Yaqub PCIAT, President of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, said:

"As experts in technical design and project management, Chartered Architectural Technologists know that even seemingly small changes can have significant impacts across an entire project, from building performance to delivery timelines and costs. That's why it is so important that professionals start preparing for the Future Homes Standard now. The FHS Essentials will help the whole sector get ready for these new requirements, so that we seize the opportunity of the Future Homes Standard to deliver the high-quality, healthy, and sustainable homes our communities need. Let's get #FHSReady."

This article is based on the Futurte Humes Hub news item "Get Future Homes Standard Ready: UK new homes sector unites on mission to deliver next generation of low energy homes", "Get Future Homes Standard Ready" as well as CIAT news item "Future Homes Standard Essentials launched" all dated 4 March 2026.

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