Preparing For The Future Homes Standard: What Homeowners Need To Know

If you’ve been keeping an eye on any housing or energy-related headlines, you’ll know that the Future Homes Standard is set to be implemented in 2025. And not only that, but it’s going to completely overhaul how homes in the UK are built and renovated.

With its focus on energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, there’s plenty to get excited about. However, if you’re a homeowner or are looking to own a home one day, it’s important to know what exactly these changes mean for you. 

In this guide,  we break down everything you need to know about preparing for the Future Homes Standard. 

What is the Future Homes Standard?

The Future Homes Standard is a government-led initiative which aims to significantly improve the energy efficiency of new homes in England. It’s all part of the UK’s broader strategy to meet net-zero targets by 2050.

It’s been under consultation for some time now, but the government has confirmed that the standard, along with the Future Buildings Standard, will be published in autumn of 2025.

What’s the aim of the Future Homes Standard?

Alongside the Future Buildings Standard, it will introduce major changes to building regulations, requiring new builds to produce 75 to 80% less carbon emissions compared to how homes are built currently.

There’ll be a focus on low-carbon heating systems, as well as better insulation and ventilation to make homes warmer, cheaper to run and more energy-efficient.

This means there’ll be no traditional gas boilers in new builds. Building materials and practices will also need to meet stricter sustainability requirements.

Overall, The Future Homes Standard is an exciting move toward more sustainable living for both homeowners and developers alike. The focus is on new builds for now, but it does also highlight how we’ll need to think about improving our homes’ efficiency in the future. 

Read on to find out how you can future-proof your home.

How will the Future Homes Standard impact new builds?

The Future Homes Standard will bring some large but positive changes to how new homes are built in England from 2025. Here’s how:

Gas boilers will no longer be installed in new homes

Instead of traditional gas boilers, new homes will need to use low-carbon alternatives like air source or ground source heat pumps. These systems are much more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, helping to reduce carbon emissions and keep energy bills lower over time.

Homes must meet higher standards for insulation and ventilation

Better insulation means homes will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Not only is that a win for temperature regulation, but it means less energy will be used overall. 

Improved ventilation also has the benefit of ensuring a steady flow of fresh air, which is ideal for preventing issues like mould and condensation. So, homes will be able to maintain a healthier environment without losing valuable heat. It’s a win-win.

Developers will need to use low-carbon heating solutions

To meet the new standard, developers will need to move away from traditional gas heating and choose cleaner, greener alternatives. These include systems like air and ground source heat pumps, solar thermal panels, and electric boilers that use renewable solutions. We’ll talk about those in more depth next.

What are the alternative heating options?

Once gas boilers are phased out in new homes under the Future Homes Standard, homeowners and developers will need to turn to low-carbon alternatives. 

Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from doing the same right now, even if your home is older. Especially if you're keen to live greener and reduce your carbon footprint. Here are three main options to consider:

1. Heat pumps

Heat pumps are currently the most common replacements for gas boilers. In simple terms, air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air (even in cold weather), while ground source heat pumps draw warmth from the earth. 

Both systems can provide heating and hot water with high efficiency. In fact, figures suggest that heat pumps can produce three to four units of heat for every one unit of electricity used.

It’s a pretty impressive difference, which means the energy used to heat your home will be far less than what a standard gas boiler uses.

2. Solar panels and solar thermal systems

Solar panels are a great way to generate your own electricity at home, using nothing but sunshine. There’s also solar thermal technology, which uses the sun’s energy to heat your water. While these systems often work best when paired with something like a heat pump, they can still make a big difference on their own. 

In fact, a well-sized solar thermal setup can provide around 60% of your home’s hot water needs over the course of a year. This will help you rely less on the grid and save on energy bills.

3. District heating systems

District heating systems aren’t that common in the UK right now, but their use is definitely growing. Looking to our European neighbours, over 60% of buildings in Denmark have district heating, while in cities like Copenhagen, it’s over 95%.

These systems send heat from one central, low-carbon source to several homes through insulated pipes. When run on renewable energy or waste heat, they can reduce carbon emissions by more than 50% compared to using separate gas boilers. So they’re especially useful in cities or larger housing developments.

What should homeowners do now?

While we wait for the Future Homes Standard to officially be published later this year, there are a few things you can do to stay one step ahead.

• If you're planning to buy a new build - Ask the developer how the home meets (or plans to meet) the Future Homes Standard. They should be able to provide details on heating systems, insulation, and energy performance.
• If you’re working on a self-build or renovation - Consider installing low-carbon heating like heat pumps and improving your insulation to meet upcoming efficiency standards. It’s an upfront investment, obviously, but it can save money in the long run.
• If you want to improve the efficiency of your current, older home – Explore available government grants and boiler upgrade schemes. They’re designed to help cover part of the cost of switching from a fossil fuel heating system to a low-carbon alternative.

A new frontier for new builds

The Future Homes Standard is a big step forward for homes across the UK, and knowing what’s coming now can save you from expensive surprises later. 

By choosing sustainable options today, you’re not just making your home cosier and more efficient, but you’re also doing your part to care for the planet.

Ultimately, although these systems are more efficient, they do cost more upfront. And it’s important to remember that traditional gas boilers aren’t being replaced entirely. 

If you’re not buying a new build, there are still plenty of modern gas boilers available that are much more energy-efficient than older models. At Swale Heating, our experts are on hand to discuss the best low-carbon options, so contact us today to find out more.