The Future Homes Standard: What It Means for Anyone Planning a New Build

What is the Future Homes Standard?

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is the government's updated framework for new residential construction in England. Its central aim is to dramatically reduce carbon emissions from new homes - targeting a 75 to 80 percent reduction compared to homes built under 2013 standards.

Put simply, the homes of tomorrow need to use significantly less energy, produce more of their own, and rely on low-carbon heating systems rather than gas boilers

What changes in practice?

There are three areas where the changes will be most felt on a residential new build.

Heating systems. Gas boilers will no longer be a viable primary heating solution in new homes built under the FHS. Heat pumps - which run on electricity and are far more efficient - are expected to become the standard. This is a meaningful shift for both builders and clients, and it requires early decisions about heating system design, floor layouts, insulation levels and how the building performs as a whole.

Solar PV. The new regulations introduce a requirement for on-site renewable electricity generation as standard - in most cases, this means solar panels. Roof orientation, pitch and layout all need to be considered from the design stage, not as an afterthought.

Fabric performance. The FHS takes a fabric-first approach, meaning the building itself needs to be highly efficient before you rely on technology to compensate. Minimum standards for wall, roof and floor insulation are tighter, and airtightness requirements are stricter. Better fabric means lower running costs, fewer draughts and a more comfortable home across every season.

When does this apply to me?

The regulations formally come into force in March 2027. However, there is a transitional arrangement: projects that have already submitted planning applications before that date may still be able to build to previous standards, provided they start on site before March 2028.

In practice, this means that if you are planning a new build and want to avoid the full FHS requirements, timing your application matters. And if your project is starting now or will complete under the new regime, it is better to plan for the new standards from day one rather than try to retrofit compliance later.

What this means for clients working with MPS

At MPS Building Ltd, we have been following the development of the Future Homes Standard closely. We work alongside architects and structural engineers from early in the design process, and that collaborative approach is going to become even more important as these regulations come into effect.

The good news is that the principles behind the FHS - high-quality insulation, better airtightness, thoughtful design - are already values we build to. A well-constructed home should perform well regardless of regulation. The new standard simply formalises that expectation across the industry.

If you are in the planning stages of a new build and want to understand how the FHS might affect your project, we are happy to talk it through.