Future Homes Standard consultations

Note: The Home Energy Model, or HEM, is to be introduced in the UK to replace the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), which is currently used to demonstrate that new homes comply with Part L of the Building Regulations and to produce EPC's. HEM is still under development and is intended to be implemented alongside the Future Homes Standard in 2025, both have had a number of consultations running since 2021.

For more information see: Home Energy Model.

[edit] Current consultation

In December 2023 the government launched a consultation on the The Future Homes and Buildings Standards.The consultation concerns changes to Part 6, Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations for dwellings and non-domestic buildings, seeking evidence on Part O and is a continuation of a number of other previous related consultations. The most recent consultation closing on March 6, 2024, has highlighted some criticism of the ambitions behind the new standard, more information can be found in the article consortium issues urgent call for more ambitious Future Homes Standard. The consortium led by the Good Homes Alliance, Bioregional, and with support from UKGBC, LETI and a large number of company and individual signatories, included a draft letter to DLUHC and DESNZ to express their disappointment in the proposed Future Homes Standard. This acknowledges some of the positive measures proposed, but highlights immediate concerns that need to be addressed in the 2025 regulations.

[edit] Background

The Future Homes Standard was first announced in the government's spring statement in 2019, though with relatively little detail, though the general direction aims to be in line with all future homes being net zero ready from 2025.

In October 2019 the government launched a consultation on stronger building regulations to help pave the way for a Future Homes Standard.

The Future Homes Standard: 2019 Consultation on changes to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part F (Ventilation) of the Building Regulations for new dwellings.

Views were sought on how changes to building regulations can drive down the carbon footprint of homes built after 2025. This will include changes to the ventilation and efficiency requirements as well as the role of councils in getting the best energy standards from developers. Proposals involve technologies such as air source heat pumps and the latest generation of solar panels to help drive down the cost of keeping homes warm and tackle the threat of climate change. The Future Homes Standard will also see gas boilers and other fossil-fuel heating systems banned from new homes.

The government suggested that an average home built the Future Homes Standard will should 75-80% lower carbon emissions than one built to Approved Document L 2013. They proposed introducing a meaningful but achievable uplift to energy efficiency standards in 2020 as a stepping stone to the Future Homes Standard making new homes more energy efficient and future-proofing them in readiness for low-carbon heating systems.

The consultation was the first stage of a two-part process that will also cover the wider impacts of Part L for new homes, including changes to Part F (ventilation) and its associated Approved Document, airtightness and improving the as-built performance of constructed homes.

Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: "Building new homes isn’t just about bricks and mortar, I want to ensure everyone – including developers – do their bit to protect the environment and give the next generation beautiful, environmentally friendly homes that local communities can support. That’s why I am requiring carbon emissions are cut by up to 80% from 2025 for all new homes and have published a National Design Guide, setting out simply what we expect from new development."

[edit] Consultation response

In January 2021, the government published its response to the Future Homes Standard consultation.

The response includes plans to radically improve the energy performance of new homes, with all homes to be highly energy efficient, with low carbon heating and be zero carbon ready by 2025. These homes are expected to produce 75-80% lower carbon emissions compared to current levels.

To ensure industry is ready to meet the new standards by 2025, new homes will be expected to produce 31% lower carbon emissions from 2021.

Existing homes will also be subject to higher standards – with a significant improvement on the standard for extensions, making homes warmer and reducing bills. There will be a requirement for replacement, repairs and parts to be more energy efficient. This includes the replacement of windows and building services such as heat pumps, cooling systems, or fixed lighting.

The plans also include a new requirement for additional ventilation and indoor air quality monitoring in high-risk non-domestic buildings such as offices and gyms, reducing the risk of any potential infections being spread indoors. There will also be a new overheating mitigation requirement in the Building Regulations.

The government also announced a consultation on higher performance targets for non-domestic buildings which will mean they will be zero carbon ready by 2025.

Housing Minister Christopher Pincher said: “Improving the energy performance of buildings is vital to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and protecting the environment for future generations to come. The radical new standards announced today will not only improve energy efficiency of existing homes and other buildings, but will also ensure our new homes are fit for the future, by reducing emissions from new homes by at least 75%. This will help deliver greener homes and buildings, as well as reducing energy bills for hard-working families and businesses.”

Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rigorous-new-targets-for-green-building-revolution

A second consultation The Future Buildings Standard consultation was launched on 19 January 2021 building on the first consultation by setting out energy and ventilation standards for non-domestic buildings and existing homes and including proposals to mitigate against overheating in residential buildings. This included proposed changes to Part L (Conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations.

For more information see: Future Buildings Standard.

A second consultation A correction has been made to Annex B of the response on the reference value of PV used for houses in the notional building.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• BRE Group response to the Future Homes Standard consultation.
• BRE response to the green housing revolution.
• Building Beautiful Places plan.
• Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission interim report.
• Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.
• Changes to Building Regulations Part F.
• Getting zero carbon done.
• Future Buildings Standard.
• Future Buildings Standard shortcomings raised.
• Green Housing Revolution.
• Home design prospects under the Future Homes Standard.
• Home Energy Model.
• Hybrid heat pump electric panel heating.
• Is hydrogen the heating fuel of the future?
• National Design Guide.
• Pilot programme for National Model Design Code NMDC.
• The effects of subframe systems on the overall thermal performance of external rainscreen walls.
• Thermal bridging and the Future Homes Standard.

Comments

While the press release for the Future Homes Standard states that it "will see polluting fossil fuel heating systems such as gas boilers banned from new homes by 2025", the Climate Change Committee has stated that "the proposed Future Homes Standard can be interpreted in such a way that onsite renewables like solar PV could act as an ‘offset’ to continued fossil fuel use".