The Future Homes Standard has now been published, marking one of the most significant shifts for the housebuilding industry. While the changes are not expected to come into force until 2028, early industry reaction has been cautiously positive, with many welcoming the policy’s trajectory but questioning whether certain aspects could place additional strain on an already fragile sector.
Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said: “MCS welcomes the Future Homes Standard and the government’s commitment to the small-scale renewable energy industry and net-zero by ensuring solar panels and low-carbon heating systems will be installed on the majority of new homes in England from 2028. It builds on the strong momentum for small-scale renewables, which saw record numbers of certified installations for solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps in 2025.”
Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said: “The Future Homes and Buildings Standards are vital yet ambitious, aiming to deliver energy-secure, lower-carbon buildings that can generate value for occupants and owners, without undermining developer viability.
“Achieving this balance will be challenging. Larger developers may be better placed to absorb additional capital costs through economies of scale, but for SMEs, managing these requirements may prove more difficult, particularly in a housing market sensitive to changing economic conditions and consumer demand.
“Flexibilities, such as solar exemptions for higher-risk buildings, may provide some relief, but protecting business margins will require coordinated action to ease cost pressures across the supply chain.”
Ben Perris, director for indoor climate solutions at Wavin, comments: “Today marks a transformational milestone for the UK built environment as the government officially confirms the long‑awaited Future Homes Standard (FHS), finally providing the clarity our sector has been waiting for. Today’s commitments are absolutely the right signal, confirming what the sector already knows – that low‑carbon heating is the future.
“Our challenge now is to make sure this standard works efficiently in practice, as well as in principle. Heat pumps, for example, can only deliver their full potential when supported by the right complementary systems. We need to go further and implement solutions that support whole‑life performance – from low‑temperature underfloor heating to mechanical ventilation. These elements will support the delivery of homes that are comfortable, efficient and genuinely future‑proof.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era for UK homebuilding, with the Standard defining the direction when it comes to cleaner, smarter and energy-efficient homes. Delivering against this will now require industry‑wide collaboration, innovation and ambition. Now is the time to accelerate towards this common goal, not pause.”
Ben Rowlands, NFRC head of solar PV, said: “The direction of travel is right, and we want solar to succeed. But rooftop solar is a roofing system decision as much as an electrical one, and the current accreditation framework does not reflect that. Industry is still working through where responsibilities between trades begin and end, and consumers are bearing the risk in the meantime.”
“The more solar we put into the built environment, the more important it becomes to get the basics right. Solar-related fires are already rising at roughly twice the rate of installations. We cannot keep scaling deployment and hope the safety framework catches up. This not only risks homeowner safety, but also the future of the industry.”
Neal Herbert, managing director for GTC, says: “GTC welcomes the publication of the UK Government’s Future Homes Standard, which sets a clear direction of travel towards low-carbon heating and signals the end of fossil fuel heating in new homes.”
Jeff House, director of external affairs & policy at Baxi, said the following: “After many years of workshops, consultations and industry debate the long-awaited standards are finally here.
“Effectively new dwellings and non-domestic buildings will be required to adopt low carbon heating technology to comply. Functional changes will be enacted through Building Regulations with new versions of Approved Documents L and F published today, although owing to transitional arrangements March 2028 will be the pivotal moment where change really happens in practice.”
Nick Houghton-Best, national head of new builds at Daikin UK comments: “We welcome today’s announcement on the Future Homes Standard and the next evolution of Part L of the Building Standards.
“It provides much-needed clarity and sends a strong signal to the industry that it must prioritise sustainable alternatives over polluting and inefficient fossil fuel boilers. It is clear that heat pumps have a central role in delivering on the Government’s housebuilding and net zero priorities.”