Future Homes Standard: industry reaction

March 24, 2026

Industry is sharing its thoughts on today’s publication of the long-awaited Future Homes Standard, which confirms that the majority of all new homes will have solar panels and low-carbon heating systems from 2028.

Read on for industry reaction from associations, manufacturers, energy providers, and more…

Gary Parker, Head of Technical at ECA, said:

“I’m delighted to see a fabric-first approach and energy efficiency mandated in new builds from next year. ECA is a strong advocate for the transition to net zero and the deployment of well-designed, professionally installed low-carbon technologies.

“However, support for decarbonisation must never come at the expense of electrical safety, fire safety, or public confidence in the built environment.

“‘Plug-in solar’ products are not fit for purpose within the UK’s safety-led electrical framework and should not be encouraged.”

Andrew Reakes, Acting CEO of the JIB, said:

“The Future Homes Standard is a significant and welcome step forward, but delivery will depend on a competent and qualified workforce. For electricians, this is about building on core qualifications through clear ‘Electrician Plus’ routes supporting upskilling in solar PV installation and maintenance, EV charging infrastructure and Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS).

“These pathways must align with Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) requirements and sector competence frameworks, ensuring that individuals working on these technologies are properly trained, assessed and recognised. This is how we ensure quality, safety and long-term confidence in low-carbon technologies.”

Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive, HPA UK, said:

“We are delighted to get confirmation that following a transition period, all new homes and buildings will benefit from low-carbon heating such as heat pumps and heat networks. Coupled with solar PV, heat pumps and connections to heat networks provide a future-proofed solution which will strengthen the UK’s energy security.

“Whilst the sector has been scaling up, with over a quarter of new homes built in the UK in 2025 having a heat pump, this clarity will unlock further investment into the supply chain, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs, and contribute to the UK’s wider economic growth.”

Luke Osborne, Technical Director of Electrical Safety First, said:

“Electrical Safety First welcomes the announcement of the Future Homes Standard, however, whilst we recognise the potential for plug-in solar panel systems to make renewable energy more accessible for millions, safety must come first. Recent investigations conducted by the charity have highlighted that, at present, plug-in solar systems supply power to household circuits in a way currently not permitted by regulations.”

“Whilst the risk remains low, without wiring regulation changes and under certain conditions, plug-in solar PV systems connected to standard household sockets can cause overheating or impair the operation of protective devices such as RCDs in a property. We are pleased to see the Government intends to address these issues and we believe new safety standards should be introduced rapidly, to ensure households can safely enjoy the benefits of plug-in solar. We look forward to working with the Government to address these issues in detail.

“With the introduction of any new technology comes the risk of substandard versions making their way onto the market through unscrupulous sellers, and we continue to call for online marketplaces to be better regulated, to prevent unsafe products being available to households now and in the future.”

Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC, commented:

“We welcome the Government’s announcement on the Future Homes Standard, which marks a potentially significant step towards meeting the UK’s net zero commitments. The announcement provides much needed clarity for households, industry, and installers.

“NICEIC-certified businesses continue to play a key role in the net zero transition, and those with the right training and expertise will be well positioned to deliver as demand for new low-carbon installations increases.

“For those considering expansion into renewables, the announcement should provide the reassurance needed to make the investment in training and upskilling.

“As attention shifts from policy design to delivery, it is clear successful implementation will rely on a highly skilled workforce. While significant progress has been made across the electrotechnical and wider built environment sectors, the skills gap remains a pressing challenge. Real and sustained progress will require a robust talent pipeline, supported by ongoing training and upskilling, to ensure professionals have the competence and capability needed to meet growing demand. Investing in people is an essential foundation of the transition and must remain a priority into the years ahead.

“We also note the Government’s move to enable households to purchase ‘plug-in solar’. As this technology becomes more accessible, electrical safety must remain the priority. Recent investigations by Electrical Safety First (ESF) highlight safety and regulatory challenges. We will work with ESF, industry experts and the Government to ensure these are addressed so consumers can adopt the technology with confidence.”

Yselkla Farmer, BEAMA CEO, said:

“The long-awaited publication of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards marks a critical step in moving new buildings away from fossil fuel heating and towards electrification. It’s a shift we strongly support and have long advocated for, enabling a range of low-carbon technologies to underpin a smarter, more flexible and decarbonised energy system. We hope that these decisions help to highlight the benefits of electrification to the public and boost demand for new housing at a challenging time for the construction sector.

“However, it will be essential that the modelling and specification approach supports this diversity in practice, supporting a range of electrified solutions which enable choice and flexibility within the market.

“We also welcome the move towards mechanical ventilation, which will play an important role in improving indoor air quality and overall building performance.

“As these changes take effect, we look forward to helping industry with clear guidance and support to ensure they are delivered effectively to support UK electrification and industrial growth.”

Dhara Vyas, Energy UK Chief Executive, said:

“The Future Homes Standard is a landmark moment for clean energy in Britain. New homes built under this standard will benefit from clean heating solutions and solar, protecting households from volatile gas prices and putting energy security within the home itself.

“Combined with higher fabric efficiency standards, these homes will be warmer and cheaper to run – offering real and tangible change in people’s homes.

“Critically, plans for rooftop solar with the possibility for households to export excess energy back to the grid mark a genuine shift in how people can engage with the energy transition, easily allowing them to save money from an increasingly flexible energy system.

“The Future Homes Standard gives businesses the long-term certainty they need to invest in manufacturing, scale up supply chains, and build the skilled workforce that will make the targets set in the Warm Homes Plan a reality.”

Chris Hewett, Chief Executive, Solar Energy UK, said:

“Expanding solar energy and battery storage is a rapid and inexpensive solution to the looming energy crisis – for cutting bills, for the economy and for our nation’s energy security. From the largest installations to the smallest domestic systems, every battery and panel counts towards weaning us off reliance on imported and polluting fossil fuels. That’s why ensuring that new homes and other buildings are built with solar and boosting retrofits is so vital, and so welcome.”

Dave Sowden, Chief Executive, Sustainable Energy Association (SEA), said:

“We are delighted to see the publication of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, which will provide much needed clarity for the low-carbon heating and energy efficiency sectors. Today’s news will mean that the UK’s future building stock will provide residents with warm, comfortable, efficient and cost-effective homes for decades to come.”

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said:

“This is a positive step towards building the high‑quality, energy‑efficient homes the country needs, and clarity on the future of new homes will be welcomed by small house builders. Clearer standards give builders the confidence to plan ahead, invest in new skills, and deliver warmer homes with lower running costs for families. Small, local builders will play a crucial role in making these ambitions a reality, and we welcome the Government setting out a clear pathway to get there.”

Garry Felgate, CEO of The MCS Foundation, said:

“The confirmation that the majority of all new homes in England will have solar panels and low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps is very good news – for energy security, for the UK’s progress toward a carbon-free future, and for the countless households that will benefit as a result.

“What matters now is implementation, and ensuring households have confidence in the technologies their new home will come with. So, it’s vital that house builders consider quality and consumer protection, by ensuring every installation is delivered by an MCS certified installer, to MCS standards.”

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.

“With more than 100,000 certified renewable installations on new builds last year, it’s clear housebuilders already recognise the role of MCS certification in underpinning consumer confidence, complementing Building Regulations, and going beyond minimum compliance to improve real-world energy efficiency outcomes. As volumes continue to rise – further stimulated by the Future Homes Standard – certification will be central to the delivery of small-scale renewable installations and the continued growth of the market.

“Certification ensures the focus isn’t just about compliance but ensuring quality outcomes and strong protections for house buyers, while allowing them to get the most out of their technology. MCS certification is often a requirement for consumers to be able to access competitively priced energy tariffs, alongside the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) which provides payment for excess generated energy that is exported back to the grid.

“The Future Homes Standard is also a significant opportunity for installation businesses, with a higher demand for competent, reputable installers to deliver a growing number of installations into new builds. As MCS continues to roll out its redeveloped installer Scheme – which puts consumer protection and quality at the heart of what we do – certified installers will play a key role in helping to build long-lasting consumer confidence in home-grown energy.”

Greg Jackson, Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy, said:

“People want to be free of these fossil fuel crises – since the conflict in the Middle East began, interest in solar has shot up 50%, heat pump and electric cars are also seeing surges. Every solar panel, heat pump and battery cuts bills and boosts Britain’s energy independence. And the Government’s latest steps can help cut the costs of electrification.

“With solar, many homes can produce and use their own electricity, and cut their bills further by selling the excess back to us. With heat pumps and electric cars, their own electricity can slash heating and driving bills – stuff you simply can’t do with gas and petrol.”

Chris O’Shea, CEO, Centrica, said:

“As the UK’s biggest installer of low‑carbon heating, we welcome today’s announcements, including the Future Homes Standard. It’s a chance to ensure new homes come ready for the full benefits of modern energy systems – where low‑carbon heating, solar and smart technology are designed to work together from the start and reduce energy consumption. Our army of engineers stand ready to continue to keep Britain’s homes warm.”

Josh Buckland, Strategy & Policy Director, EDF, said:

“Electrification is fundamental to future proofing the country with homegrown electricity putting Britain back in charge of its destiny and helping keeping bills low for all in the long term. This is why we welcome the Government’s Future Homes Standard and the decision that all new homes will have clean heating as standard. We are also pleased to see the focus on unlocking further investment in solar, offering customers a practical way to reduce both their bills and their impact on the environment.”

Ed Lockhart, Chief Executive of the Future Homes Hub, said:

“The publication of the Future Homes Standard isn’t just about a change in regulation – it’s a promise to consumers that new homes will be more comfortable, more efficient, and more secure against the volatility of unstable fossil fuel markets.

“Today’s announcement sets the timeline for all new homes to meet these higher standards from 2028. The Future Homes Hub is facilitating partnership across the whole housing ecosystem including sharing solutions between homebuilders, housing associations and developers of all sizes to ensure residents feel the full benefits, starting with the Future Homes Standard Ready campaign.”