Future Homes Standard: new homes to be built with solar panels and heat pumps

The Government has today published the details of its long-awaited Future Homes Standard, which includes measures to ensure that, from 2028, new homes are built cheaper to run, with solar panels and clean heating as standard.

The Future Homes Standard will introduce a functional requirement to the Building Regulations that new homes, with some exceptions (including high-rise buildings), are built with on-site renewable electricity generation. The Government anticipates the majority of this will be solar panels. The standard will also see homes built with low-carbon heating such as heat pumps and heat networks.

These measures on new homes could save families up to £830 a year on their energy bills, compared to a standard home with an EPC rating of C. This will ensure they are more comfortable and affordable – and create at least 75% less carbon emissions than those built to the 2013 standards.

The Government says the standard turns the page on over a decade of failure by previous governments. More than a million homes were built with higher bills following the cancellation of the Zero Carbon Homes standard in 2015, leaving families exposed to the energy price spike after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Today’s announcement will put energy in the hands of the British people and help cut bills for good, protecting against fossil fuel price spikes like those triggered by the conflict in Iran.

The Government also today announced it is driving forward with the rollout of plug-in solar panels (low-cost panels that families can put on their balconies or outdoor space) to be available in shops within months and save people money on their bills.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

“The Iran war has once again shown our drive for clean power is essential for our energy security so we can escape the grip of fossil fuel markets we don’t control. Whether through solar panels fitted as standard on new homes or making it possible for people to purchase plug-in solar in shops, we are determined to roll out clean power so we can give our country energy sovereignty.”

Housing Secretary Steve Reed added:

“Building 1.5 million new homes also means building high-quality homes that are cheaper to run and warmer to live in. As we make the switch to clean, homegrown energy, today’s standard is what the future of housing can and should look like. Not only will these changes protect hardworking families from shocks abroad but will also slash hundreds of pounds off their energy bills every year.”

The Government has also launched a call for evidence on the next steps for the £5 billion Warm Homes Fund, as part of the rollout of the £15 billion Warm Homes Plan. The fund includes £1.7 billion already allocated to consumer loans for clean energy technology, supported by £300 million capital investment. As set out in the Warm Homes Plan, the remaining £3.3 billion will be available as innovative finance for investments and loans in the building upgrade and retrofit sector, including £600 million to be allocated to support low-income homes. The Government is engaging with the industry on the options for this investment and further details will be published later this year.

gov.uk

Read industry reaction here.