…..the FUTURE?….. The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is on its way, due to be implemented this year. What does it mean to developers? FHS will ban gas boilers in most new homes. To be replaced with low-carbon heating systems eg heat pumps. FHS will require improved insulation and air tightness, and solar PV integration. SAP will be replaced with Home Energy Model (HEM) to calculate energy efficiency and environmental impact. Undoubtedly we will see higher build costs. It is questionable if there will be enough trained installers for heat pumps and MVHR systems. Likewise will there be enough fully trained HEM assessors? What are we doing about it? Until the final technicals are published and any transitions details known it’s difficult for us to plan. We currently have 2 projects getting close to build out, 40 homes in the South West and 50 homes in the Midlands. With expensive detailed design works being carried out for upcoming Reserved Matters applications will we see hard deadlines that mean we have to go back to the drawing board? We are working with what we know and concentrating on performance design. Fabric first, low carbon heating and renewables. Discussions with manufactures and suppliers of MHVR, heat pumps, triple glazing etc are underway. As are discussions around pre-fab, panelised construction methods and systems. We are getting ready, are you?

Posted by Richard Little at 2025-05-31 10:55:56 UTC