Last updated: October 2026
New homes in England are about to change. The government has confirmed that the Future Homes Standard comes into force on 24 March 2027, with a transition period. In practice, most new homes will be built with solar panels and low-carbon heating, such as a heat pump, instead of a gas boiler.
What does the Future Homes Standard require?
- Low-carbon heating. New homes will be designed to produce far less carbon than homes built to current regulations. Gas boilers won’t meet the standard, so heat pumps will become the default.
- Solar panels. Most new homes will need on-site renewable generation, which in practice means solar PV. The guideline is panels covering an area equal to around 40% of the home’s ground floor.
- Better fabric. Improved insulation and airtightness, so homes need less energy to heat in the first place.
A transition period applies, so homes already in the planning or building pipeline may still be completed under the old rules.
What does it mean if you’re self-building?
If you’re planning a self-build or custom build, the standard is likely to apply to your project, depending on when your building regulations application is made. Even if it doesn’t, building to it now makes sense:
- it’s far cheaper to design in a heat pump, underfloor heating and solar from the start than to retrofit later
- a future-proofed home is likely to be easier to sell
- you avoid installing a gas connection you’ll later want to remove
We work with self-builders from the design stage, with heat loss calculations, system design and drawings. See our energy systems for self-builders page, or come and see us at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon.
And if you’re buying a new build?
Ask the developer how the home is heated and whether it has solar panels. Homes built just before the standard takes effect may still have gas boilers. If you’re buying one, it’s worth knowing that existing homes can still get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant to switch to a heat pump later.
What about existing homes?
The Future Homes Standard applies to new buildings, not homes that are already built. But the direction is clear, and grants and 0% VAT make switching cheaper now than it may be in future.
Planning a new home or a major renovation? Contact us or call 01242 323923 and we’ll help you design a whole-home energy system from the start.