The consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards closed on 6 March 2024, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed in its December 2023 announcement of energy efficiency funding1. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) also noted the 6 March closing date, describing proposals that would in effect outlaw gas boilers in new homes from 2025 onwards2. The National Insulation Association (NIA) recorded the same closing date in its submitted response3.
The consultation, published in December 2023, sought views on a further update to the energy efficiency requirements for new homes and buildings, covering Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations, plus a call for evidence on Part O (overheating)4. It also included proposals relating to work to existing buildings4. The government said the standards would ensure new homes and buildings are fit for the future, with energy-saving changes delivering carbon emissions at least 75% lower for all new homes compared with 2013 standards1.
Two options for the dwelling notional building were consulted on. The NIA preferred Option 1, stating that Option 2, as the government's own modelling shows, would leave residents exposed to higher annual energy bills than the 2021 uplift to Part L, and that it did not consider Option 2 a viable option3. Marley set out cost figures for the two options: Option 1, described as heat-pump and solar, has a capital cost increase of £6,200 per property but savings of £120 per year against current 2022 building regulations, while Option 2, heat-pump only, has a capital cost increase of £1,000 per property but an increase in energy costs of £580 per year5.
"The government consultation pretty much rules out hydrogen-ready boilers too, but there are a number of exciting developments with heat pumps, including new high temperature models that could unlock further potential in that market"
BESA said the standards, due to come into force next year, should be more focused on whole building solutions, and that hydrogen for heating buildings had only "limited feasibility" due to financial and technical difficulties2. The UK Green Building Council said the government's current draft standards would be insufficient to meet its own commitments, and called for in-use tests of how much energy homes will actually use rather than modelled estimates6.
Why it matters for households
The standards govern how much energy a new home is designed to use and how it is heated, so they shape running costs and the need for later work. The NIA argued that without significant energy demand reduction, residents with electrified heating would be exposed to high energy bills, citing an electricity to gas price ratio of 3.86 to 1 as of the January 2024 price cap level3. It also said higher insulation standards would allow a smaller, cheaper heat pump to be installed with lower operating costs3. Marley reported that in 2023 fuel poverty was expected to increase to 14.4 per cent in England, about 3.35 million households5. For a household, the choice between the options determines whether a new home comes with solar generation and a higher upfront price, or a lower upfront price and higher running costs5.
What happens next
The consultation closed on 6 March 20241. The government has not reported the outcome of the consultation in the material available. BESA said the standards were due to come into force next year, meaning 20252. The NIA said it would like to see an additional metric added to take into account the building's real-world fabric performance, based on mandatory post-occupancy testing3. UKGBC said it is engaging with the government on the standard6.
Sources6 cited
- Families, business and industry to get energy efficiency support - GOV.UK, gov.uk
- Make 2024 the year of retrofit, says BESA, thebesa.com
- The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation - National Insulation Association, nia-uk.org
- The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation response, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
- How a complete roof system can help tackle fuel poverty | Marley, marley.co.uk
- New Build Standards | Policy | UKGBC, ukgbc.org