The Future Homes Standard (FHS) due to be introduced in 2025 arguably presents the biggest set of challenges for housebuilders on building performance in decades.
Builders will be required to produce ‘net-zero ready’ homes with energy efficiency levels 75-80% that of 2013 Building Regs, so that once the electricity grid is fully decarbonised, they will not require further upgrades in order to qualify as ‘net zero’ carbon for the 2050 deadline. Despite the positives for the environment, climate resilience and for improving the industry’s reputation for quality, futureproofed builds, construction is already challenged by a range of issues from the interim uplifts to Parts L and F and the new Part O. What challenges will the new FHS regime bring?
Some believe that the Future Homes Standard, in maintaining U-value requirements from Part L for example, has not gone far enough to ‘push the envelope.’ Others say that there are major challenges within the new standard, such as assumptions in the new Home Energy Model (replacing SAP), changes to floor space from extra insulation, and issues around PV, heat pumps and skills needed to uplift the efficiency of new homes generally. And the overall challenge of the inevitable increased cost of building, whether Option 1 or 2 of the standard is adopted, will make life harder for all housebuilders.
We are bringing key voices in the industry together next May in London, allowing housebuilders, product manufacturers and other stakeholders to share their views on implementation of the Standard, as it comes into force in 2025. The debate will be informed by Housebuilder & Developer magazine’s recent audience survey on how the industry is addressing the FHS, in order to further tie the discussion to real-world experience and solutions. The knowledge sharing from the round table will produce invaluable insights for the industry going forward, as the bar is raised higher than ever for new homes’ construction and performance.
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TopicsFuture Home Standard Net Zero