Darren York, director of EPS Trenchless, discusses the Future Home Standards regulations and outlines effective strategies for companies to ensure they are well-prepared to meet these new requirements
The UK’s Future Homes Standard (FHS) is a government policy aimed at reshaping the construction industry to focus more on energy efficiency and carbon reduction in new home builds. Set to take effect in 2025, the FHS requires new homes to produce 75–80% fewer carbon emissions than those built under current standards, aligning with the nation’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Currently, English homes contribute around 8.1 million tonnes of CO2 per year, according to Heatable, and the FHS aims to address this by meeting environmental objectives. However, concerningly, recent research by Polypipe Building Products shows that nearly half of UK housebuilders are not yet prepared for FHS, and 61% anticipate substantial challenges in meeting its requirements. Despite these concerns, there are tangible and practical strategies the construction industry can adopt to meet FHS regulations.
Invest in training to use low-carbon technologies
Currently, there is a shortage of skilled workers who are knowledgeable of low-carbon technology. The UK construction industry has long relied on traditional gas boilers, but as the FHS phases out these systems, there is more of a focus on green technology. The government have particularly focused on installing heat pumps in new home builds. The government has set an ambitious target to install 600,000 heat pumps annually by 2028. As of August, the UK reached a milestone of 250,000 certified heat pump installations, with over 30,000 of those completed in just the first half of 2024.
To meet this demand, significant investments are needed to train and upskill the existing workforce. The government has responded by allocating £15m through the Home Decarbonisation Skills Training Fund, which supports over 16,000 training opportunities across energy-efficient and low-carbon heating. Additionally, the £5m Heat Training Grant aims to support approximately 10,000 new training opportunities in low-carbon heating until March 2025, while the Department for Education is investing £3.8bn in skill development programmes through 2025. These initiatives help create accessible, high-quality training programmes to facilitate a seamless transition to FHS-compliant practices in construction projects.
Use the Home Energy Model (HEM) for FHS compliance during planning
Planning and compliance in construction are important aspects of meeting FHS standards, and the Home Energy Model (HEM) has been introduced as a valuable tool in this area. HEM is a type of software designed to help housebuilders demonstrate that they are complying with the Future Home Standards by providing a comprehensive analysis of a building’s energy usage and carbon emissions. This system builds on the Standard Assessment Procedure by breaking down energy use into half-hourly intervals, allowing for more accurate and detailed assessments.
The government aims to make the HEM an integral part of the FHS framework, using it not only for compliance but also to provide Energy Performance Certificates and other regulatory benchmarks. HEM allows housebuilders to proactively identify and address potential areas where FHS compliance might be challenging, ensuring that new homes meet the highest energy efficiency standards right from the planning phase.
Adopt trenchless technology to reduce CO2 emissions during construction
The construction phase itself contributes significantly to a building’s carbon footprint. According to British physicist David MacKay, building a single home can produce around 16 tons of carbon dioxide. But trenchless technology, used for installing pipes, cables, and other underground infrastructure, can minimise environmental disruption and reduce emissions that result from conventional digging practices. By opting for trenchless methods, construction projects can significantly decrease their carbon output, aligning more closely with FHS objectives.
Trenchless technology not only speeds up construction timelines but also contributes to sustainability by reducing the energy-intensive processes involved in traditional excavation. By incorporating trenchless technology into construction projects, the industry can become more FHS-compliant by reducing overall emissions during construction and contributing to a smaller carbon footprint from start to finish.
Consider modular and off-site construction for building sustainable homes
Modular construction has gained traction over the past couple of years. In 2022 alone, the UK saw a 20% increase in modular home construction, with 3,300 modular homes built. It is a more sustainable and efficient method for building, which can help builders meet the Future Home Standards. Modular and off-site construction allows for prefabrication in controlled environments, significantly reducing waste, pollution, and energy consumption. In fact, according to the Modular Building Institute, this approach to construction can cut waste by up to 90% and reduce energy usage during the construction phase by up to 67%.
The carbon savings associated with modular construction stem from the reduced reliance on heavy machinery and on-site transportation, which both contribute to CO2 emissions during projects. For example, instead of transporting numerous materials and using heavy-duty equipment directly at the building site, modular construction allows components to be fabricated in one location, limiting emissions generated by transportation and equipment usage. As of 2023, 16% of new-build projects have utilised modular methods. This trend should be adopted more by the sector going into 2025 to help meet the FHS regulations.
Call on the Government for greater investment in construction projects
Ultimately, meeting FHS standards will require strong collaboration between the construction industry and the government. Housebuilders are currently calling for additional support to ease the transition through financial incentives, subsidies, and improved access to low-carbon technologies. The new Labour government’s commitment to sustainability has meant that they have sharpened their focus on sustainable construction, emphasising ambitious carbon reduction targets and energy-efficient building practices.
One pledge by the government is to build 300,000 eco-friendly homes annually, all designed to be low-carbon and more energy-efficient. The National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline outlines a budget of up to £775bn over the next decade and includes an additional £215bn from 2025 to 2033. The large investment is an encouraging shift towards sustainable infrastructure, but further governmental backing, such as targeted grants for FHS-compliant materials and subsidies for renewable technologies, could make for an easier transition for the sector to make FHS-compliant builds.
Meeting the FHS regulations: Is it possible?
The Future Homes Standard represents a significant shift for the UK construction industry, with the ultimate aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the effects of climate change. Despite over half of housebuilders believing FHS regulations may hinder the delivery of new homes, it is set to be implemented next year. To prepare, the industry must invest in training workers on low-carbon technologies, such as heat pumps; utilise tools like the Home Energy Model to ensure compliance from the planning stage; and embrace new construction practices that can minimise environmental impact.
Equally important is the role of government in supporting this transition through increased investment and incentives. Though the path to FHS compliance might seem overwhelming to the construction sector as a whole, a collective effort by the government and industry can ensure that the future homes built in the UK are sustainable, accessible and affordable.
