The Future Homes Hub caught up with David Adams, Strategic Advisor for the Hub, to hear about the latest Government update on the Future Homes Standard consultation.

Great to see the details of the proposed Future Homes Standard just published. At nearly a dozen main documents, if you are really keen, I guess that novel at Christmas won’t now get read! 

So, what are the initial take-aways? 

For those that were involved with, or have read the Ready for Zero report, the easiest way to describe the ambition the Government are consulting on is either Contender Specification 2 (CS2) (Option 1 in the consultation) or CS1 (Option 2 in the consultation). Government haven’t stated which they prefer. 

The way the target performance for a particular home is calculated has not changed, it uses the ‘notional’ specification approach. The Governments Option 1 is broadly an existing (2021) notional home but with the boiler replaced with a heat pump. Option 2 is the same but without PV and without Waste Water Heat recovery. Of course, this notional building just defines the target level – it does not mean you must use this combination of technologies and specifications. Without modelling in the ‘Home Energy Model’ (HEM), the new name for SAP, it is impossible to know which combination of other technologies will also comply. Homes connected to new communal and district heat networks have a different services specification within the notional building.

The introduction of the HEM is significant. HEM is not just an updated version of the energy compliance model we are currently using, SAP10, but a completely new modelling tool. To more accurately calculate the energy use, allow the assessment of peak load and model smart technologies, HEM breaks the year into half-hourly chunks, rather than monthly under current SAP. As we know from the past, the devil is in the detail. HEM is a separate consultation and there is a consultation version of HEM available to test some house types and feedback. It should be noted that the user interface is basic and not reflective of the expected final version in 2025.

The compliance metrics for Part L remain the same as 2021, the dwelling and target: emission rate, primary energy rate and fabric energy efficiency rate still feature. One difference, however, is the proposal to use ‘local’ weather for compliance – rather than a national weather assumption used currently. This change will have implications that need to be explored.

In Part F, the ventilation Approved Document there is a proposed competent person scheme requirement, as well as additional commissioning checks of mechanical systems. 

Having been introduced in December 2021, evidence is requested about Part O to help identify areas which might be prioritised for review. 

Other areas where feedback is requested include the performance testing of new homes and the potential of a Future Homes Standard ‘Brand’. Input received would inform the development of firm proposals which would be consulted on in 2024 ahead of implementation in 2026.

There is recognition that there may be exceptional circumstances where the standards proposed cannot reasonably be applied - past experience has shown flats over garages can struggle and may be an example. It is proposed for the local authority or the Building Safety Regulator to decide if relaxation is appropriate.

Either a 6 or 12 month period is proposed between the laying down of the legislation and the date it comes into force with a 12 month transitional period, as used for Part L 2021. What isn’t clear is what date the legislation is likely to be laid down – maybe I missed it. The new definition of ‘commencement’ is being adopted and the regulations proposed to apply to all new homes including those that were exempted from the 2021 standards. 

By the looks of it, our Ready for Zero report, which many of you contributed to, has helpfully informed this consultation.

The clock on the consultation period of 90 days has started ticking. A good place to start to understand the proposals would be to attend our FHS2025 Q&A session on Monday 18th December. The Future Homes Hub will give an overview and then the floor will be open for initial observations and questions, with DLUHC officials in attendance.

Sign up to the free webinar here.

The FHS Q&A is only the start, over the coming weeks the Hub will be working with housebuilders and others in the sector to understand and help communicate the implications of these changes. With a total of about 40 documents, if you include all the HEM technical documents, this will be very much a collaborative approach.

We welcome your input and views and will do our best to share the collective insights gained. We encourage everyone to respond to the consultation.