Executive Summary

• The UK government has laid down the regulations and published details of the Future Homes Standard, which requires homes built from 2028 to produce 75% less emissions through the likes of heat pumps and solar panels
• The government is also moving forward on introducing ‘plug-in’ solar panels through working with retailers including Lidl and Amazon
• The MCS Foundation, which certifies installers of low carbon heating systems, welcomed the news and said that ‘what matters now is implementation’ and ensuring households have confidence in these technologies

The UK government has published details of its Future Homes Standard, which will ensure heat pumps and solar panels are installed in all new homes in England.

The standard, described as ‘common-sense’ by the government, mandates that homes built from 2028 are to produce 75% less greenhouse gas emissions across their lifespan. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the Iran War has ‘once again shown our drive for clean power is essential for our energy security so we can escape the grip of fossil fuel markets we don’t control.’

The MCS Foundation, which certifies installers of low carbon heating systems, has welcomed the move. “The confirmation that the vast majority of new homes in England will have solar panels and low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps is very good news – for energy security, for the UK’s progress towards a carbon-free future, and for the countless households that will benefit as a result,” said CEO Garry Felgate.

“What matters now is implementation, and ensuring households have confidence in the technologies their new home will come with,” added Felgate. “So, it’s vital that housebuilders consider quality and consumer protection, by ensuring every installation is delivered by an MCS-certified installer, to MCS standards.”

The Future Homes Hub has also given a thumbs up to the move. “Today’s announcement sets the timeline for all new homes to meet these higher standards from 2028,” said chief executive Ed Lockhart. “The Future Homes Hub is facilitating partnership across the whole housing ecosystem including sharing solutions between homebuilders, housing associations and developers of all sizes to ensure residents feel the full benefits, starting with the Future Homes Standard Ready campaign.”

Alongside this, the government has announced a move to roll out ‘plug-in’ solar panels, which homeowners can place on their balconies or outdoor space, to be available in shops within months through retailers including Lidl and Amazon. In Germany, half a million new devices are plugged in each year.

Also announced is an ‘innovative’ scheme whereby energy companies can offer discounted energy bills to customers rather than pay wind turbines to turn off.  The government cited ‘historic underinvestment in Britain’s electricity grid’ and said it will look forward to bring forward new legislation to ensure more homegrown, clean energy can be passed on as discounted electricity to consumers on windy days.

In February, a report from trade body Heat Pump Association UK argued that total gross value added from manufacturing, installing and operating residential space heating appliances could hit £22.5 billion in 2035, with heat pump-related employment potentially growing by more than 110,000 full-time equivalent jobs in that time.

Photo by Michael Roberts on Unsplash