With the Future Homes Standard set to go live across England next March, housebuilders will need to design in PV panels and install heat pumps to the vast majority of new buildings. That’s going to have a positive impact on Energy Performance Certificates... for now.

We’re told the Future Homes Standard will require most new homes to use heat pumps. That’s most, not all. So does that mean there’s scope to sneak through the occasional gas boiler under the new Part L? No. For two reasons...

One part of the Future Homes Standard has grabbed the media’s attention more than most: Mandatory solar panels on all new homes. But how will these new regs work in practice?

Now the Future Homes Standard and Part L (2026) have been published, we can begin unpicking what compliance looks like for new building sites across England. Changes to the fabric performance targets are under the spotlight this morning, or lack of changes may be more appropriate.

When will the Future Homes Standard apply? For most developments, we have a full calendar year to get ourselves ready. The new Part L goes live on 24th March 2027. This is defined as the date the developer submits documents (initial notice, building notice, application with full plans) to the relevant building authority. If paperwork is submitted and accepted before 24th March, the site can built to the 2021 (current) regs.

The Senedd has published its response to last year's Approved Document Part L consultation, confirming new energy standards for building sites from 2027. Strictly speaking, FHS doesn't apply in Wales, but this news broadly follows what we're expecting from the UK Government in the coming weeks.

The Government's standard response about the release of the Future Homes Standard has changed recently from 'Autumn 2025' to 'in the coming months'.

I often get asked how Infrared panel heaters compare to standard convective heaters For Part L compliance. I know, I get asked all the fun questions!

The Welsh Government has released a consultation looking to change Approved Documents Part L, Part O and Part F, following in the footsteps of the Future Homes Standard policy in England. You've got until 17th November 2025 to respond.

Ed Miliband has confirmed that PV will be 'almost universal with rare exceptions' on all new homes. The details will be defined when the new Approved Document Part L is published later this year, and applied to new sites from late 2026.

When Part L changes next year, there will be two routes to compliance - using SAP10.3, or the new Home Energy Model. This allows HEM a chance to bed in, and means industry can continue using the familiar SAP tools for a while longer.

It's being reported that solar panels will be mandated on all new homes as part of the UK Government's Future Homes Standard policy; due for publication later this year.

The Future Homes Standard is a UK Government policy that’s reshaping how we design new homes so they’re far more energy efficient.

Approved Document Part L is a volume of Building Regulations that sets mandatory energy efficiency targets for new development in England an

The construction industry is keen to plan ahead. With major changes on the way for Approved Document Part L, there's a growing appetite betw