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.

Last week, the UK Government (representing England and Wales), and the Scottish Government both released statements saying EPCs will remain unchanged until late 2027. To recap, the way Energy Performance Certificates look, how results are graded, and the way they are calculated, are all changing. When it happens, it will be the biggest refresh to EPCs since their creation in 2008.

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 UK Government has set out plans to replace rdSAP10 assessments with the Home Energy Model. Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) are still getting to grips with rdSAP10 (which was only implemented back in the summer) following years of delays. This consultation also considers how the new EPC metrics will be defined. You’ve got until March 18th, 2026 to have your say.

The Scottish Government has outlined plans to update Technical Handbook Section 6 to scrap SAP and further tighten fabric performance standards. They're calling it a 'PassivHaus equivalent standard'. Specific details and timeframes will be confirmed later this year, with the final ‘Go Live’ date already confirmed as 31st March 2028.

When the FHS consultation was released in December 2023, there were two other consultations hidden in its shadow. This week's publication is the official response to one of those lesser-spotted policy proposals. In a nutshell, it confirms SAP is definitely going to be retired. HEM will take over as the method for complying with Approved Document Part L. It will also be used for calculating Energy Performance Certificates.

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.

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.

Domestic Energy Assessors are expected to switch to rdSAP10 from June 2025. This will improve the accuracy of EPC assessments.

Over the years, the performance of PV panels drops. From my own experience, generation can reduce very quickly unless panels are cleaned.

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

The proposed new Home Energy Model is expected to be published by the UK Government mid-2025. There's already plenty of anxiety about how mu

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