The Government has confirmed the long-awaited Future Homes Standard alongside plans to bring plug-in solar to market, in a package aimed at reducing households’ exposure to volatile oil and gas prices.
From 2028, most new homes will include clean heating, high levels of energy efficiency and rooftop solar, marking a significant step forward after years of delay. Garry Felgate, chief executive of the MCS Foundation, said the move was “very good news” for energy security and “countless” households, with research suggesting savings of more than £1,000 for a typical family.
Ed Matthew of E3G called it “a critical step in helping the British people to take back control of their energy from fossil fuel dictators,” but warned the Government should have acted faster.
The standard will not be fully in force until March 2028 following a two-year transition, meaning more homes will still be built with gas boilers in the meantime, while exemptions mean some will not include solar.
The policy also falls short of full zero carbon standards, and there are risks developers could dilute ambition over time. Jess Ralston at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit warned ministers may need to keep standing up to housebuilders seeking to meet the rules as cheaply as possible, potentially storing up higher costs for homeowners later.
Alongside the Future Homes announcement, Ministers confirmed plans to roll out plug-in solar that could offer modest savings for some households, but may face practical barriers around cost, space and planning permissions.
More broadly, additional funding for retrofit and the launch of a new Warm Homes Fund point to growing momentum behind efforts to upgrade existing homes, particularly through local and area-based programmes.
At the same time, proposals to offer cheaper electricity in windy areas could help some households benefit from abundant renewable power, although they also underline the need for longer-term investment in the grid and reform of electricity pricing to ensure clean heating delivers consistent savings.
A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition commented:
“These are all clearly steps in the right direction. More accessible solar energy and building cheap to run homes with clean heating as standard should have happened years ago.
“For the households who benefit, it will mean warmer homes and permanently lower bills, while reducing our exposure to volatile oil and gas markets.
“But we cannot solve a national crisis by focusing only on homes that haven’t been built yet and new technology. Millions of people are still stuck in cold, damp homes today, facing rising bills as global fossil fuel prices surge again.
“Ministers now need to match this ambition with a nationwide programme to upgrade existing homes, starting with those in fuel poverty, alongside targeted financial support and reform of electricity pricing so people actually see the benefits in their bills.”