The Energy & Utilitities Association (EUA) described the publication as a long-awaited step that finally provides clarity for industry and developers.
Commenting on the publication, Mike Foster, chief executive of EUA, said: “After a prolonged wait, it is good to finally see the Future Homes Standard published. Certainty is essential for long term investment, and today's announcement provides exactly that. We have always anticipated that new build properties would be where technologies such as heat pumps and heat networks become mainstream.
“Manufacturers and infrastructure providers can now move forward with confidence, knowing what government expects of them. With clear direction, businesses across the supply chain are better placed to invest in their future.
“Drawing a distinction between new build requirements and those of the retrofit market is key to a sensible home decarbonisation agenda. New homes can more easily be built to a lower carbon standard, each exiting home is a bespoke unit, requiring a variety of solutions. That’s an important lesson that I hope government has now accepted.”
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) said the Standards would make sure new homes and non-domestic buildings are future-proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. They will ensure new homes emit, on average, at least 75% less carbon as a similar new build from 2013.
Gary Parker, head of technical at ECA, said: “I’m delighted to see a fabric-first approach and energy efficiency mandated in new builds from next year. ECA is a strong advocate for the transition to Net Zero and the deployment of well-designed, professionally installed low-carbon technologies.
Ben Perris, director for indoor climate solutions at Wavin said: “the commitments are absolutely the right signal, confirming what the sector already knows – that low-carbon heating is the future.
“Our challenge now is to make sure this standard works efficiently in practice, as well as in principle. Heat pumps, for example, can only deliver their full potential when supported by the right complementary systems. We need to go further and implement solutions that support whole-life performance – from low-temperature underfloor heating to mechanical ventilation. These elements will support the delivery of homes that are comfortable, efficient and genuinely future-proof.
“With the policy direction now set, housebuilders and developers have the certainty they need to plan ahead, and that certainty should mobilise the sector to go beyond minimum compliance and build homes that genuinely perform for the future. At Wavin, we’re ready to support that shift to clean heat, renewable integration, and enhanced indoor air quality with single-source solutions that deliver Future-Homes Standard-compliant homes from day one.
Neal Herbert, Managing Director for GTC, says: “GTC welcomes the publication of the UK Government’s Future Homes Standard, which sets a clear direction of travel towards low-carbon heating and signals the end of fossil fuel heating in new homes.
“We have been planning for this moment for many years. The decarbonisation of heat has long been on the political agenda, which is why we proactively designed and delivered not one but two scalable renewable heat network solutions for our housebuilder partners.
“Our Community Heat Hubs and Networked Ground Source Heat Pump systems directly align with the core technologies outlined in the Standard, combining efficiency, flexibility and long-term sustainability.
“Crucially, this is not theoretical. Over the past two years, we have been working with housebuilders across the UK to deploy these solutions at pace and at scale. Thousands of homes are already benefiting from our low-carbon, reliable and cost-effective heating and hot water, demonstrating that the transition is not only possible, but practical today.
“While the Future Homes Standard represents a major step forward, we recognise it will also present real challenges for housebuilders as they adapt to new requirements, supply chains and delivery models. The key now is moving from policy to delivery - quickly, confidently and without disruption.
Neil Fitzsimons, Managing Director for Power On, says: “The publication of the Future Homes Standard today recognises that high rise developments require a different approach to low-carbon heat and hot water delivery.
“At Power On, we recognised years ago that individual, unit-by-unit solutions like air source heat pumps simply do not stack up for tall buildings - technically, spatially, or economically. Instead, the answer sits with heat networks.
“We design and deliver integrated heat network solutions, powered by networked ground source heat pumps, large-scale air source systems, and centralised thermal storage. These are proven, operational systems already delivering low-carbon heat efficiently and reliably across complex developments.
“If the UK is serious about net zero, we must move beyond fragmented, building-by-building thinking. High-rise developments demand infrastructure-led solutions. Heat networks are not just an option, they are the answer.”
Jeff House, director of external affairs and policy at Baxi, said: “After many years of workshops, consultations and industry debate the long-awaited standards are finally here.
“Effectively new dwellings and non-domestic buildings will be required to adopt low carbon heating technology to comply. Functional changes will be enacted through Building Regulations with new versions of Approved Documents L and F published today, although owing to transitional arrangements March 2028 will be the pivotal moment where change really happens in practice.
“Heat pumps and low carbon heat networks will become the norm here and we are well placed to provide a fully engineered solution with our extensive UK product, training and aftersales support offer.
“We also welcome the requirement to include a defined amount of on-site generation through solar PV which will help to reduce running costs of what will be fully electrified properties.”
Dan Marsden, director of renewables at Wolseley Group, said: “The publication of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard is a decisive step forward and one the sector has been waiting for.
“It brings long overdue clarity and aligns with the government’s ambition to accelerate housebuilding while raising the bar on energy performance.
“For installers, this marks a clear shift in where the market is heading. Demand for heat pump expertise in new build will accelerate quickly, and those who invest in skills and accreditation now will be best placed to benefit.
“The opportunity is significant, but so is the need for support, training and confidence to make that transition.
“The focus must now shift quickly to delivery. Getting the detail of implementation right will be critical if we are to future-proof new homes and avoid creating challenges further down the line. That means ensuring installers are trained at pace, supply chains are resilient, and the policy framework remains stable.
“If we get this right, the prize is significant. We can build homes that are fit for the future, reduce energy bills for households, and create a strong, investable market for low carbon heating. The direction is positive. Now we need to make it work in practice.”
Nick Houghton-Best, national head of new builds at Daikin UK said the announcement “provides much-needed clarity and sends a strong signal to the industry that it must prioritise sustainable alternatives over polluting and inefficient fossil fuel boilers. It is clear that heat pumps have a central role in delivering on the Government’s housebuilding and net zero priorities.
“When combined with solar panels, an air-to-water heat pump can create one of the most efficient home-energy systems available. Solar can generate much of the electricity used to power the system, further reducing bills and emissions. In some configurations, solar can offset nearly all of the electricity required for heating and hot water.
“We’re committed to working closely with government and partners across the sector to help turn policy into practical, well-performing homes that people are genuinely comfortable living in.”
Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said: 'MCS welcomes the Future Homes Standard and the government’s commitment to the small-scale renewable energy industry and net-zero by ensuring solar panels and low-carbon heating systems will be installed on the majority of new homes in England from 2028. It builds on the strong momentum for small-scale renewables, which saw record numbers of certified installations for solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps in 2025.
“With more than 100,000 certified renewable installations on new builds last year, it’s clear housebuilders already recognise the role of MCS certification in underpinning consumer confidence, complementing Building Regulations, and going beyond minimum compliance to improve real-world energy efficiency outcomes. As volumes continue to rise – further stimulated by the Future Homes Standard - certification will be central to the delivery of small-scale renewable installations and the continued growth of the market.