The Future Homes Standard (FHS) has been the talk of the industry for the past couple of years. While the legislation has progressed through consultation since 2019, and a new government has now taken the reigns, there has been much speculation around what to expect – and how it will impact installers in their day-to-day jobs.
As we know, our industry is shaped largely by regulation, but it is the plumbers on the front line and the innovative solutions they install that make advancements in performance and efficiency possible.
To support installers to prepare for the changing regulation, let’s take a look at some of the key aspects of the FHS and explore what we know we can expect in 2025.
Why is the Future Homes Standard being introduced?
Before we get stuck into the changes that will be triggered by the FHS, let’s take a minute to understand its purpose.
In the UK, homes are one of the leading contributors towards greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, around 20% of UK emissions are generated by our homes, and 80% of that comes from their plumbing and heating. With the national ambition to cut emissions en route to achieving net-zero by 2050, it is imperative that houses become more efficient.
For a large proportion of homes in the UK, improving efficiency will rely on a broad programme of decarbonisation. While this can involve everything from improving insulation and air tightness through to implementing renewables with technology like solar panels, for plumbing and heating installers, solutions are more tangible.
Plumbers will notice more opportunity to install low-carbon heat sources such as heat pumps, an increased appetite for underfloor heating and other energy efficient heating systems and, naturally, a noticeable adjustment to some ways of working.
What can installers expect from the Future Homes Standard?
The Future Homes Standard will promote efficiency through almost every aspect, with the ultimate goal of reducing emissions from new and existing housing stock. With millions of existing homes potentially in need of decarbonisation and improvement, let’s think about some of the jobs installers might start seeing a lot more of.
Firstly, gas boilers. There has been a lot of talk recently about a ban on gas boilers in existing homes from 2035 – essentially meaning that if a boiler breaks, homeowners will need to install a more efficient alternative instead of replacing like-for-like. Ahead of the launch of the FHS in 2025, however, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said this ban will no longer be introduced, citing concerns around costs to homeowners. In practice, this means it is likely that installers will still be able to install new gas boilers in existing homes for the foreseeable future.
That doesn’t mean that energy efficiency won’t still be front of mind for homeowners, though. Installers should still expect to see a growing appetite for heat pumps over the coming years, as well as more efficient heating systems like underfloor heating. This aligns with the existing requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations that the flow temperature of heating systems should not exceed 55°C.
Essentially, with the introduction of the FHS, installers should anticipate a focus on modifying and improving existing properties to make them more efficient and to reduce their environmental impact.
Is the Future Homes Standard definitely coming in 2025?
After years in the planning, and lengthy consultation periods, the industry is expecting the introduction of the Future Homes Standard in 2025. As a date is yet to be announced by the government, official introduction of the FHS is unlikely to happen before the summer. At this point, it is likely that a transitional period will be implemented, giving the industry plenty of time to familiarise themselves with the new regulations.
When it comes to being prepared for any changes, the most important thing is to keep up to date with the announcements from Government. As the changes to Part L served as a ‘soft launch’ for the Future Homes Standard, it’s expected that most plumbing and heating installers will be able to adapt seamlessly to the changes. That said, taking the opportunity to upskill by undertaking training on heat pump installation or learning about innovations like underfloor heating will stand professionals in good stead for the introduction of the FHS.
As a leading manufacturer, RWC and its family of brands including JG Speedfit, JG Underfloor and Reliance Valves, is ready to support installers meet new regulatory requirements with a broad range of future-ready solutions.
From push-fit fittings, valves, pipes, through to educational resources such as their Underfloor Heating eGuide, visit www.johnguest.com/ie/en/products/jg-speedfit to get the support you need.