Government Postpones Future Homes Standard, Impacting Energy Costs
Ministers have delayed the implementation of new low-carbon housing regulations in England, a move that could shackle homebuyers to soaring gas prices for years. The updated rules, known as the "future homes standard" (FHS), were expected to come into force next year but have been pushed back to March 2028 under pressure from housebuilders.
Key Provisions and Loopholes in the Regulations
Under the FHS, homes constructed from 2028 will be required to produce 75% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to those built to 2013 standards. Most new homes will feature solar panels and heat pumps, but a loophole allowing wood-burning stoves could undermine efforts to achieve fully carbon-free housing. Housing experts warn that these stoves, which are highly polluting and not carbon-neutral in the short to medium term, may account for some of the remaining 25% of emissions.
Specifically, houses should be equipped with solar panels covering 40% of the ground-floor area, though exceptions may enable builders to install less. Additionally, "plug-in" solar panels, commonly used in Germany but previously banned in Britain, will become available in the UK within months for installation on balconies or outdoor spaces.
Implications for Homebuyers and the Environment
The delay means hundreds of thousands of new homes will likely be built with gas heating systems, despite escalating costs linked to global conflicts such as the Iran war. Data from the MCS Foundation, a charity certifying low-carbon installations, revealed that only 4,000 out of approximately 140,000 new-build homes last year were equipped with low-carbon electric heat pumps.
Jan Rosenow, a professor of energy at the University of Oxford, criticised the postponement, stating, "It is outrageous that people will be buying homes expensively heated with gas when we have perfectly good technology like heat pumps available. Another two years of this should not be happening, especially during a severe energy crisis."
Historical Context and Industry Response
The future homes standard has been over a decade in the making, originally intended to replace a zero-carbon homes commitment from the last Labour government set for 2016, which was scrapped by David Cameron. Housing experts predict developers will aim for minimal compliance to maximise profits, potentially increasing costs for homeowners later.
Jess Ralston, head of energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, noted, "The government must stand up to housebuilders who may seek cheap solutions, impacting long-term homeowner expenses." However, Garry Felgate, chief executive of the MCS Foundation, highlighted benefits, estimating households could save about £1,000 annually on energy bills due to the new standards.
Unresolved Issues and Government Stance
The government has also declined to rule out hydrogen for home heating, despite evidence suggesting it is not economically viable. Rosenow urged, "They should just rule out hydrogen for home heating; that would be the sensible thing to do."
Housing Secretary Steve Reed defended the measures, saying, "Building 1.5 million new homes includes creating high-quality, energy-efficient properties. These changes will protect families from external shocks and reduce energy bills by hundreds of pounds each year."
