The Future Homes Standard: Is 2023 the new 2025 (for a 75-80% carbon emission reduction)?

Ahead of the UK hosting the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow next year, the recent announcement of Boris Johnson’s Ten Point Plan may have let on more than originally planned; with the initial version of the official brochure showing the introduction of the Future Homes Standard being brought forward to 2023. 

For those who downloaded a copy of the initial booklet, which includes GDHV and other industry entities, as well as media outlets including the BBC and The Telegraph, the new date was hard to miss. In the current downloadable version, the reference to this date has been removed, but its original inclusion is a strong indication of an upcoming announcement, now confirmed by sources within Government. 

Were 2025 targets brought forward to 2023 it would present many challenges to industry, but would support the Prime Minsters ambition for a green industrial revolution and for the UK to develop the world-leading efficiency standards needed to become a global leader in sustainability.

What would this date change mean?

The Future Homes Standard will be the building regulation for new homes in 2025, combining Approved Document L (ADL) and Approved Document F (ADF) into one document. It was launched in October 2019, presenting Government’s proposed standards for 2025 and plans for an interim update to ADL and ADF in 2020/2021 in order to achieve them in two steps.

To meet these 2025 standards, Government wants new developments to produce 75-80% less carbon than those built to current regulations. This would require a significant adaptation of building design for all new residential dwellings and, with transitional arrangements under heavy review, spell the end of traditionally used technologies that incorporate natural gas. 

More can be read about the proposal for the interim ADL and ADF update here.

What’s next and what can we do to prepare?

The final publication of the Future Homes Standard, including details on the interim update, is expected imminently - which is why it is thought the announcement of date changes has been removed so as not to take away from its launch.

With the suggested changes to transitional arrangements and the short time scales involved, companies need to review their HVAC strategies quickly in line with the proposed changes to remove the risk of extensive, costly redesigns.

As the low carbon challenge increases, we will need to form new relationships to overcome these hurdles. Gone are the days of silo working, instead adaption and flexibility will be core to success, drawing on the expertise of the those across the supply chain to introduce new, integrated, low carbon solutions. 

At GDHV, we not only have regional HVAC specialists on hand to help you with your projects, but also a core team of HVAC strategists whose purpose is to review industry and policy changes and work out what these means for you.

Want to learn more or speak to us about the Future homes Standards and how it will affect HVAC specification?

•    Review our guide on the Future Homes Standards consultation
•    Request a Future Homes Standard CPD containing SAP modelling, or 
•    Book a discussion with your regional HVAC contact

We are here to help, eager to share our knowledge and interested in your view of the new challenges we all face.