Future Homes Standard: Key Changes in Part L 2026 Explained
Andy Taylor, Director
What is the Future Homes Standard?
The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is the UK Government’s programme for improving the energy performance of new homes and supporting the transition to net zero carbon emissions. The standard introduces changes to Building Regulations, Approved Documents and compliance methodologies, with the aim of delivering homes that produce significantly lower carbon emissions than those designed under Part L 2013.
Officially released on 24th March 2026, and with time for industry to review its updates, it is clear Part L 2026 goes beyond just incremental improvements on Part L 2021. Instead, it promotes a holistic approach to building performance, combining improved fabric efficiency, low carbon heating systems, renewable energy generation, and more robust compliance assessment methods.
But what does this mean in practice?
1.
Compliance Under the Future Homes Standard
Alongside changes to building specifications, the Future Homes Standard also changes how compliance is demonstrated.
SAP 10.3
SAP 10.3 will initially be used to demonstrate compliance with the Future Homes Standard. Developers, architects and design teams should ensure specifications are assessed against the latest SAP requirements at the earliest project stages.
The Home Energy Model (HEM)
The Home Energy Model (HEM) is intended to replace SAP as the long-term compliance methodology. During the transition period, both methodologies will operate in parallel, giving the industry time to adapt to new modelling processes and reporting requirements.
As HEM develops, it is expected to provide a more sophisticated assessment of building performance and will increasingly influence design decisions throughout the residential sector.
2.
Key Changes Under Part L 2026
1. Moving Beyond Gas
The FHS marks the effective removal of fossil fuel heating systems from new homes. Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) and low-carbon heat networks will now replace gas boilers as the primary heat source in new-builds. This shift has significant design implications, introducing space requirements for plants and cylinders and requiring greater fabric efficiency to counter the increased electricity demand caused by an electric heating system.
2. Greater Fabric & Energy Performance Requirements
Part L 2026 also introduces a revised notional dwelling which tightens overall performance expectations even further. These include lower airtightness targets, enhanced lighting efficiency, updated carbon and primary energy factors, and a continued emphasis on thermal bridging and fabric performance.
3. Solar PV as a Functional Requirement
Solar PV is now expected on most new homes, with the required size of the PV array dependent on the dwelling’s floor area and energy demand. New builds must now be designed to achieve a minimum electricity generation target, unless robust evidence can be given to prove otherwise. For example, a complex roof layout may make a building exempt.
3.
Material Change of Use Projects
The Future Homes Standard is not limited to new-build housing developments.
Projects involving a material change of use, such as office-to-residential or commercial-to-residential conversions, are expected to face more stringent energy performance requirements than under previous regulations. Rather than relying solely on minimum elemental standards, compliance may need to demonstrate performance against overall energy, carbon and fabric efficiency targets similar to those applied to new homes.
This makes early-stage energy modelling increasingly important for conversion projects where design constraints can make compliance more challenging.
4.
What Developers Need to Know
The Future Homes Standard should not be viewed as a final-stage compliance exercise. Many of its requirements influence decisions made during concept and planning stages.
Design teams should:
5.
Transitional Arrangements and Compliance Deadlines
Understanding the Future Homes Standard implementation programme is critical for project planning.
Projects progressing through planning and design during the transition period may be subject to different compliance pathways depending on commencement dates and the applicable regulations at the time of submission. As transitional arrangements come to an end, all new developments will be expected to meet the full requirements of the Future Homes Standard.
Developers should therefore review project programmes carefully and seek compliance advice early to avoid delays or redesigns that may arise from changing regulatory requirements.
So, What Now?
Understanding the Part L 2026 timeline is essential for project planning and compliance.
The Future Homes Standard marks a step change in residential design which takes a fully electric, more robust approach towards residential design. Put simply, achieving compliance is no longer a tick-box exercise, it requires early-stage consultancy input from concept stage onwards.
Need Help Understanding the Future Homes Standard?
MES Building Solutions works with developers, architects, and design teams to navigate these evolving requirements, helping deliver practical, compliant and future-ready housing developments.
