The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation

The government is committed to improving the energy efficiency and reducing the carbon emissions of new homes and non-domestic buildings. Energy efficiency requirements for new homes and non-domestic buildings are set by Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part 6 of the Building Regulations 2010 (“the Building Regulations”). This consultation sets out our plans for achieving the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard. It sets out technical proposals for changes to the Building Regulations, the associated Approved Document guidance and calculation methods.

The majority of this consultation has regard to new homes and non-domestic buildings. A small number of sections are also relevant to existing buildings. These are:

• Material Change of Use
• some elements of Updated Guidance and Minimum Standards
• real-world performance of homes: changes to Approved Document L, Volume 1: Dwellings and Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings to improve the commissioning of fixed building services in new and existing homes.
• Part O (call for evidence)

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has also published a series of documents related to this consultation, as well as their own consultations on the Home Energy Model (HEM), which can be found at:

• Home Energy Model consultation
• Home Energy Model: Future Homes Standard assessment consultation

In response to questions from consultees, a note is now provided below which clarifies how to respond to Questions 7 and 8 of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation; how HEM:FHS is expected to develop prior to its full implementation; and some actions that are being taken to help model FHS compliance in the HEM:FHS consultation tool.