Consultation description

The government response to this consultation will be published in early 2026.

Due to an issue with the consultation version Home Energy Model software that informs responses to the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation, the deadline for responding to the live consultations on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, the Home Energy Model (HEM) and the Home Energy Model: Future Homes Standard assessment has been extended to 23:59 on Wednesday 27 March.

We have recently been made aware of an issue with the consultation version Home Energy Model software, which was affecting the modelled solar PV yield if solar panels were not facing south. Whilst the issue itself is relatively minor and a fix has now been issued, we are aware that it could have affected whether designs pass or fail the FHS notional building specification in marginal cases which would potentially impact any comparison of Option 1 versus Option 2. To ensure that everyone has a fair and equitable opportunity to judge whether this issue will affect their response to the consultations, we have taken the decision to extend the closing date for all 3 consultations by 3 weeks.

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.

Documents

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation

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