The Future Homes Standard Is on Its Way –  Are We Ready?

The Future Homes Standard Is on Its Way – Are We Ready?

The transition from Building Regulations Part L Volume 1 (2021) to the Future Homes Standard (2025) marks a significant step towards achieving the UK’s net-zero carbon targets.

In June this year, the government announced that they are aiming to publish The Future Homes Standard by Autumn 2025.

What is the Future Homes Standard?

Anticipated Timeline

How will The Future Homes Standard Affect the Industry?

How can Hannan Associates Help with Your Residential Development?

Hannan Residential Services 

Contact us

 

What is the Future Homes Standard?

Part L (2021) was an interim uplift, targeting approximately 30% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with the previous iteration, while the Future Homes Standard represents the ‘final’ regulatory framework for new homes in England, designed to target an approximate 75% reduction in CO2 emissions and qualify as “zero-carbon ready.”

It is proposed that this will be achieved by continuing to promote a fabric-first approach, where a high performing building envelope will be encouraged to reduce space heating demand, making it easier for low-carbon heating systems to operate effectively.

It is not anticipated that there will be significant improvements from the notional dwelling specification currently outlined in Part L Volume 1 (2021) – The anticipated changes generally comprise; provision of a low-carbon heat source (for space heating and domestic hot water generation) and incorporation of a solar PV array for the vast majority of new build homes.

Summary Comparison of Part L Volume 1 (2021) and the Future Homes Standard (2025):

 

Feature

CO2 Emissions Reduction

 

Building Reulations

Part L (2021)

Approximately 31% reduction (compared with 2013 standards)

 

Future Homes

Standard (2025)

75-80% reduction (compared with 2013 standards)

Heating Systems

Allows fossil fuel heating (e.g., gas boilers)

Unlikely that compliance can be demonstrated using fossil fuel heating in new homes

Primary Heating Technology

Gas boilers and other systems were still common

Low-carbon heating (e.g., heat pumps) will be the primary technology

Building Fabric

Enhanced U-values for walls, windows, and roofs; enhanced focus on “fabric-first” compared with 2013

Fabric standards remain similar; greater emphasis on airtightness to suit heat pump design

Compliance Method

Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP 10 Methodology)

Home Energy Model (HEM) – New methodology

Effective Date

In effect from June 2022

Expected to be fully implemented in late 2026/early 2027, including a transitional period

Anticipated Timeline

At the time of writing there has been no confirmation of any definite fixed dates.

How will The Future Homes Standard Affect the Industry?

Going forward residential designers will need to focus on improving building fabric, incorporating low-carbon heating and hot water systems, installing EV charging infrastructure, and enhancing ventilation.

A breakdown of the key considerations:

Assessment

The new Home Energy Model (HEM) will be introduced to assess compliance, replacing the current Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). This will use a Primary Energy Rate as the main metric for measuring performance this will force the following considerations and inclusions:

  • No fossil fuels: New homes will be banned from connecting to the gas grid. This eliminates fossil fuel heating systems, including gas boilers.
  • Heat pumps: The standard promotes the use of low-carbon heating systems, with air source or ground source heat pumps expected to be the main technology.
  • Heat networks: Connecting to a low-carbon heat network is another way to meet the requirements.

Enhanced energy efficiency

  • Superior insulation: Walls, floors, and roofs must have improved insulation to minimize heat loss.
  • Triple glazing: High-quality, triple-glazed windows are likely to become favourable for new builds to increase thermal efficiency.
  • Airtightness: New homes must meet stricter airtightness and thermal bridging standards to prevent heat loss.

Improved ventilation

  • Better indoor air quality: Stricter ventilation standards ensure adequate fresh air without compromising the building’s airtightness. This can be achieved through systems like Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) or Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR).
  • Overheating mitigation: The regulations include measures to prevent overheating, which is a growing problem in modern, highly insulated homes. Requirements may include limiting solar gain and incorporating passive or active cooling solutions.

Renewable energy and infrastructure

  • Solar PV: While subject to consultation, one option includes mandatory solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate on-site electricity.

Development Costs

Ambitious housing targets and increasing rate of development, along with the planned migration from gas will increase the required electrical capacity for new developments, which may result in subsequent cost increase associated with network reinforcement etc. as the existing capacity becomes saturated.

Project Timelines

The changes are expected to impact construction programmes (at least initially), as the industry expands new processes and technologies.  This is likely to be accentuated by the ‘skills gap.’ There is already a reported shortage in skilled installers proficient in low-carbon technologies (heat pumps & PV), which may be compounded as more schemes are delivered.

Futureproofing

As the ongoing ‘greening of the grid’ continues, off-site grid emissions will subsequently reduce as we prioritise renewable generation, along with other sources such as nuclear, hydrogen tech and carbon capture.

Smart Grids and Digitisation

The grid will become “smarter,” using digital technology and data to balance supply and demand more effectively. This will include better forecasting of renewable generation and consumer demand, and the use of data to manage the grid in real-time.

How can Hannan Associates Help with Your Residential Development?

We provide our clients with a range of services to help them meet the increasingly complex set of targets and standards that residential developments must now meet.

We have extensive experience delivering Passivhaus certified schemes, which is the pioneering sustainability standard from which many of the targets and principles for the Future Homes Standard have been derived.

If you would like a chat about the Future Homes Standard, Building Regulations, Passivhaus or anything else connected to residential developments and our services, please drop us an email.

 

Hannan Residential Services 

MEP Strategy

Utilities planning

Plant space planning & coordination

Central plant solutions

Local plant solutions

Heating & DHW strategy (inc. ASHP)

Ventilation strategy (whole house & purge)

Metering strategy

Renewables options

Vertical Transport Systems

Vertical & horizontal services distribution

Thermal analysis

Certification options i.e. Passivhaus & Home Quality Mark

Heating & DHW strategy (inc. ASHP)

Lift Traffic Analysis

Essential services & life safety systems

Cost appraisal

Planning Support

Building Regulations

Sustainability Statements

Environmental Standards and Energy Statement 

Heat Energy Network Assessment

Low Carbon Heat Appraisal

Energy and Carbon Profoma

Embodied Carbon Appraisal

Utilities Statements

Ventilation Strategy 

Broadband Connectivity

TV Reception

Part F – Ventilation

Part L – Conservation of Fuel & Power

Part O – Overheating

Part S – Infrastructure for the Charging of Electric Vehicles

Part R – Infrastructure for Electronic Communications

 

 

 

 

Low Carbon Design

 

 

Sustainability Certification & Assessment

Additional Services

 

Passive design analysis

Low & Zero Carbon (LZC) Technologies/ Renewables

MEP Design to achieve Passivhaus Certification

LETI

UKGBC

UKNZC

Local Planning Authority Targets

SAP Calculations for Part L Vol 1 Compliance

Dynamic Simulation Modelling for Part L Vol 2 Compliance

Overheating assessments for Part O Compliance (Simplified Method & Dynamic Simulation)

Operational Energy Modelling (CIBSE TM54)

 

BREEAM UKNCR

Life Cycle Assessment

Life Cycle Costing

Contractor design & construction monitoring

Consultation on glazing design, external shading and impact on Building Regulations Compliance

Tom Cutt

Tom Cutt

Associate Mechanical Design Engineer

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Ian Joyce

Ian Joyce

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

Cross Lane Salford

Novella, New Bailey

Greenhaus Salford

BREEAM New Construction Version 7 Launches Sep 30th

BREEAM New Construction Version 7 Launches Sep 30th

BREEAM New Construction Version 7, set to launch on 30th September 2025, will set new standards for building performance, aligned with global decarbonisation efforts.

The comprehensive overhaul has adopted new minimum standards for achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and ‘Outstanding’ ratings, with an emphasis on operational & embodied carbon reduction and wellbeing.

We are keen to help you understand the implications these changes will have on your future projects so please let us know if you would like to discuss BREEAM Version 7 with our team.
It may also be an opportunity for you to register any existing projects against the current BREEAM version to shield you from the more onerous requirements and costs of the new standard.

We can of course help you with registration and progression of these projects.

 

Tim Bell

Tim Bell

Head of Sustainability

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Matthew Dalley

Matthew Dalley

Senior Energy & Sustainability Consultant

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Charlotte Becker

Charlotte Becker

Graduate Sustainability Engineer

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Work Progressing on Greggs Distribution Centre Kettering

Work Progressing on Greggs Distribution Centre Kettering

Construction is underway on Greggs’ 311,551 sq ft National Distribution Centre at Tritax Big Box Development’s Symmetry Park Kettering.

Hannan Associates are providing Building Services Engineering consultancy for the new chilled & ambient facility and have been supporting Tritax Big Box with the wider development plans for the business park since 2019.

Set to complete in September 2025 and become fully operational in 2027, the facility marks a significant step forward in Greggs’ long-term growth plans.  The new distribution hub will significantly enhance Greggs’ operational capabilities by providing a streamlined system for distributing its goods.

The Design

The facility is being constructed with a strong emphasis on sustainability to align with Greggs’  aspirations.  It will be built to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard, with an EPC A rating, and will meet Net Zero Carbon in Construction requirements.

The design of the facility needed to be futureproofed to allow Greggs to extend the facility in the future therefore the MEP services and on plot infrastructure have been designed to allow this expansion to be undertaken with limited impact.

The MEP services routing within the warehouse area have been designed to co-ordinate with the critical dimensions and setting out needed for the Greggs’ automation system.

A lower GWP refrigerant has been incorporated into the office heating & cooling systems. Passive design measures were adopted at early stages to ensure the roof mounted photovoltaic array did not exceed the limits imposed by the local network.

Both Greggs and Tritax Big Box Developments are committed to integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices, which are becoming increasingly important in the industry.

We are working alongside Stephen George Architects, Trinity Property Consultants, Framptons, EDP UK, Feasibility Ltd, WSP UK and Ridge on the project design team.

 

Symmetry Park Kettering  – Unit 1 Timelapse Movie

Symmetry Park Kettering

Symmetry Park Kettering, the location of the new Greggs NDC, offers a strategic advantage for logistics operations.

The park extends to a total of 136 acres and benefits from outline planning permission for 2.3 million sq ft of logistics space. Located directly alongside the A14 “Trans-European” freight route at Junction 9, it offers excellent connectivity to the UK motorway and trunk road network.

This location is particularly advantageous for Greggs, as it allows for optimal distribution routes and reduced transportation times, which are essential for maintaining product freshness and quality and reducing costs.

 

The Hannan Industrial team have supported clients with the development of over seven million square feet of industrial and logistics space.

For a chat about how we can help your future project please get in touch ……..

 

Andrew Carrington

Andrew Carrington

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

Symmetry Park, Kettering

Weston M6, Crewe

LOC8 Maidstone

Approval for Affordable Homes at New Bailey, Salford

Approval for Affordable Homes at New Bailey, Salford

Image Courtesy of ECF.

The latest and final residential scheme at New Bailey, Salford has secured planning permission. 

The scheme is set to deliver 189 affordable homes and once complete will take the total number of new homes delivered at New Bailey to 1,000. The development will sit amongst five other residential schemes, including: the three blocks at The Slate Yard; Novella; and Plot C2 which is currently under construction.

ECF are delivering the scheme as part of the wider £1bn regeneration of Salford Central. ECF is a joint venture between Muse, Legal & General and Homes England, in conjunction with Salford City Council.

Hannan Associates are very happy to be a part of the team working alongside Hawkins/Brown, Buro Four, DPP Planning, Walker Sime, Renaissance, Design Fire Consultants, Project Four, WSP and Re-form Landscape Architects. 

 

Image Courtesy of ECF

Hannan Associate’s Appointment

The Hannan residential team are providing Building Services Engineering consultancy services including:

  • Early-stage technical review and development of plant space options &
    requirements
  • Utilities coordination based on proposal to connect to existing
    infrastructure installed under the Phase 1 (C1 Novella) works. 
  • Building Regulations Part L Design Stage Compliance Assessments
  • Building Regulations Part O Limiting Overheating Analysis
  • TM54 Operational Energy calculations
  • Ongoing site inspections & reporting during the construction period

 

If you would like to talk to us about a future project please give us a call or drop us an email….

 

 

Andrew Carrington

Andrew Carrington

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

Cross Lane Salford

Novella, New Bailey

The Slate Yard, New Bailey

New £7m Substation for Birkenhead

New £7m Substation for Birkenhead

Ameon Utilities have commenced construction of a new, £7m substation in Birkenhead, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing  regeneration of the Wirral.

Hannan Associates worked alongside Ameon and the client, the Wirral Growth Company, to develop a utilities infrastructure strategy that would support rising energy demands and help future proof Birkenhead and its neighbouring towns for future development plans.

The Birkenhead substation is set to play a crucial role in upgrading the region’s energy capabilities, meeting the demands of its expanding population and commercial activities. By providing a stable and efficient power supply, the substation will significantly reduce the likelihood of power outages, ensuring a more reliable service for both residents and businesses. This enhanced infrastructure is essential for supporting the area’s continued growth and regeneration, enabling new developments and economic opportunities.

The substation stands to deliver substantial environmental and economic benefits. The new power will deliver all electric buildings using heat pump technology to take advantage of the decarbonisation of the national grid. This focus on efficiency will help reduce carbon emissions, contributing to the area’s broader sustainability targets.

With its capacity, it will facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient power grid. This forward-thinking approach not only addresses current needs but also positions Birkenhead and the broader Wirral area for long-term success.

Fellow project team members for the new sub-station includes: Ameon Utilities;  Buro Four and Abacus.

This development is part of the Wirral Growth Company’s wider masterplan for Birkenhead town centre. Hannan Associates have been involved with the scheme since 2017 providing Utilities Infrastructure, Building Services Engineering and BREEAM consultancy. The Wirral Growth Company is a joint venture between Wirral Council and Muse.

Previous phases of work included the construction of two new Grade A office buildings, totalling 150,000 sq ft, one of which is now occupied by Wirral Borough Council.  During this phase, the project included the demolition of 27 retail units, for which we organised multiple complex infrastructure diversions of HV, LV, BT, Virgin, Drainage, Gas and Water services. 

 

Ian Joyce

Ian Joyce

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

Wirral Regeneration

Liverpool Waters

DWP Hub, Talbot Gateway Blackpool

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