Launching new building regulations that could slash over £1,000 off a semi-detached home’s bills in the middle of a massive energy price shock is, on the face of it, a smart move. Unfortunately, homebuyers will have to wait until the end of this decade before they can benefit.

This is the promise of the new Future Homes and Buildings Standard (FHBS) that was launched yesterday; the energy regulation that could be the last as all new buildings built to this standard will be net zero carbon ready.

It was first mooted in 2019 with a detailed consultation launched in 2023. For homes, the final version sticks closely to the consultation proposals with the government opting for the greater carbon savings offered by the first of two energy performance options. This includes greater airtightness, wastewater heat recovery and most notably a requirement that 40% of the floor area of a home is covered by PV panels, the main contributor to lower carbon emissions and energy bills.