New homes must be built with on-site renewable energy generation and heat pumps from 2028, government announces

The government has confirmed that plans to require new homes to be built with on-site renewable energy generation, such as solar panels, along with heat pumps, will fully apply from 2028.

In its response to the consultation on the new Future Homes and Buildings Standard today, the government said the requirements will come into force on 24 March 2027, but with a 12-month transition period.

The rules for work on higher-risk buildings – defined as those least 18 meters tall or having at least seven storeys contains at least two residential units – will come into force from 24 September 2027 and apply to projects for which a gateway 2 application has not been submitted before that date.

The government has laid regulations in parliament to amend the building regulations in order to introduce the standard.

Ministers anticipate that most of the renewable energy generation installed will be solar panels. The government will consider the requirement met if solar panels are equivalent to 40% of the dwelling’s ground floor area.

The standard will introduce more ambitious requirements for energy efficiency and heating in new dwellings and non-domestic buildings.

It said its new standards are set at a level that requires transitioning away from fossil fuels to clean heat sources. This effectively means no new homes will be on the gas network.

The government has stated that boilers and combined heat and power (CHP) systems are “unlikely to be present in new buildings” because they would struggle to meet the strict new guidance on the carbon intensity of fuel used for heat.

Compliance with building regulations will be assessed against a new Home Energy Model, which replaces the Standard Assessment Procedure.

The government said: “The Future Homes and Buildings Standards will make sure that new homes and nondomestic buildings are future-proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. Homes and buildings constructed to these standards will not require retrofitting to become zero carbon in use once the electricity grid is fully decarbonised.”

The government also announced today that it intends to work with retailers and manufacturers to roll out low-cost ‘plug-in’ solar panels that homeowners can install on their properties to reduce their energy bills.

The government has also today published a call for evidence asking for views on how its £5bn Warm Homes Fund should be allocated. The fund includes £1.7bn already allocated to consumer loans for clean energy technology, supported by £300m capital investment. The remaining £3.3bn will be available as innovative finance for investments and loans in the building upgrade and retrofit sector, including £600m to be allocated to support low-income homes. The consultation closes on 1 June.