HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES 61
Collaboration is the key to Future Homes success
Ashley Cooper from WMS Underfl oor Heating explores the latest developments surrounding the Future Homes Standard, and highlights why selecting suppliers who are ready for collaboration is crucial to achieving the low-carbon transition.
M
arking a decisive shift for the sector, the introduction of the much anticipated Future Homes Standard (FHS) is set to fundamentally change the way new UK homes are designed and heated.
Current information indicates that the primary focus will continue to be on signifi cantly reducing carbon emissions and improving energy effi ciency, ensuring newly built homes lead the UK’s low-carbon transition. Coupled with the nation’s 2050 net zero target, this emphasis has driven substantial changes in the design and construction of these properties. While the fi ner details of the FHS are unknown, one thing is sure: those who anticipate the changes and act early will not only stay ahead of compliance but also shape best practices in sustainable design.
Optimising heat pump performance With evolving targets and regulatory changes on the horizon, heat pumps are increasingly recognised as the leading low- carbon heating solution for new homes. To achieve peak performance, however, they must be integrated with compatible low-temperature heating systems. Hydronic underfl oor heating (UFH), with its large surface area and low fl ow temperature requirements, provides the most effective heat emission. This confi guration enables heat pumps to operate at optimal Coeffi cient of Performance (COP) levels, typically with fl ow temperatures between 35-45°C. To provide the industry with the latest knowledge, Energy House 2.0, a research facility at the University of Salford, tested various heating systems to assess their performance in modern, new build homes. Alongside many other factors, the study
ADF NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025
measured spatial air temperature, providing an accurate picture of how heating systems perform throughout the whole living space, identifying hot spots close to the heat emitter or thermostat, and colder temperatures further away.
The results were clear and UFH delivered the lowest temperature variations, compared to as much as 4°C from other technologies, and 2.2°C from traditional radiators. The performance was even
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