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UNDERFLOOR HEATING


Future Homes Standard is changing the skills installers need on site


Above: Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)


Right: Ben Perris, sales director ICS for Wavin


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The introduction of the Future Homes Standard (FHS) represents a clear direction of travel for the UK housebuilding sector. For installers, however, its impact is far more immediate. The homes being built now, and those to come in the next few years, demand a different approach on site. Ben Perris, sales director ICS for Wavin explains


s British homes move towards lowercarbon, higherefficiency designs, systems once viewed as optional upgrades are becoming


core components of compliant housing. The result is a growing gap between traditional installation practices and the level of understanding now required to deliver homes that are efficient, comfortable and built to perform as designed.


Defining the new skillset


The FHS places lowcarbon heating at the centre of newbuild design. Heat pumps are expected to become the default solution in many properties, with targets set to reach 600,000 installations per year by 2028. For installers, this changes the fundamentals. Heating systems are no longer isolated components; they form part of an integrated approach to modern home design. Heat pumps, for example, perform most efficiently when paired with lowtemperature heating systems, directly influencing how systems are specified, installed and commissioned on site. Installers are now expected to understand how whole systems work together, not just how to fit individual products. Research from the University of Strathclyde has highlighted a “significant installer skills gap” when it comes to lowcarbon technologies, pointing to low confidence and limited practical knowledge across parts of the sector. Closing that gap isn’t about making installers engineers or designers overnight. It’s about equipping them with the practical understanding needed to install, commission and explain modern systems properly – reducing risk on site and avoiding issues once the homeowner moves in. That includes working confidently with lowflow heating distribution like underfloor heating (UFH), setting up and optimising smart controls and ensuring ventilation systems are installed and commissioned correctly for the end-user.


Underfloor heating: getting low temperature right


UFH is a good example of where this systemlevel understanding matters. Most UK homes aren’t


the unit, but in understanding airflow, ducting layouts, commissioning and how ventilation interacts with heating and airtightness. To support installers as these systems become


standard, manufacturers such as Wavin are investing in practical training and guidance through initiatives like the Wavin Installer Network (WIN). The freetojoin programme provides tailored support across UFH, ventilation and heat recovery, alongside access to technical expertise when it’s needed on site.


The case for controls


built to work with heat pumps yet, relying often on hightemperature heating. Low temperature heating systems like UFH provides a more compatible approach. UFH, like Wavin’s Comfia system, is designed to work between 35°C and 55°C, similar temperatures to heat pumps. As a result, it is increasingly specified in new homes due to its ability to deliver even heat distribution across the entire floor surface. Pairing a heat pump with the right distribution and control systems means it doesn’t have to work harder than necessary. The result is steadier heat, lower energy use and a system that operates efficiently as a whole.


Making MVHR commonplace


The FHS doesn’t stop at how homes are heated. It also brings renewed attention to how they are ventilated. Updates to Part F of the Building Regulations reflect this, particularly in relation to FHS compliance. As a result of homes becoming more airtight,


systems like Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) are becoming far more commonplace in new developments. By recovering heat from extracted air, these systems help maintain indoor air quality while supporting energy efficiency targets. For installers, the challenge lies not just in fitting


Reducing energy use sits at the heart of the FHS, but efficiency only works when homeowners can control their systems easily. Poorly set-up or overly complex controls often lead to confusion, unnecessary overrides and wasted energy. Smart control systems are increasingly designed to simplify operation and ensure homes perform as designed. Advanced technology such as Wavin Sentio provides precise, roombyroom control through an intelligent central unit. The system learns from user behaviour, adapts to living patterns and optimises comfort while reducing energy consumption. From an installation perspective, it is designed to simplify the process. A clear three step installation pathway, colourcoded wiring and modular expansion (up to eight thermostats) help installers commission systems quickly and with greater confidence. Strong connectivity between components helps ensure stable performance once handed over to the homeowner.


Preparing for what comes next


The FHS makes one thing clear: the direction of travel is fixed. The question for installers is how prepared they are to work confidently within it. Those who invest time in developing a broader, systemlevel understanding will be better placed to meet future demand – delivering homes that perform efficiently from day one.


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