VIEWPOINT PREPARING FOR A MORE
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Matthew Handley, category innovation manager at Jewson
BUILDING A MORE sustainable future is something that many people in the trade feel passionate about. Increasingly, homeowners are asking builders and tradespeople for more sustainable solutions, with a greater awareness of the benefits in doing so. Aside from the environmental aspect, recent research suggests that offering sustainable services can help builders and tradespeople to win more work, highlighting the commercial opportunities associated with this shift. In this article, Matthew Handley, Category Innovation Manager at Jewson, explains how the leading national builders’ merchant is helping its trade customers to select more sustainable options, helping them to capitalise on the commercial and environmental benefits that await.
The current landscape There have been a number of regulatory changes when it comes to sustainable construction in recent years, with much of the legislation leading up to the highly anticipated Future Homes Standard (FHS), due to come into force this year. First introduced by the previous government, the FHS is the next iteration of Part L of the Building Regulations, which many in the trade are familiar with, having most recently been updated in 2022.
The aim of the FHS is that all new homes built from 2025 will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes built under the existing legislation, encouraging the use of low carbon energy sources such as heat pumps and other renewables. As part of the legislation, the government recently announced a slight
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adjustment to the new Home Energy Model (HEM), which will be used to calculate compliance with the FHS. HEM was previously set to replace the SAP10 methodology for assessing the energy performance of new homes in the UK, but it has now been announced that it will run alongside the current SAP10.3 methodology, as part of a phased transition. The government also recently lifted a planning restriction around the installation of heat pumps, as part of its Warm Homes Plan, making it easier to install the technology. Whilst we welcome these introductions and the sensible decision to operate a transition period for the new HEM modelling, these reactive announcements do not help with the level of uncertainty surrounding the legislative landscape of the future. There has been very little clarity on the FHS so far this year, and frequent whispers that the legislation is due to be watered down. As such, the industry is understandably confused about how exactly to comply. In a recent study, we found that almost a third (30%) of tradespeople and builders worry the FHS will put financial pressure on their business and almost half (46%) say they would appreciate more support or training from the industry about the regulations moving forwards.
Preparing for change While we await full and clear guidance, we are progressing with our own sustainability strategy and helping our customers to feel informed and empowered in a number of ways. Firstly, we are active members of various organisations, including the Future Homes Hub, so that
“The aim of the FHS is that all new homes built from 2025 will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes built under the existing legislation, encouraging the use of low carbon energy sources such as heat pumps and other renewables.”
we can be among the first to hear about the details of the new standard. As soon as we have concrete information, we will be sharing this with our customers through the variety of sustainability communications channels we have established and expanded in recent years. The most direct of these channels is via our network of sustainability ambassadors, positioned throughout our branch network. We are also training every Jewson employee in the latest sustainability knowledge, equipping them with expertise to share with our customers in person, over the phone and online. Our Building for the Future product range - available online and in branches - makes it easy for customers to access compliant products and services in one place. We’ve also launched a dedicated Sustainability Centre in our Norwich branch with more to follow in the coming months. These unique centres will be staffed with experts who can advise customers on how to select sustainable solutions for an entire building project, from concept to completion.
While question marks remain over the exact legislation, we know that renewables will play a key role, so we have expanded
our range of insulation, low- carbon fabric solutions and renewable energy products to ensure they are readily available across the UK. We are working closely with our suppliers to share their expertise directly with our customers, through a series of workshops and practical training sessions, helping people to gain confidence and upskill in this area.
As soon as the FHS is published and fully understood, we will continue to engage with experts across the industry so that our customers have the best, most accurate advice on how to comply. My advice in the meantime is to keep in touch with your local branch and remain curious about sustainable products and techniques. Understanding the changing landscape of building regulations can feel daunting, but we are here to support you through your building project, helping you to understand how to get the best value from the sustainable material choices. The opportunities that await go beyond compliance, and could help builders and tradespeople to set themselves apart, helping to secure new work while showcasing a responsible attitude towards the future. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net July 2025
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