PHAM NEWS | MAY 2026 18 Underfl oorHeating T


he Future Homes Standard (FHS) is here and it isn’t just another regulatory milestone. It


signals a distinctive shift in how homes must be designed, built and heated for years to come. Add to this the ambitious 1.5m new homes target set out by the Labour government, and the housebuilding sector is at a crossroads where both scale and sustainability must now work in tandem. With 2024/5 ONS data


highlighting an average of 35,000 dwellings being built per quarter across the UK, the pressure is now on the entire supply chain to accelerate delivery while rethinking how homes are designed and constructed. This includes how the 300,000 homes needed per year to hit the 1.5m target can be delivered. Rather than simply installing


more energy-effi cient heating systems, the industry needs to balance achieving these goals and delivering on homeowner expectations when it comes to performance and comfort. This undoubtedly makes the move away from traditional, high- temperature heating systems – like radiators with gas boilers – more complex and nuanced.


Regulatory landscape Since its publication earlier this year, the FHS has indicated a clear shift in how the homes of the future will be heated. Too often, heating is still treated as a late-stage decision in the build process – and that approach is no longer compatible with low- temperature system design. It’s important to recognise that this shift to low-temperature heating is not just a technical adjustment, it fundamentally changes how systems must be designed and specifi ed. One of the biggest challenges


facing the industry is that many systems are still being designed around legacy assumptions – particularly around fl ow temperatures – which can signifi cantly undermine performance and effi ciency in low-carbon homes. Underfl oor heating (UFH) is


well positioned to support this transition. However, its success will be dependent on how well systems are designed with both compliance and the end-user experience in mind. Today’s UFH systems


operate by distributing heat evenly across a fl oor surface, usually at a fl ow temperature between 35°C and 45°C. This is considerably lower


Future Homes Standard forces heating rethink


tighter, there is now an urgent need for solutions which can both guarantee performance and easy installation. Innovations in UFH design


Dean Asher Head of technical sales and underfl oor heating for Polypipe Building Products


As the Future Homes Standard reshapes UK housebuilding, installers are playing a pivotal role in delivering low-temperature heating, working alongside specifi ers and developers to balance compliance, performance and comfort. Dean Asher explains more.


than a conventional radiator system, which tends to operate


The shift to low- temperature


heating is not just a technical


adjustment, it fundamentally changes how systems must be designed and specified


HOUSE NUMBERS


1.5m 300k 35k


number of new homes being built per quarter


anywhere between 60°C and 70°C. UFH’s low operating temperatures not only make them more effi cient, but also ensure they’re ideal partners for other, low-carbon technologies like heat pumps, which are set to defi ne the new era of FHS- compliant homes. When eff ectively integrated


with heat pumps, occupants can benefi t from consistent, reliable warmth, improved energy effi ciency, as well as a reduction in household cold spots.


number of new homes the government aims to build


Meeting expectations Today, homeowner expectations have gone beyond simply effi ciency and cost savings. As with many other examples of technology in the home, there is now clear demand for systems which operate quietly in the background of day-to-day life, and provide consistent comfort without the need for regular maintenance. UFH systems are well-suited to modern living. However, it is important to


number of homes that must be built per year to meet the government’s target


recognise their diff erences from traditional, high-temperature systems, particularly when it comes to how they are controlled. Instead of relying on intense, sporadic heating patterns, UFH is designed to work most eff ectively at lower temperatures over longer periods. This is especially


important when UFH is paired with other technologies like air source heat pumps (ASHPs), where maintaining steady heating patterns helps to maximise system effi ciency and keep running costs low. As a result, the focus is


shifting away from systems which require regular, manual interventions to those which adopt more of a simple, stable approach. Maintaining a consistent temperature allows the system to meet and deliver a balance of comfort and effi ciency. While zoning and smart


controls have a role to play, especially in those larger or more complex projects, their applications should be considered carefully. When it comes to smaller properties, overly complex zoning can result in ineffi ciencies; instead, well-designed systems should always prioritise steady heat delivery to provide an even, comfortable indoor living environment.


Design and install While homeowner expectations are a key consideration, today’s heating systems must similarly address the challenges facing housebuilders and developers, who are operating in an increasingly complex market. With the push to 1.5m new homes fi rmly on, and with build timelines and budgets becoming


and specifi cation are helping to meet the demands facing the industry today. Overlay systems, for example, are helping to overcome traditional retrofi t challenges. Solutions such as Polypipe Building Products’ Overlay Plus UFH system are designed to be installed without the requirement for extensive excavation and demonstrate the system’s suitability for both new-build and retrofi t applications. Additionally, the system’s compatibility with a wide variety of fl ooring – including carpet, wood and tiles – ensures its fl exibility during the design stage. Systems which can simplify


the installation process are setting a new benchmark for how heating should be delivered on site. By simplifying installation and reducing disruption to build timelines, while still meeting regulatory demands, these products refl ect a shift towards heating systems which balance both homeowner expectations with the realities of modern housebuilding.


In practice The shift to low-temperature heating is not a future challenge, it’s a current reality. The question is no longer whether systems can meet regulatory requirements, but whether they’ve been designed to perform in practice. This means engaging earlier in the design process, understanding system temperatures from the outset, and ensuring heating is considered as part of a whole-home strategy – not a standalone element. Crucially, systems also need


to be correctly commissioned to operate at lower temperatures – something which is becoming increasingly important as the industry transitions away from traditional high-temperature design assumptions. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/26


CUT TO THE CHASE


 Low-temperature heating requires early-stage design integration


 Installers must engage earlier in design and specification process


 Simple, well-designed systems outperform overly complex zoning


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