22
feature
heating, ventilation & damp proofing
what 2026 has in store for new build home decarbonisation
GTC explores what the Future Homes Standard (FHS) means for specifying low carbon energy delivery and what housebuilders and architects need to be aware of moving forward...
The year 2026 is set to be a turning point for the UK’s new-build housing sector. The long-anticipated introduction of the Future Homes Standard (FHS) will reshape expectations around energy performance and heating systems, requiring all new homes to be zero-carbon ready and built without fossil-fuel boilers. This shift represents far more than a regulatory update; it marks the start of a new era in how homes are powered, planned and delivered. For developers, architects and planners, the challenge now is
to transition low-carbon heat solutions from emerging options to established, site-wide norms. Within this landscape,
heat network solutions, like Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps, are increasingly getting recognised as key components in achieving the carbon reductions the FHS demands. Future Homes Standard: raising expectations for efficiency The Future Homes Standard targets a minimum 75% reduction in carbon emissions compared with 2013 building regulations. From 2026, it’s expected that the FHS will mandate that new homes will no longer be able to be fitted with gas boilers and will instead need to utilise low-carbon heating technologies that offer strong performance and long-term sustainability.
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