In October 2023 the Future Homes Hub established the Future Homes Standard (FHS) Implementation Board (IB) to bring together industry leaders, key stakeholders and relevant government bodies to anticipate, identify and monitor the key issues and actions required to secure successful delivery of the Future Homes Standard 2025. 

Initially, three Implementation Groups (IGs) were established to provide the IB with specialist support. These were: Consumer, Heat Pumps, and Fabric.

At the latest IB meeting, it was agreed to establish the following additional IGs:

• Grid capacity & energy flexibility
• Heat networks
• Ventilation
• Building Performance Evaluation (utilising the existing FHH BPE work group)
• Home Energy Model (HEM) Liaison Group.

Each group will delve into the detail of what is required and track progress in their area to ensure successful delivery of the Future Homes Standard 2025. The FHH will be communicating regular updates from these groups through our usual channels (newsletter, website, LinkedIn, etc).

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from those wishing to play an active role in the following groups. Please note we are not accepting expression of interest for the BPE and HEM groups.

Grid capacity & energy flexibility

The proposed FHS involves the mass-scale electrification of heat for new build homes with the associated grid implications. To ensure smooth and efficient implementation close coordination and understanding between developers and DNOs/IDNOs is essential. 

Further, there is potential for technologies to be used within the home to shift energy loads away from peak times and increase energy use flexibility and reduce running costs. Whilst no new regulatory metrics are proposed which focus on peak loads and load shifting, the new Home Energy Model should be able to model the effects of using these types of technologies and industry is developing technologies and approaches which may be beneficial. 

The grid capacity & energy flexibility IG will support and track this activity by working/ liaising with other existing industry groups to develop and oversee an implementation plan, share best practice, interface with the HEM liaison group and Heat Pump IG, in particular, and take forward the recommendations in the Ready for Zero report.

Heat networks

The FHS consultation proposes separate standards for dwellings connected to heat networks and expects that many flatted developments would use low carbon heat networks as a means of compliance. In addition, there are other related government initiatives/ proposals in this area such as heat network zoning. 

The Heat networks IG will support and track this activity by working/ liaising with other existing industry groups to develop and oversee an implementation plan, share best practice, interface with the HEM liaison group and Consumer IG, in particular, and take forward the recommendations in the Ready for Zero report.

Ventilation

The FHS consultation proposes changes to the design, installation, commissioning and testing of mechanical ventilation systems and strengthening the use of ‘competent persons’. 

The Ventilation IG will support and track this activity by working/ liaising with other existing industry groups to develop and oversee an implementation plan, share best practice, liaise with other IGs, and take forward the recommendations in the Ready for Zero report.

Please use the form below to express your interest in being an active member of one or more of these groups. This is a great opportunity to share your expertise, discuss issues with industry colleagues and help the housebuilding industry as a whole move forward in our journey to net zero. We welcome applications from both those who have previously been involved in a FHH group and those that have not yet had the opportunity.

Time commitment for each of these groups will be 1-2 online meetings per quarter, plus additional input as needed.

As we are sure you will understand, we are limited in the size of each group. If we are unable to accommodate everyone on this occasion, there will be other opportunities to engage. With your agreement, we will keep your details on file for this purpose.