Future Homes Standard: MEP design for new homes in England
From 24 March 2027, new homes in England have to be built with low-carbon heating and on-site solar. If you're designing a scheme now, it will very likely be built under the new rules. We design the mechanical and electrical side so it complies from day one, on a fixed fee.
Key dates
24 March 2026: the Building Regulations etc. (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2026 were published, with new Approved Document L (Volumes 1 and 2) and Approved Document F (Volume 1).
24 March 2027: the new rules come into force for most building work.
24 September 2027: they come into force for higher-risk buildings.
24 March 2028: transitional protection ends. A project whose building notice, initial notice or full plans application went in before 24 March 2027 can stay on the current Part L 2021 standard only if work starts on site before this date.
What changes for building services
Low-carbon heating. Gas boilers are effectively out of new homes. Heating comes from heat pumps or a connection to a heat network, so heat loss, emitter sizing and flow temperatures have to be designed properly from the start.
On-site renewable electricity. A new requirement (L3) means most new homes need solar PV, with some exemptions. That affects roof layouts, electrical distribution and maximum demand.
Better fabric and airtightness. Lower heat loss changes plant sizing and makes ventilation design more important.
Controls and commissioning. The new guidance covers heat pump controls, insulation of heating pipework, commissioning, and a Home User Guide for every new home.
Compliance calculations. SAP 10.3 is the approved method when the rules start, with the government's Home Energy Model due to follow.
Non-domestic buildings. The companion Future Buildings Standard raises the bar for offices, shops and other buildings too, with heat pumps, better lighting efficiency, heat recovery and solar PV in the reference design.
How we help
Heat pump and emitter design. Room-by-room heat loss, heat pump sizing and emitters selected for low flow temperatures.
Solar PV and electrical design. PV layout and sizing, battery storage where it makes sense, and maximum demand checks for heat pumps and EV charging.
Ventilation. Mechanical ventilation and MVHR designed to Approved Document F.
Compliance. Part L and SAP inputs coordinated with your energy assessor, so the design and the calculations agree.
Coordinated models. Clash-free Revit MEP models and construction-ready drawings, RIBA Stage 2 to 5, on a fixed fee agreed before we start.
Transition checks. Not sure whether your scheme falls under the old rules or the new ones? Send us the dates and we'll tell you where you stand.
Building a single house? Our fixed-price packages cover heat pump, ventilation and EV design for one home.
Building in Northern Ireland or Ireland?
The Future Homes Standard applies to England only. Northern Ireland works to Part F and Technical Booklet F, and the Republic of Ireland to Part L and BER. We're based in Co. Down and design to whichever rules apply. See our services.
Common questions
Does the Future Homes Standard ban gas boilers?
For new homes in England, effectively yes: they'll be heated by heat pumps or heat networks. It doesn't affect boilers in existing homes.
My project already has building control approval. Does it apply?
If your building notice, initial notice or full plans application went in before 24 March 2027 and work starts before 24 March 2028, you can usually stay on the current rules. Miss the start date and the new standard applies.
Do you only work on large housing schemes?
No. One-off houses, small developments and extensions are exactly the kind of work we take on.
Send us your scheme for a fixed fee
Source: MHCLG Building Circular 01/2026