The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation will consider feedback on proposed changes to Part 6, Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations for dwellings and non-domestic buildings, and is seeking evidence on previous changes to Part O (overheating).

One of the most significant proposals is an effective ban on fossil fuel boilers in new homes from 2025, and confirmation that many technologies outside of heat pumps and heat networks are likely to feature in the new standard.

All performance requirements in the consultation are based on notional buildings with an efficient air source heat pump or a 4th generation heat network that uses air source heat pumps.

The consultation document states: "We considered other types of widely commercially available electric heating, such as direct electric and immersion heaters. While these achieve the goal of being ‘zero-carbon ready’ they can be more expensive to run than modern heat pumps, pushing up bills for households."

It adds: "We found no practical way to allow the installation of fossil fuel boilers while also delivering significant carbon savings and ‘zero-carbon ready’ homes.

"As such, we do not expect fossil fuel heating, such as gas, hybrid heat pumps, and hydrogen-ready boilers, will meet these standards.

"The standards proposed are also unlikely to allow the installation of biofuel systems, including wood and manufactured solid fuels."

The consultation can be read in full here, and the deadline for submissions is 6 March 2024. Responses to the consultation can be submitted via this link.