The Future Homes Standard (FHS) has now been published, with the Government confirming that from March 2027 new homes will need to move away from fossil-fuel-based heating to achieve compliance.
Neal Herbert, Managing Director at GTC, says: “The sector needed clarity from Government that new homes will no longer use fossil fuel for heating. Housebuilders can now plan the transition to electric-based heat solutions.
“Individual air source heat pumps will play a role in this transition. However, it is also important to consider how these technologies impact electricity demand at both site and network level, particularly as heat electrification becomes more widespread.”
An efficient route to compliance
There are alternative networked low-carbon heating solutions that are already proven at scale and being deployed across the UK. GTC has designed and developed two such solutions. These are Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps and Community Heat Hubs which have tens of thousands of homes already contracted.
The Standard suggests that housebuilders are likely to face higher upfront capital costs to meet new energy efficiency requirements. Community Heat Hubs and Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps offer a competitive and efficient route to compliance, all while easing pressure on the grid and carrying a lower build cost than individual systems.
Neal continues: “There is growing recognition that a mix of technologies will be needed to deliver decarbonisation at scale. Our networked solutions are designed to support housebuilders with efficient, flexible and cost-effective options. This also helps to manage electrical demand and deliver long-term value for residents. We also own and operate the networks, meaning homeowners benefit from a fully managed service without the need to maintain or replace equipment.”
GTC’s Networked Ground Source Heat Pump solution supports housebuilders in meeting the Future Homes Standard by reducing carbon emissions by 75-80% from day one. The system offers up to five times the efficiency of gas and higher with stable, year-round efficiency.
Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps operate with a lower electrical load per plot. It helps to reduce pressure on local electricity networks and limit the need for costly grid reinforcement. The solution also provides a complete, end-to-end approach to heating, hot water and cooling.
What this means for residents
For residents, this translates into a reassuring heat solution which supports lower whole-home energy costs. Residents benefit from a greener system that offers reliable year-round performance and easy-to-use smart controls. The integrated smart thermostat optimises heating schedules for greater efficiency and comfort. Residents able to control their heating and hot water from anywhere via an intuitive app.
GTC’s Community Heat Hub solution also enables compliance with the Future Homes Standard, delivering the same levels of carbon reduction from day one. It helps manage and smooth a site’s electrical demand profile, which contributes to lower peak demand across a development. The model benefits from economies of scale, offering cost efficiencies on a per-plot basis and simple, familiar connections for housebuilders. The installation is comparable to traditional gas and water networks.
Residents benefit from energy cost savings of around 40%, when used alongside other efficiency measures. The service is regulated by OFGEM and fully owned and maintained by GTC. This ensures a seamless, all-inclusive service where maintenance, repairs and system management are handled centrally.
