Gav Murray, Director of EV & Solar at Hive, explains what the new Future Homes Standard will mean for installers and landlords, and how they can benefit from the new standard.
The government’s Future Homes Standard (FHS) plans have recently been released, and they signal one of the most significant transformations in UK housing construction since major updates to Building Regulations Part L in 2006.
From 2028, new homes will need to produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than current standards. Low-carbon heating, high-performance insulation and integrated energy systems will move from niche to norm.
For installers, this is both a major opportunity and a serious operational challenge. For landlords and building owners, it’s a clear wake-up call: long-term asset strategy can no longer wait, regardless of whether you’re building new homes or managing existing stock.
There is a narrow window to act. Newbuilds submitted for planning by March 2027 can still be delivered under current standards, provided construction starts before March 2028. After that, the FHS becomes mandatory for all new developments.
For anyone involved in property development or retrofit, that timeline is remarkably tight. The question isn’t whether the industry is ready – it’s how quickly we can get there together.
Beyond newbuilds – the landlord challenge
While the FHS targets new homes, its impact will be felt across the entire housing market.
With Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) requirements tightening by 2029 and EPC Band C becoming the expected baseline for rentals, landlords face a perfect storm which includes new homes setting higher standards, tighter regulations on existing stock, limited installer capacity, and rising tenant’s expectations.
Too often, compliance is treated as a last-minute obligation rather than a strategic investment. Insulation upgrades, heating system replacements, solar installations and smart controls should be planned now, not rushed through in late 2028 when installer capacity is at breaking point and costs have soared.
Take a typical mid-terrace rental as an example. Today, it might scrape an EPC rating of D with an ageing gas boiler. By 2029, that landlord will likely need Band C – meaning insulation, a heat pump, possibly solar, and smart controls will all need installing. Done reactively in 2028? It could cost upwards of £15,000–£20,000 and take months to schedule. Planned now as a phased portfolio upgrade? Half the cost, better quality, and a tenant offer that stands out.
Landlords who act early will secure better pricing, access to skilled installers, and ultimately higher asset values.
The installer capacity window
One of the biggest constraints is installer capacity.
UK’s heat pump sector needs to grow by 4,000 to 6,000 installers per year. Today, there are roughly 3,000 certified professionals. That’s a 12-fold increase in four years and heat pumps are just one piece of the low-carbon puzzle.
Installations are increasing, with around 125,000 units fitted in 2025, but this still falls well short of the 450,000 annual installations targeted by 2030.
This is not just a numbers issue. It’s a skills challenge.
Low-carbon systems demand a different level of expertise: heat loss calculations, system design, electrical integration, refrigerant handling, and increasingly, the ability to connect heating with solar, battery storage and EV charging into a single, intelligent system.
Training, tools and manufacturer support
This is where the industry has a genuine opportunity to get ahead.
Manufacturers must support installers with comprehensive training, certification pathways and practical tools that make the transition from traditional heating to low-carbon systems achievable and commercially viable.
We launched the Hive Installer Club as a free-to-join support programme to address exactly this challenge. It provides installers with step-by-step guided setup workflows, built-in diagnostics, a library of product manuals and how-to videos, plus priority access to technical support when they’re on a job. For independent installers and small businesses, it is particularly crucial for products to work first time, avoiding the need for callbacks and therefore lost earnings and customer trust.
The aim is simple: quicker, more reliable installations, while helping engineers build expertise in smart heating controls and connected systems. What’s more, through the Hive Installer Club, installers are given reward points and can choose how they spend them.
But this isn’t a single-brand challenge. The entire installer base needs consistent, practical support across the industry.
Why interoperability matters
As systems become more complex, interoperability becomes critical.
A landlord preparing for a 2029-ready retrofit doesn’t just need a heat pump – they need a system where heating, solar, battery storage and potentially EV charging all work together seamlessly.
When systems don’t integrate, it creates frustration, repeat visits and loss of confidence.
That’s why we developed Works With Hive to ensure different technologies can communicate through a single platform.
For installers, this means fewer compatibility headaches and greater confidence that the systems they install will work seamlessly with multiple products for customers over the long term.
Getting ahead of the curve
The FHS isn’t just another regulatory milestone. It’s a signal of where the market is heading, and that is towards homes that are cheaper to run, healthier to live in and kinder to the planet.
For installers, that opens up new revenue opportunities – from heat pump installations and annual servicing contracts to smart controls integration, solar-plus-storage systems, and consultancy work advising landlords on long-term retrofit strategies.
For landlords, it means recognising energy performance as a core driver of asset value and tenant satisfaction.
The next two years will determine how smoothly this transition is.
Installers who invest in skills now will be in high demand well beyond 2028. Landlords who plan early will strengthen their portfolios while others scramble to comply, and manufacturers who genuinely support the trade will build lasting loyalty.
The FHS is confirmed. The timeline is set. The question is whether we meet it with a plan or a scramble.
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/ September 9, 2026
