Clarity on the Future Homes Standard is finally here – but is it enough to influence mass adoption of heat pumps?

Whilst the Future Homes Standard (FHS) has been a key topic of discussion for the industry since its first mention in 2019, progress in announcing the next steps has been slow.

Earlier this month, the government clarified that the FHS is set to be published in Autumn this year, and will effectively aim to clean up energy sources in new-build properties. It plans to reduce reliance on resource-intensive, fuel-reliant heating options such as gas boilers.

Dean Asher, Head of Technical Sales at Polypipe Building Products, said:

“Confirmation of when the Future Homes Standard comes into practice now gives the industry a clear timeline to work towards. While we have known for some time that change is coming, the latest government announcement signals the speed at which the shift to low-carbon heating systems is happening.”

Official data highlights a clear appetite for more sustainable heat sources across the UK’s housebuilding and development sector already, with 87% more heat pump installations throughout January–March of 2025 compared to the same period of the year before.

But is the government’s latest guidance enough for the sector and the challenges it faces?

A shifting landscape

Whilst figures do demonstrate a clear appetite for heat pumps even ahead of the Future Homes Standard, it’s important to put this into context. According to data from the European Heat Pump Association (EPHA), the UK significantly lags behind the rest of the continent when it comes to installation and adoption, with France leading the way, having installed up to 400% more heat pumps in 2024 alone.

On the one hand, this presents an opportunity for the UK’s heating and plumbing sectors to take the initiative and work to catch up with mainland Europe.

Dean Asher said:

“The heating and plumbing sector must now respond and be ready for a major uplift in heat pump installations and demand. We’re ready to play our part in increasing the sustainability of the industry.”

However, on the other hand, it also suggests a huge gap in knowledge, skills, and resources around heat pumps, which needs to be bridged before wide-scale adoption can be achieved.

Relaxing planning laws on heat pumps

The government appears to be fully committed to its low-carbon heating vision. In May, the government announced a relaxation in planning laws around the retrofit of heat pumps, as part of its Warm Homes Scheme. Lifting this red tape allows heat pumps to be more easily installed on retrofit projects and existing homes.

Challenges ahead – closing the skills gap

The most crucial challenge facing the UK’s move towards adopting heat pumps at scale lies within the ongoing skills gap and shortage. For example, the UK Heat Pump Association estimates that at least 27,000 further heat pump engineers will be required by 2028 to meet the government’s targets to effectively decarbonise heating.

It’s not just a case of attracting more people to the sector. It’s also about upskilling the existing workforce. For example, the Heat Pump Association uncovered that approximately 39% of those trained to install heat pumps aren’t actually doing so currently. Ensuring installers have knowledge of heat-pump-ready pipework and smarter solutions that can work alongside more efficient heat sources will be key to the standard’s success once in force.

On the skills gap, Dean Asher added:

“Introducing new technologies at scale also means addressing the skills gap head-on. We are continuing to invest heavily in educational resources, including CPDs, webinars, design support, and installer training to help build confidence and capability across the supply chain. With the right products and support, together we can make home heating and cooling more sustainable and affordable.”

Whilst clarity around the Future Homes Standard is welcomed across the sector, it’s clear that more support is needed to achieve heat pump installation at scale. However, we believe the sector can make home heating and cooling more sustainable, affordable, and accessible in the months and years to come.