Government Schemes

Future Homes Standard 2026: what it means if you already own a home

Last updated: March 2026 · 5 min read

The government has confirmed the Future Homes Standard, which will require all new homes built in England from 2028 to be fitted with heat pumps or connected to a heat network, rather than gas boilers. Solar panels will also be required on most new builds. This is a significant shift in housebuilding policy — but if you already own a home, the picture is different to what some headlines may suggest.

If you own an existing home and want to find out whether you may qualify for a heat pump grant or free ECO4 upgrades, use our free 2-minute eligibility checker.

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What has been announced

The Future Homes Standard confirms that from 2028, all newly built homes in England must be constructed with low-carbon heating — primarily air source heat pumps or connections to heat networks. Gas boilers will not be permitted in new build properties after that date. Solar panels covering at least 40% of a home's ground floor area will also be required on new builds.

Separately, the government announced that plug-in solar panels will become available in UK shops within months, through retailers including major supermarkets and online platforms. This is a distinct consumer product announcement and is not related to heating grants.

Important: HeatChecker is an independent eligibility checking service. We are not a government body and do not administer any grants. This article reflects publicly available information as of March 2026 and may be subject to change.

The key point: this applies to new builds only

The most important thing to understand about the Future Homes Standard is what it does not do. It does not require existing homeowners to install heat pumps. It does not impose any new obligation on people living in homes that were built before the standard takes effect.

The Future Homes Standard is a building regulation change. It governs what housebuilders must install in properties constructed from 2028 onwards. If you already own your home — whether it was built last year or a hundred years ago — this announcement does not change any rules that apply to you directly.

What existing homeowners can do now

If you own an existing property and want to install a heat pump before 2028, two main grant schemes are available:

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers up to £7,500 towards the cost of an air source heat pump installation for eligible homeowners in England and Wales. To qualify, your property must have a valid EPC with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation, and the installation must be carried out by an MCS-certified installer. The scheme runs until March 2028 under current policy.

ECO4

ECO4 is a separate, means-tested scheme that covers heat pump installations at no cost for eligible households. Eligibility is generally based on receiving certain qualifying benefits or having a low household income in a property with a low EPC rating. ECO4 is delivered through energy suppliers and local councils, not directly through central government.

Both schemes are available now. Neither requires you to wait for the Future Homes Standard to take effect in 2028.

Why acting now may make sense

There are practical reasons why existing homeowners considering a heat pump may want to explore their options sooner rather than later:

ECO4 ends 31 December 2026. After that date, the scheme closes in its current form. Households who may qualify for free upgrades under ECO4 have a limited window to apply.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme runs until March 2028. But installer capacity is finite. As the Future Homes Standard drives greater awareness of heat pumps, demand from new build developers and existing homeowners may increase, which could affect availability and lead times.
The government's direction of travel is clear. The Future Homes Standard confirms that heat pumps are the long-term standard for heating in England. Homeowners who install now, while grant support is in place, avoid any uncertainty about future policy changes.

What the announcement does not mean

Given the level of media coverage, it is worth being clear about what the Future Homes Standard does not change for existing homeowners:

Existing homes are not required to install heat pumps as a result of this announcement.
No new grant has been announced today for people living in existing properties.
The plug-in solar panel announcement is a separate consumer product development. It is not related to heating grants or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The Future Homes Standard is expected to add costs to new build construction — estimates suggest around £10,000 per property for developers. This does not affect the grant amounts available to existing homeowners under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme or ECO4.

Summary

The Future Homes Standard confirms that heat pumps will be mandatory in new homes built in England from 2028. It is a significant policy commitment that reflects the government's long-term direction on heating. For existing homeowners, the rules have not changed — there is no new obligation and no new grant from today's announcement.

What does exist right now is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (up to £7,500 for eligible properties) and ECO4 (free upgrades for qualifying households). ECO4 closes at the end of 2026. If you want to understand whether your home may qualify for either scheme, our eligibility checker gives an initial indication in about two minutes.