New homes in England are set to be built to much tougher green standards under the Government's Future Homes and Buildings Standards, with solar panels, low carbon heating and tighter energy-efficiency rules due to become the norm. The changes come into force from 24th of March 2027, with full implementation following the transition period in March 2028.
For people buying a new-build home from 2028, the changes should mean properties will be warmer, more energy efficient and cheaper to heat than much of the existing housing stock. Official figures already show new homes in England emit around 1.2 tonnes of CO2 a year on average, compared with 3.2 tonnes for existing homes.
The announcement comes as household energy bills remain a significant concern for many homeowners. The Ofgem price cap currently stands at £1,641 a year for a typical household between April and June 2026, with forecasters at Uswitch projecting it could rise to £1,849 from July. While the new rules apply only to new homes, property experts say the announcement is a useful prompt for existing homeowners to consider how well their own property is holding heat.
Mike Donaldson, Managing Director of Glevum Windows, said older glazing is one of the areas homeowners often overlook. “People tend to notice their windows when there’s a draught, condensation or a room that never seems to stay warm,” he said. “The latest rules show how much standards have moved on in new homes, and that naturally raises questions for people living in older properties too.”
What to check in your home
Before looking for physical signs, start here:
Your EPC rating
If your home has been sold or rented in recent years, it should have an Energy Performance Certificate showing how energy efficient it is. You can look yours up for free on the government's EPC register at gov.uk. A lower rating can indicate that upgrades such as insulation or glazing may be worth considering.
Five signs your home may be losing heat
Draughts around frames and doors
Cold air around window frames, front doors and patio doors can be an early sign that heat is escaping.
Condensation between panes
Moisture trapped inside double glazing can suggest the sealed unit has failed, which can reduce performance.
The age of your windows
Older double glazing may not perform to the same standard as more recent products, especially in homes that have not been updated for many years.
The rooms that feel hardest to heat
If one room is always colder than the rest of the house, windows and doors may be part of the reason.
Higher than expected heating bills
If your home takes a long time to warm up or loses heat quickly after the heating goes off, poor insulation or glazing performance could be a factor.
Donaldson said the point is not that every homeowner now needs to renovate immediately, but that people may want to pay closer attention to the basics. “A lot of homeowners are already thinking about energy bills and comfort,” he said. “Sometimes the first step is simply understanding where your home may be underperforming.”
The Future Homes and Buildings Standards apply in England and are intended to ensure new homes are built with low-carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. For existing homeowners, the announcement may not change the rules, but it could change expectations about what a warm, efficient home should feel like.