Big changes are coming to the way that new homes are built in the UK. Under the Government's new rules, known as the Future Homes Standard, new houses must be much more energy efficient - cutting their carbon emissions by up to 80%, compared to homes built in 2013.
What does this mean in practice? Builders will need to use better insulation, avoid using gas boilers, and install greener heating systems like heat pumps (these work a little bit like a fridge in reverse, drawing heat from the air or ground). The rules also require improved ventilation and ways to keep homes cooler during the summer period.
These updates might make building a little more expensive at first, but the payoff is lower energy bulls for homeowners and less harm toward and impact on the environment. It's part of the UK's larger goal to reach 'net zero' carbon emissions by 2050. This target was made a legal requirement that the Government has to follow under UK law, under the Climate Change Act, back in 2019.
If you're buying a new home in the next few years, chances are it will be warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and cheaper to run - all thanks to these new building standards.