Future Homes Standard 2028: What Mandatory Heat Pumps in New Builds Means for Existing Homeowners
The Future Homes Standard 2028 will force heat pumps into all new builds. Here's why existing homeowners should act now before installers get swamped.
Written by Heat Pump Buddy
The Future Homes Standard 2028 will require all new-build homes in England to be fitted with low-carbon heating, which in practice means heat pumps. For existing homeowners, this creates a very real pinch point: the installer workforce that currently serves you will soon be pulled towards a massive wave of new-build work. If you've been thinking about claiming the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, the window to do it without long waits and rising prices is narrowing.
What exactly is the Future Homes Standard and why should you care?
The Future Homes Standard is a set of building regulations confirmed by the UK government that will ban gas boilers in all new homes built from 2028 onwards. The regulations demand a 75-80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to current standards, and the only realistic way to hit that target is with a heat pump.
This isn't a proposal or a consultation any more. The technical specifications were finalised and the government has committed to the 2028 start date. Major housebuilders like Barratt Redrow and Persimmon are already trialling heat pump installations on new developments to get their supply chains ready.
So why does this matter if you already own your home? Because the roughly 3,000 MCS certified heat pump installers working across the UK right now will face a surge of demand from the new-build sector. Housebuilders will lock in contracts with installation firms, pulling capacity away from the retrofit market. That's the market you're in.
How will the Future Homes Standard 2028 affect heat pump installer availability?
Let's put some numbers on this. England alone sees around 200,000 to 250,000 new homes built each year. From 2028, every single one of those homes will need a heat pump installed. That's a huge volume of work landing on an industry that's still scaling up.
The government's own target was 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028. In 2025, the UK managed roughly 55,000. We're nowhere near the target, and the workforce isn't growing fast enough to close the gap.
What does that mean for you? If you wait until 2028 or beyond to get a heat pump, you'll be competing with the new-build sector for the same pool of qualified engineers. Waiting times will stretch. Prices may rise as demand outstrips supply. The installers who are available now, with capacity in their diaries, won't be sitting idle for long.
Is the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant safe?
Right now, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers a £7,500 grant towards the cost of an air source heat pump, and £5,000 for a ground source heat pump. It's available in England and Wales, and it's currently funded through to March 2028.
But "funded through to 2028" doesn't mean guaranteed until 2028.
Government grants get reviewed, adjusted, and sometimes cut early. We saw this with the Green Homes Grant in 2021, which was scrapped after barely six months. The BUS has been far more stable, but political pressure could change things quickly.
Reform UK has made clear its opposition to net zero mandates, and the party's growing influence in Westminster means future grant funding isn't a certainty. Even if Labour holds firm on climate commitments, a tighter fiscal environment could see the grant reduced from £7,500 to a lower figure. Frankly, the current level of support is generous by historical standards, and there's no guarantee it stays this way.
The practical advice is simple: if you're eligible, apply sooner rather than later. A confirmed voucher is worth far more than a promise that funding might still be there next year.
What does a heat pump actually cost an existing homeowner in 2026?
A typical air source heat pump installation for a three-bedroom semi-detached house costs between £10,000 and £14,000 before the grant. After the £7,500 BUS grant, you're looking at roughly £2,500 to £6,500 out of pocket. That's comparable to a mid-range gas boiler replacement once you factor in parts, labour, and controls.
Here's a real example. A couple in a 1970s detached house in Nottinghamshire got quotes in early 2026 for an 8.5kW air source heat pump. The total installed cost was £11,800. After the BUS grant, they paid £4,300. Their annual heating bill on the Octopus Energy heat pump tariff came to around £980, compared to £1,250 they'd been paying on gas. That's a saving from day one.
Running costs depend heavily on your electricity tariff. Standard variable rates in April 2026 sit at around 24.5p per kWh for electricity, while gas is roughly 6.8p per kWh. Heat pumps are three to four times more efficient than gas boilers, which closes that price gap significantly. On a dedicated heat pump tariff, the economics tip further in your favour.
"My house is too old for a heat pump" and other common worries
This is the objection that comes up most often, and it deserves a straight answer.
Most UK homes can have a heat pump fitted. Yes, even Victorian terraces. Yes, even solid-wall properties. The question isn't whether it's possible but whether you need to do some preparation work first.
For poorly insulated homes, you might need to add loft insulation, upgrade some windows, or address draughty doors before a heat pump can work efficiently. These improvements are worth doing anyway, regardless of your heating system. A good MCS certified installer will carry out a heat loss survey and tell you honestly what your home needs.
The idea that heat pumps only work in new, well-insulated homes is outdated. Modern units from manufacturers like Vaillant, Daikin, and Mitsubishi operate effectively in flow temperatures that suit standard radiators in most retrofit situations. In many cases, you won't even need to change your radiators, though you might need to upsize one or two in key rooms.
Another worry: noise. Current air source heat pumps run at around 40-50 decibels, which is roughly the volume of a fridge humming. Your neighbours won't hear it.
And space? An outdoor unit needs about one square metre. If you've got room for a wheelie bin, you've probably got room for a heat pump.
Why existing homeowners have an advantage right now
Here's something that doesn't get said enough. Right now, in spring 2026, you have options that won't exist in two years.
You can choose your installer rather than taking whoever has a slot. You can get multiple quotes and compare. You can pick the timing that suits you. And you can claim a £7,500 grant that may not be available at its current level by the time the Future Homes Standard kicks in.
Once 2028 hits and every new-build site in England needs heat pump engineers, the balance shifts. Installers will prioritise larger contracts with developers. Retrofit customers, meaning you, will be further down the queue.
The smart move is obvious. Get it done while the grant is confirmed, the installers are available, and you're not fighting with Persimmon Homes for an engineer's time.
Frequently asked questions
Will heat pumps be mandatory in existing homes?
There's no current law forcing existing homeowners to replace their gas boiler with a heat pump. The Future Homes Standard 2028 applies only to new builds. However, the government has signalled that gas boiler sales could be phased out during the 2030s, so the direction of travel is clear. Acting early gives you the best choice of installers and the strongest grant support.
How long does the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant last?
The BUS is currently funded through to March 2028. The £7,500 grant for air source heat pumps is available now, but there's no guarantee the scheme will be extended or kept at the same level beyond that date. Previous green home grants have been cut short, so relying on future availability is risky.
Can I get a heat pump in a Victorian terraced house?
Yes. Thousands of Victorian and Edwardian homes across the UK already have heat pumps installed. You may need to improve insulation first, and a proper heat loss survey will identify any work required. An MCS certified installer can assess your property and recommend the right system size for your home.
How much does a heat pump cost after the grant in 2026?
After the £7,500 BUS grant, a typical air source heat pump installation costs between £2,500 and £6,500 for a standard three-bedroom house. Costs vary depending on the complexity of the installation, the size of the system, and whether you need any additional work like radiator upgrades or hot water cylinder installation.
What happens to heat pump prices when the Future Homes Standard starts?
Increased demand from the new-build sector is expected to push up both equipment and labour costs. While higher manufacturing volumes could eventually reduce unit prices, the short-term effect of 200,000-plus new homes needing heat pumps each year is likely to strain the installer workforce and increase waiting times for retrofit customers.
If you're thinking about making the switch, don't wait for the queue to build up. Use our directory at heatpumpinstallerdirectory.co.uk to find MCS certified heat pump installers near you, get quotes, and lock in that £7,500 grant while it's still available at its current level.