As we approach the much-anticipated implementation of the Future Homes Standard (FHS), the UK residential construction sector is at a critical crossroads. The FHS mandates a 75-80% reduction in carbon emissions for new dwellings, effectively signalling the end of the gas boiler era in favour of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs). The industry is seeing a shift in procurement patterns that suggests housebuilders are moving from planning to practice. The transition isn’t just about the external unit; it is about the internal plumbing infrastructure required to make low-carbon heating viable across the country’s housing stock.

The most telling indicator of this shift is the recent uptick in demand for larger diameter piping systems. While 10mm has been the domestic standard for decades, we are witnessing a marked increase in 15mm feeds. This is a direct response to the physics of low-carbon heating. Because heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures (typically under 55°C), they require a higher flow rate to deliver the same thermal energy. To maintain efficiency and avoid system noise or pump strain, larger internal pipe diameters are essential.

Our (Polypipe Building Products) internal data aligns with these industry observations. We have seen a marked shift in 15mm plastic plumbing in the last 12-18 months, suggesting that developers are up-sizing internal networks to future proof their developments. With almost half of housebuilders now identifying the FHS as their primary design driver. This trend indicates that the industry is moving beyond mere compliance. By embracing larger diameter systems today, housebuilders are ensuring homes are truly “zero-carbon ready,” providing homeowners with efficient, future-proofed comfort.

The year 2024 ended with expectations based on an improving first half and a government with a mandate to put housing first and a parliamentary majority to implement it. But while 2025 struggled to get off the ground, January 2026 has started in a better place. Businesses and consumers are not confident in the prospects for the overall economy or the management of it, but they are confident in their own prospects and in their ability to manage their way forward. The industry is looking to grow modestly in 2026.