What happened this week
GOV.UK has published Building Circular 01/2026, the official notice that explains how England’s Building Regulations are being updated following the publication of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards. In plain terms, it’s the “how and when” document: it sets out the amendments, the phasing (including transitional arrangements), and which elements come into force at different points.
For homeowners, this matters because Building Regulations don’t just touch new estates. They kick in when you do controlled building work — extensions, loft conversions, garage conversions, some major refurbishments, and certain heating system changes depending on the scope of work. And even where regulations don’t explicitly force a particular technology, they shape what’s considered a compliant, sensible design — which affects surveyors, Building Control, mortgage lenders, and ultimately resale expectations.
Why it matters (even if you’re not building a new home)
Most people hear “Future Homes Standard” and think it’s solely about developers. In practice, it influences three things that land on ordinary households quickly:
1) A clear direction of travel away from fossil-fuel heating in new builds. That doesn’t ban your gas boiler tomorrow, but it does mean the industry supply chain, installer training, and product choices will increasingly pivot towards low-carbon heating.
2) Higher fabric efficiency expectations. The better insulated (and airtight) a home is, the smaller the heating system it needs. That changes the technical sizing of boilers today, and makes heat pumps more viable in more properties over time.
3) Controls, commissioning and evidence. Building Regulations increasingly demand that systems are not only installed, but installed properly, set up correctly, and demonstrated to perform. This affects heating controls upgrades, emitter changes (radiators/underfloor), and ventilation requirements where you improve airtightness.
What the circular is really doing, in plain English
Building Circular 01/2026 is essentially the instruction manual for Local Authority Building Control and Approved Inspectors: it clarifies how the updated Building Regulations will be applied following the new standards.
Three technical themes sit beneath it:
- Heating system changes (with heat pumps and other low-carbon options expected to be the default in new homes, and increasingly “standard practice” in substantial work).
- Energy efficiency measures (better insulation, improved glazing performance, tighter air permeability targets, and coherent detailing to reduce heat loss).
- Linked requirements around controls, commissioning and, where relevant, ventilation so that improving one part of the building doesn’t create problems elsewhere.
The circular also sets out transitional arrangements. This is crucial: projects that are already in design or have already started may be treated differently from projects commencing later. For homeowners, it’s the difference between “I can proceed under the previous rules” and “I need to redesign, respecify and potentially budget more”. If you’re planning an extension in Farnham or a major renovation in Haslemere, the timing of your Building Control application and start on site may matter as much as what you intend to install.
What it means technically for your heating
1) Heat pumps become the ‘normal’ reference point
The circular reinforces the shift towards electrified, high-efficiency heating, with heat pumps front and centre. Technically, a heat pump isn’t just a boiler replacement. It’s a different approach to delivering heat:
- A modern gas boiler typically runs hotter water to radiators (often 60–75°C flow temperature).
- An air source heat pump runs most efficiently at lower flow temperatures (often 35–55°C).
2) Heat loss and emitter sizing becomes non-negotiable
For any major project, expect a bigger emphasis on calculating room-by-room heat loss and sizing radiators/underfloor circuits accordingly. Even if you stay with gas in an older property (where allowed and appropriate), this approach reduces boiler cycling, improves comfort, and cuts gas use.
In local housing stock around Bordon and Whitehill you’ll see a mix: 1960s–1990s homes (often cavity walls, variable loft insulation, older radiators) and newer developments. In Liphook, Alton, Farnham and Haslemere there are also plenty of older, character properties where insulation upgrades can be sensitive. The key technical point is the same: your heating system can only be “efficient” if the building isn’t haemorrhaging heat and the emitters are correctly sized.
3) Controls and zoning matter more than ever
Modern Building Regulations increasingly expect good controls: time and temperature control, zoning where practical, and compensation strategies that stop the system over-heating. In plain English, that means:
- Weather compensation: the heating water temperature automatically drops when it’s milder outside.
- Load or room compensation: the boiler/heat pump output modulates based on indoor demand.
- Proper zoning: not heating empty bedrooms the same way you heat the living areas.
Whether you have a boiler, a hybrid system, or a heat pump, controls are often the cheapest “hidden upgrade” that makes the biggest measurable difference — but only when set up correctly. A new thermostat slapped on the wall won’t fix oversized radiators, poor balancing, or incorrect flow settings.
4) Airtightness brings ventilation into the conversation
As standards push homes to be more airtight, ventilation becomes critical. Not because “regulations say so” — because poorly ventilated homes suffer condensation, mould, and indoor air quality issues.
If you’re doing major renovations in Haslemere or Farnham (where older properties can be draughty, then suddenly become sealed up with new windows and insulation), it’s common to need upgrades like:
- Better extractor fans (with humidity sensing in bathrooms)
- Trickle vents and air pathways between rooms
- In some projects, mechanical ventilation options
The heating system and ventilation system must work together. Turning the heating up to fight damp is expensive and ineffective. Fix the moisture and airflow pathway, then heat properly.
What it means financially: upfront cost vs running cost (and the “design” factor)
The circular is a policy lever, but homeowners feel policy as pounds and pence.
Heat pumps: higher upfront, potentially lower running — if designed right
A heat pump installation typically costs more than a like-for-like boiler swap because it can include cylinder changes, upgrades to radiators, altered pipework, and more commissioning time. The running cost depends on:
- Your tariff and how you use electricity
- Your home’s heat loss
- Flow temperature (lower is better)
- Whether the system is correctly sized and balanced
In practical terms for homes around Alton and Liphook, where there’s a mix of gas-connected streets and more rural edges, the economics often compare heat pumps not just against gas, but against oil or LPG. For properties off the gas grid, the journey to low-carbon heating can be simpler to justify financially, especially when paired with fabric improvements.
Fabric first: the cheapest “unit” of energy is the one you don’t need
If you’re spending money anyway (extension, new kitchen, loft conversion), this is the moment to do the unglamorous work: loft insulation depth, cavity wall remediation, underfloor insulation where accessible, airtightness detailing around new windows and doors. These measures reduce required heating capacity and can allow a smaller heat pump or lower boiler output — saving money now and later.
Resale and valuation: standards shape expectations
In and around Farnham and Haslemere, where buyers may compare properties closely, energy performance is no longer niche. Better EPCs, modern controls, evidence of professional commissioning, and a coherent retrofit plan are increasingly valuable. Even if you don’t install a heat pump today, designing your renovation so it’s “heat-pump ready” (bigger radiators, good insulation, sensible pipework routes) protects future value.
What it means locally: Bordon, Whitehill, Liphook, Alton, Farnham, Haslemere
National Building Regulations land differently depending on the local housing stock and the type of work people actually do.
Bordon and Whitehill have seen significant development and regeneration in recent years. Newer homes are more likely to align with the standards and may already use low-temperature heating and improved insulation. For homeowners here, the big opportunity is ensuring extensions and alterations don’t “downgrade” performance — for example, adding a poorly insulated conservatory that becomes a heat sink and drags the whole house comfort down.
Liphook has a blend of modern homes and rural properties. Some areas have limited gas access, and homeowners often weigh oil/LPG alternatives. The standards strengthen the case for fabric upgrades and well-designed heat pumps, particularly where older heating systems are due for replacement anyway.
Alton contains everything from period homes to 20th century estates. If you’re renovating an older property, the key is balancing energy upgrades with the building’s breathability. Good ventilation design alongside insulation is what keeps older homes healthy.
Farnham and Haslemere have many character properties and high expectations on finish. Here, the practical challenge is integrating modern low-carbon heating without compromising aesthetics or planning constraints (for example, siting an outdoor heat pump unit discreetly, managing noise considerations, and routing pipework cleanly). A careful survey and design phase avoids expensive “change orders” once the job has started.
What homeowners should do next (practical steps that actually help)
If you’re planning an extension, loft conversion or major renovation
Ask about transitional arrangements early. Don’t assume your builder “will handle it”. The timing of drawings, Building Control submission and site start can affect which requirements apply. If you’re in Farnham or Haslemere working with an architect, ensure the heating and ventilation strategy is part of the design pack, not an afterthought.
Get a heat loss assessment before choosing a heating system. This is the backbone of good design. It tells you what output each room needs and prevents spending money in the wrong places.
Make the project heat-pump ready even if you keep a boiler for now. That could mean upgrading radiators, improving insulation, and fitting modern controls now, so a future swap is straightforward.
If your boiler is ageing and you’re unsure whether to replace or switch
Separate “emergency replacement” from “planned upgrade”. If your boiler fails in winter, you may need a fast replacement. But if it’s limping along, use the next few months to plan: radiator survey, pipework condition check, cylinder assessment, electrical supply check, and a realistic running-cost comparison.
Upgrade controls and balance the system. In many homes across Bordon, Whitehill and Alton, we still find systems running higher temperatures than needed, with poor balancing. Tweaking these can reduce bills and improve comfort quickly.
If you’re tackling damp, condensation or mould
Don’t just crank the heating up. If your renovation pushes airtightness up (new windows, sealed floors, insulated lofts), you must maintain controlled ventilation. Often a better extractor strategy and fixing cold bridges is more effective than paying to heat moist air.
What to watch over the next few months
This circular signals that compliance expectations are hardening. For homeowners, that typically results in:
- More scrutiny on system design and commissioning paperwork
- Greater emphasis on insulation and airtightness detailing
- More projects choosing low-temperature heating emitters and smarter controls
The households that do best aren’t the ones chasing the latest gadget — they’re the ones treating the property as a system: fabric, heating, hot water, ventilation and controls designed to work together.
If you want help figuring out what these changes mean for your specific home in Bordon, Whitehill, Liphook, Alton, Farnham or Haslemere, book a heating survey with Embassy Gas: https://www.embassygas.com/book | (01420) 558993 | helpdesk@embassygas.com