© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) – the leading building science centre – has been awarded contracts by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to develop both the Home Energy Model (HEM) product recognition system and the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). Both these government methodologies will underpin the Future Homes Standard (FHS) when it comes into force this year and the ongoing development of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
BRE will lead the work on how technologies and innovations are recognised within HEM and collaborate with new and existing partners in the expanded core HEM project. As we move to decarbonise our homes even more, those technologies that heat, ventilate, provide hot water, store energy or control this transition are advancing and becoming increasingly important. BRE’s work will ensure HEM recognises the detail of such technologies in the most fair and efficient way.
To facilitate the rollout of the FHS and achieve the government’s target of building 1.5 million homes over this parliament, the updated version of SAP will run alongside HEM. BRE is also continuing to update and maintain this SAP version 10.3 and existing versions of SAP and Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) for government. This will open up more opportunities for industry to comply with the FHS, with both HEM and SAP 10.3 providing methodologies which are rigorous and effective.
BRE has been working with DESNZ on the development of HEM since 2023, having also held contracts for SAP prior to this. This continued collaboration adds to a rich history of work between BRE and DESNZ.
Gillian Charlesworth, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of BRE Group board: “BRE has a long history of collaboration with government, and it has been a pleasure to watch the development and preparation of the Future Homes Standard, and the methodologies that will ensure it is effective.
“We support the government’s efforts to provide a seamless transition to the Future Homes Standard by providing several routes to compliance, and ensuring the methodologies used are sound and reflect the challenges of making our homes more energy efficient.”