New-Build Homes and Heat Pumps: Developer Adoption Data
The UK builds approximately 200,000-250,000 new homes each year. Until recently, the vast majority were fitted with gas boilers. That is changing fast. The Future Homes Standard, tighter building regulations, and growing consumer demand are driving a rapid shift toward heat pumps in new-build homes. But adoption varies dramatically between developers. This data-driven analysis reveals which housebuilders are leading, which are lagging, and what new-build buyers need to know about their heating system.
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The Future Homes Standard Explained
The Future Homes Standard (FHS) is a major update to Part L of the Building Regulations that requires new homes to produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than current standards. While the FHS does not explicitly mandate heat pumps, the carbon reduction targets are so stringent that gas boilers cannot achieve them — making heat pumps (or equivalent low-carbon heating) effectively mandatory.
The interim uplift to Part L (2021) already requires a 31% reduction in carbon emissions compared to previous standards. Most developers have met this through improved insulation and, increasingly, heat pumps. The full FHS takes this much further.
According to DESNZ consultation responses, the industry broadly accepts that the FHS means the end of gas boilers in new homes. The transition is happening now, not at some distant future date.
Adoption Rates by Developer
Heat pump adoption varies significantly between developers. The largest volume housebuilders have been slower to transition than smaller, more agile developers — but the gap is closing rapidly.
| Developer | Homes/Year | Heat Pump % (2025) | Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barratt Developments | ~14,000 | 45% | 100% by 2026 | Announced full transition |
| Persimmon | ~10,000 | 35% | 100% by 2027 | Scaling up rapidly |
| Taylor Wimpey | ~10,000 | 40% | 100% by 2026 | Piloting ground source on some sites |
| Bellway | ~8,000 | 50% | 100% by 2026 | Early mover |
| Berkeley Group | ~4,000 | 55% | 100% by 2026 | Premium market, higher adoption |
| Ilke Homes (modular) | ~1,000 | 100% | Already there | Heat pumps standard since 2021 |
| Self-build sector | ~12,000 | 60% | Varies | Higher adoption by choice |
| Housing association new builds | ~40,000 | 50% | 100% by 2026 | SHDF and net zero strategies |
Source: Developer annual reports, Home Builders Federation data, and MCS new-build installation statistics, 2025. Percentages are estimates based on published data and industry analysis.
The trend is unmistakable: every major developer is moving toward 100% heat pump adoption in new builds, driven by regulation rather than choice. The developers who moved earliest — like Bellway and Berkeley Group — report that the initial learning curve has been overcome, and heat pump installation is now a standard part of their build process.
Which Brands Are Developers Using?
Volume housebuilders tend to select a small number of brands for standardisation and supply chain efficiency. The most common brands in new-build installations are:
- Mitsubishi Ecodan — the most widely specified brand in UK new builds, with strong developer support programmes
- Vaillant aroTHERM — increasingly popular, particularly with their R290 models
- Daikin Altherma — common in higher-specification developments
- Samsung — gaining market share on competitive pricing
- Grant Aerona3 — popular with smaller developers and self-builders
Premium developers tend to specify higher-end brands with better controls and quieter operation, while volume builders often prioritise cost and standardisation. As a buyer, it is worth asking which brand and model is being installed — not all heat pumps are equal.
New-Build Heat Pump Performance
New-build homes are ideally suited to heat pumps. They are built to high insulation standards, have airtight construction, and can be designed from the outset with appropriately sized radiators or underfloor heating operating at low flow temperatures.
Performance data from new-build heat pump installations, reported by Energy Systems Catapult, shows consistently higher COPs than retrofit installations.
| Metric | New Build | Retrofit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average seasonal COP | 3.4–3.8 | 2.7–3.2 | +0.5–0.7 |
| Design flow temperature | 35–40°C | 40–55°C | Lower = more efficient |
| Annual heating cost (3-bed) | £350–550 | £600–900 | 30-40% lower |
| EPC rating | A or B | Varies (C-E) | New builds start higher |
| Typical system size | 5–8 kW | 8–14 kW | Lower heat demand |
Source: Energy Systems Catapult electrification of heat trials and SAP calculation data from developer energy assessments.
The lower flow temperatures achievable in new builds — thanks to underfloor heating and well-insulated building envelopes — are the main reason for the efficiency advantage. A heat pump operating at 35°C flow temperature is significantly more efficient than one forced to operate at 50°C in a poorly insulated retrofit property.
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What New-Build Buyers Should Check
If you are buying a new-build home with a heat pump, there are specific things to verify before completing your purchase.
1. Brand and Model
Ask for the exact brand and model. Research it — check our brand comparison guide for independent assessments. Some developers install budget brands with shorter warranties and lower reliability.
2. System Design
Request the MCS design documentation showing the heat loss calculation, heat pump sizing, and flow temperature. A properly designed system matches the heat pump to your home's specific heat loss — oversizing or undersizing both reduce efficiency.
3. Hot Water Cylinder Size
New-build heat pump systems use a hot water cylinder (not a combi boiler). Check the cylinder size is adequate for your household — 170-200 litres for a 3-bed family home is typical. An undersized cylinder means running out of hot water.
4. Commissioning Certificate
The heat pump should be professionally commissioned by an MCS-certified engineer, with a commissioning certificate showing flow temperatures, COP at commissioning, and system settings. This is your proof that the system has been set up correctly.
5. Warranty and Aftercare
Check the warranty length (typically 5-7 years from the manufacturer, sometimes extended to 10) and who provides aftercare. Some developers leave buyers to arrange their own servicing; others include a maintenance package for the first 1-2 years.
6. Predicted Running Costs
The SAP calculation used for the EPC includes predicted energy costs. Ask for this data and compare it to our running cost guide to check it is realistic.
Running Costs in New Builds
New-build homes with heat pumps typically have the lowest heating costs of any UK property type. The combination of high insulation, airtight construction, correctly sized emitters, and efficient heat pump operation produces running costs that are dramatically lower than older homes.
Based on SAP data and real-world monitoring from developer pilot schemes, typical annual heating and hot water costs for new-build homes with heat pumps are:
- 2-bed flat/apartment: £200–350/year
- 3-bed semi-detached: £350–500/year
- 3-bed detached: £400–600/year
- 4-bed detached: £500–750/year
These figures assume standard electricity tariffs. Using a heat pump-specific tariff with lower off-peak rates can reduce costs by a further 15-25%. Adding solar panels — which some developers now offer as an option — can reduce costs even further.
Quality Concerns and Red Flags
Not all new-build heat pump installations are equal. Industry observers have flagged several quality concerns that buyers should be aware of.
- Inadequate commissioning — some developers rush commissioning or skip it entirely, leaving heat pumps running at factory default settings rather than optimised for the specific property
- Oversizing — installing a heat pump that is too large for the home. This causes short-cycling (the pump turns on and off frequently) which reduces efficiency and increases wear
- Undersized hot water cylinders — some cost-cutting developers install smaller cylinders that cannot meet household demand
- Poor handover — buyers not being shown how to operate their heat pump, leading to incorrect use (setting flow temperatures too high, for example)
- No maintenance plan — heat pumps need annual servicing, but many developers do not arrange ongoing maintenance
If you encounter any of these issues, our guide on how to complain about a heat pump installation can help you resolve them.
Scotland and Wales: Ahead of England
Scotland and Wales have both moved faster than England on decarbonising new-build heating.
Scotland introduced its New Build Heat Standard in April 2024, effectively banning gas boilers in new homes from that date. Scotland is now the UK nation with the highest proportion of new-build heat pump installations — approaching 100% of new homes.
Wales updated its Part L building regulations in 2023 with a requirement for a 37% reduction in carbon emissions compared to previous standards, pushing most developers toward heat pumps. The Welsh Government has signalled further tightening aligned with the Future Homes Standard timeline.
Northern Ireland is moving more slowly, with updated building regulations still under consultation, but the direction of travel is the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all new-build homes have heat pumps?
Not yet — approximately 40% as of 2025. The Future Homes Standard will make heat pumps effectively mandatory in new builds, pushing this toward 100%.
What is the Future Homes Standard?
Building regulations requiring 75-80% less carbon from new homes. Gas boilers cannot meet this target, making heat pumps or equivalent low-carbon heating effectively mandatory.
Which developers install the most heat pumps?
Bellway, Berkeley Group, and Barratt are among the leaders. Modular builders like Ilke Homes have been 100% heat pump for several years. The self-build sector also has high adoption rates.
Are new-build heat pumps good quality?
Quality varies. Ask about the brand, commissioning process, and warranty. Check our brand comparison to verify the model installed.
Do new-build buyers get the BUS grant?
No. The BUS grant is for existing homeowners only. The heat pump cost is included in the new-build house price.
What should I check about the heat pump when buying?
Check the brand, model, system design, hot water cylinder size, commissioning certificate, warranty terms, and predicted running costs.
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New Builds and the Heating Transition
New-build homes with heat pumps represent the future of UK housing — high efficiency, low running costs, and zero fossil fuel dependency. For existing homeowners, the BUS grant bridges the gap between new-build standards and retrofit reality. Whether you are buying new or upgrading an existing property, understanding costs, running costs, and installation requirements is essential. Combining a heat pump with solar panels brings existing homes closer to new-build efficiency levels.