Nothing on the walls. Heat only the rooms you use. Slim white PowerBoard panels on the ceiling warm people and everything in the room directly, instead of heating the air first. Supplied and installed across the UK.
The Future Homes Standard sets a Target Emission Rate for new-build dwellings that is 75 to 80 percent lower than the equivalent home built to 2013 Part L standards. To hit that target, the primary space heating system needs to have a significantly higher efficiency than direct electric resistance heating.
Air-source heat pumps with a seasonal COP of 2.5 or above are the most common solution. They extract heat from outdoor air and deliver three units of heat for roughly one unit of electricity consumed, which under the HEM carbon methodology produces a dramatically lower carbon rating than a direct electric system.
This does not mean infrared is irrelevant in new builds. It means the primary space heating load needs to be served by a heat pump, and PowerBoard becomes an excellent supporting layer within that system.
For the vast majority of PoweRad's customers, none of this is directly relevant. Existing homes, rental properties, heritage buildings, commercial properties, and all retrofit projects are unaffected by FHS. The relevant deadline for these properties is the EPC C obligation in 2030.
ASHP handles the primary load. PowerBoard panels in bathrooms, hallways, or rooms that need a quick top-up heat without cycling the whole ASHP system.
Where self-generated PV electricity powers PowerBoard panels during daylight hours, the net carbon contribution of those heating hours drops to near zero, improving the overall FHS compliance picture.
FHS applies to domestic new builds. Commercial buildings are governed by different regulations (Part L non-domestic) where PowerBoard is a fully viable primary solution.
If you own or are upgrading an existing property, FHS does not apply to you. The relevant deadline is the EPC C obligation:
Two separate regulatory changes are reshaping UK heating in parallel. Understanding which one applies to you is the first step.
24 March 2027
New-build developers only
1 April / 1 October 2030
Landlords and social housing providers
The typical FHS-compliant new-build heating specification places an air-source heat pump at the centre of the primary space heating system, delivering the seasonal COP required to meet the Target Emission Rate. PowerBoard then plays several valuable roles within that specification.
Bathroom and en-suite heating: Heat pumps do not deliver the quick, targeted warmth that bathrooms and en-suites need. A 500 W or 750 W PowerBoard panel provides instant warmth at the touch of a switch, without the running inefficiency of running the whole ASHP for a single room.
Solar PV diversion: FHS new builds typically include PV panels. Pairing PowerBoard with a solar PV diverter means excess solar generation goes directly into space heating rather than being exported at a low rate. This improves the overall energy and carbon performance of the dwelling and reduces residents' energy bills.
Hallways, utility rooms, and home offices: These spaces are often poorly served by the zones created for an ASHP system. PowerBoard panels give residents independent room-by-room control without the inefficiency of running a zone for a rarely used space.
For developers: We can provide a room-by-room PowerBoard specification for your FHS new-build designs, including wattage calculations, thermostat layouts, and PV diverter integration guidance. Contact us with your house type drawings.
FHS and the EPC C obligation are two different regulations affecting two different audiences. Here is a quick guide.
New-build developer
Future Homes Standard
Specify ASHP as primary heating. Add PowerBoard for supplementary rooms and solar PV integration.
Private landlord
EPC C by Oct 2030
Upgrade your rental property's heating to reach EPC C. PowerBoard is the least-disruptive route, done in a day while tenanted.
Housing association
EPC C by Apr 2030
Plan your 2030 compliance programme. Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Fusion21 framework available.
Homeowner
No mandatory deadline
FHS does not affect you. EPC C improves sale value and mortgage eligibility. PowerBoard is the most straightforward upgrade.
Tell us about your property: is it a new build, a rental, a heritage property, or your own home? We will point you to the right guide and can arrange a free remote survey if you are ready to move forward.