Boilers and Heating news from 2026
37 stories, newest first
- October 2026
Budget confirms Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding for 2027-28
The Budget of 28 October 2026 confirmed Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants of £7,500, or £9,000 for homes on oil or LPG, for 2027-28, while capping annual scheme funding at £400 million.
Benchmark commissioning and servicing records move to digital
The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council has urged homeowners to download and keep their heating appliance's digital Benchmark commissioning and servicing record, after the paper checklist was retired.
Government publishes response to CMA heating oil market study
The government has accepted the Competition and Markets Authority's recommendation to regulate the heating oil market for the first time, promising stronger consumer protections for households.
Octopus Energy published boiler flow temperature guidance
Octopus Energy has published guidance suggesting combi boiler flow temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees, with a saving of up to £65 cited, as Nesta puts the average saving at £57.
- September 2026
Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme extended into winter
The Scottish Government has extended the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme beyond its initial six months, keeping support open for low-income households using heating oil and LPG over winter.
Final evaluation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme published
The government has published the final evaluation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, covering property owners' experiences, satisfaction with low carbon heating systems and the scheme's value for money.
OFTEC responds to consumer protection consultation for home upgrade schemes
OFTEC has told a government consultation that consumer protections for home heating work should cover every household, not only government funded jobs, and that competent person scheme registration should be mandatory.
Record number of heat pump grant applications in England and Wales
Nesta says Department for Energy Security and Net Zero statistics show a record number of households in England and Wales applying for Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants, driven by oil and gas price rises.
Heating oil spot price up 95.3 per cent year on year
EUA reports the heating oil spot price at 102.3p per litre on 14 September 2026, up 95.3 per cent on the same day last year and above the 12-month average of 77.8p.
- July 2026
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant increased from £7,500 to £9,000
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for eligible off-gas grid homes in England and Wales rose from £7,500 to £9,000 on 21 July 2026, a 20% increase aimed at households heating with oil or LPG.
Higher BUS grant for oil and LPG replacements starts
Households in England and Wales heating with oil or LPG can claim a £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for an air-to-water or ground source heat pump from July 2026, up from £7,500.
RTS meters being phased out in stages
The Energy Saving Trust says the Radio Teleswitch Service is being phased out in stages and that households with an RTS meter should contact their energy supplier to arrange a replacement.
- June 2026
Which? updates best oil filled radiators review
Which? has updated its best oil filled radiators review, with pricing and availability last checked in June 2026 and running costs based on the current energy price cap unit price of 25.73p per kilowatt hour.
- May 2026
MCS 020a to become the only permitted certification scheme for air source heat pumps
From 28 May 2026 the MCS 020a planning standard becomes the only certification scheme accepted for air source heat pump installations under permitted development rights in England.
Consultation on updating standards for local space heating products closes
A government consultation on replacing ecodesign rules for local space heaters in Great Britain closed on 20 May 2026, with officials now analysing the responses.
Baxi launches new range of wireless heating controls led by AmbiZen Smart Control
Baxi has introduced a wireless heating control range compatible with its air source heat pumps, boilers and cylinders, led by the AmbiZen Smart Control with app-based scheduling and energy monitoring.
Baxi launches Care Kits and Care Kits Plus for preventative boiler maintenance
Baxi has launched two ranges of preventative maintenance kits containing high-wear boiler components, which it recommends fitting during annual servicing and at three to five year intervals.
- April 2026
DESNZ announces Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding increase for oil and LPG users
DESNZ has raised the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant to £9,000 for oil and LPG heated homes in England and Wales, matching Scotland, with the uplift applying to applications from 21 July 2026.
Budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme confirmed at £400 million for 2026 to 2027
The Secretary of State has confirmed a Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget of £400 million for 2026 to 2027, covering England and Wales.
BUS grant uplifted to £9,000 for heating oil and LPG users
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for homes heated by oil or LPG has risen to £9,000, £1,500 more than the standard rate, with the change expected to take effect in July 2026.
Clean Heat Market Mechanism target begins
From 1 April 2026 boiler and heating appliance manufacturers must meet 6% of their sales with heat pumps or buy credits under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.
- March 2026
Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme opens for applications
The Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme has opened to applications, paying £300 directly to the oil or LPG supplier of eligible low-income and vulnerable households in Scotland.
Future Homes Standard full technical specification published
The full technical specification of the Future Homes Standard was published on 24 March 2026, setting low carbon heating and solar requirements for new homes in England from 2027 and 2028.
Government to explore regulation of the heating oil market
The Government has committed over £50 million to help low-income households that use heating oil and will explore regulating a market it says is not functioning properly.
CMA announces detailed examination of the whole heating oil market
The Competition and Markets Authority will take forward a detailed examination of the whole heating oil market at pace, the government has confirmed alongside over £50 million of support for households.
Energy Secretary and Minister Shanks write to heating oil industry warning of increased prices
The Energy Secretary and Minister Shanks wrote jointly to the heating oil industry on 9 March warning of increased prices and of action to protect consumers.
Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard regulations announced
Regulations giving effect to the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard were announced in March 2026, requiring low-carbon heating and solar panels in most new buildings in England from 2027 or 2028.
Government announces £53 million support package for heating oil households
The government has announced a £53 million support package for households that heat with oil, a fuel outside the Ofgem price cap, after prices rose sharply.
- February 2026
Heating oil prices rise almost 110% in a week
Heating oil prices rose by almost 110% in a week after strikes on Iran, prompting a £53 million government support package and warnings that bulk fuel deliveries are rarely inspected.
Which? survey finds most owners of older heating systems unprepared for replacement
A Which? survey of homeowners whose heating systems are more than eight years old found three in four had made no preparation for replacing them, with many saying they would wait until the system breaks.
Nesta publishes report on air-to-air heat pumps for UK homes
Nesta has published research concluding that air-to-air heat pumps are an equally viable way to cut emissions from home heating as air-to-water systems for almost all UK homes.
Home Energy Model launch delayed and will not coincide with Future Homes Standard
The government has delayed the launch of the Home Energy Model so it will not arrive with the Future Homes Standard, leaving SAP 10.3 as the sole approved methodology at first.
Oil heated homes reach 12,000 consultation submissions
OFTEC reports more than 12,000 submissions from oil heated homes to the government's Alternative Clean Heating consultation, with days left before it closes.
- January 2026
CIBSE launches Domestic Heating Design Guide 2026
CIBSE has published the 11th edition of its Domestic Heating Design Guide, setting out practical guidance for designing domestic heating and hot water systems in UK homes.
Future Homes Standard publication confirmed for Q1 2026
The Warm Homes Plan confirms the Future Homes Standard will be published in the first quarter of 2026, alongside £15 billion to upgrade five million homes by 2030.
Stelrad updates heat loss calculator and radiator sizing software
Stelrad has upgraded every version of its heat loss calculator and radiator sizing software, adding electric and conventional heating options and updated NHBC and CIBSE figures for installers, specifiers and homeowners.
Government publishes Warm Homes Plan covering off-gas-grid homes
The January 2026 Warm Homes Plan set out its approach to homes off the gas grid under a rural communities heading, with Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants at the centre of the discussion.