Installers news from 2026
39 stories, newest first
- October 2026
Budget ends zero-rated VAT for solar panels from April 2027
The 2026 Budget leaves zero-rated VAT for energy saving materials, including solar panels fitted to homes, unextended beyond the end of March 2027, alongside cuts to warm homes funding.
Chancellor did not extend 0% VAT rate at the Budget
Chancellor John Healey did not extend the 0% VAT rate on heat pumps, solar panels and solar batteries at the Budget, so installations will carry 5% VAT from 1 April 2027.
Warm Home Loans scheme launches across the UK
The government-backed Warm Homes Loan Scheme opened on 27 October 2026, offering interest-free and low-interest loans of up to £35,000 for heat pumps, solar panels and batteries across the UK.
MCS launches four-week consultation on new Battery Storage Product Standard
MCS has opened a four-week consultation on its draft Battery Storage Product Standard, MCS 042, with comments due by 11:59pm on Tuesday 10 November 2026.
- September 2026
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.
MCS sets out consumer protection under redeveloped installer Scheme
MCS has set out the consumer protections that will apply under its redeveloped installer Scheme, including in-house complaints handling, free binding dispute resolution and financial protection of at least six years.
UKAS approves MCS Installer scheme updates for air-to-air heat pumps
UKAS has approved updates to the redeveloped MCS Installer scheme to incorporate air-to-air heat pumps, allowing MCS to begin accrediting certification bodies for the technology.
Voco Tech Solutions Ltd joins Energy Ombudsman scheme
Voco Tech Solutions Ltd has joined the Energy Ombudsman scheme, giving its customers in Great Britain access to independent dispute resolution from 2 September 2026.
- August 2026
MCS strengthens Product Scheme with new appointment
MCS has announced a new appointment to strengthen its Product Scheme, the certification route that underpins product quality for small-scale renewables in UK homes.
Grace period begins for MCS 005 solar PV products
MCS has opened a six-month grace period for solar PV products that lose certification under updated standards, allowing existing stock to be used in certified installations until 1 February 2027.
- July 2026
HIES unveils refreshed brand identity and new website
HIES, the home insulation and energy systems quality assured contractors scheme, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity and new website, calling it the next stage in its evolution.
Energy-saving materials 0% VAT relief end date added
HM Revenue and Customs has updated its VAT guidance to state that energy-saving materials installed in homes carry 0% VAT relief only until 31 March 2027.
Lisa Cooke appointed MCS Managing Director
Lisa Cooke, currently MCS Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Ian Rippin as Managing Director of the UK certification body for small-scale renewables from 1 August 2026.
- June 2026
Viessmann launches Vitocal 200-A ie heat pump in the UK
Viessmann has launched the Vitocal 200-A ie air-to-water heat pump for UK homes at InstallerSHOW in Birmingham, with outputs from 4 to 12 kW and availability this autumn.
Power Savings Network Limited registered with Ombudsman scheme
Power Savings Network Limited has been listed as an active supplier covered by the Energy Ombudsman from 22 June 2026, giving its customers access to the dispute service.
Consultation launched on reforming consumer protection for home upgrade schemes
The government has opened a consultation on a single consumer protection service for home upgrades, alongside higher repair cover for faulty solid wall insulation and faster Energy Ombudsman decisions.
DESNZ announces reforms to improve access to Energy Ombudsman
The government has set out reforms to the Energy Ombudsman, cutting the time householders must wait before escalating a complaint and adding compensation when remedies are not carried out on time.
Government responds to consultation on strengthening energy supply market protections
The government has responded to its consultation on energy supply market protections, committing to stronger Energy Ombudsman powers and easier automatic referral for complaining households.
IAA raises repair cover for ECO4 and GBIS solid wall insulation to £25,000
The Installation Assurance Authority has raised its repair cover for faulty ECO4 and GBIS solid wall insulation to £25,000, up from £20,000, as ministers consult on a new consumer protection service.
Which? responds to Government consultation following botched insulation schemes
Which? has told a Government consultation that stronger consumer protections, qualified installers and cost-free redress are needed to restore trust after past insulation schemes.
Retailers join government plans for plug-in solar and consultation launched
Retailers including B&Q, Currys, Amazon and Lidl have joined government plans for plug-in solar, as DESNZ opened a consultation on enforcing safe consumer installation rules.
- May 2026
BUS Extension summary business case published
The government has published the summary business case supporting investment in extending the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2029/30, meeting a transparency requirement introduced in June 2025.
Aira profile updated with May 2026 company description
Aira's Which? Trusted Traders profile now carries a May 2026 company description setting out its all-inclusive heat pump plan and 15-Year Aira Guarantee.
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.
MCS Customer Insights team to contact selected customers from May 2026
MCS will begin contacting selected households with certified renewable installations from May 2026 to verify certificates and check satisfaction, but only where customers have agreed to be contacted.
Nexcharge Solutions Limited ceases trading
The Energy Ombudsman lists Nexcharge Solutions Limited as an inactive energy broker, with its trading period recorded as ending on 1 May 2026.
- April 2026
Enersol Tech Ltd trading period ends
The Energy Ombudsman's page for Enersol Tech Ltd records the broker's trading period as ending on 30 April 2026, with its membership status listed as inactive.
Green Pulse Energy listed as inactive by Energy Ombudsman
The Energy Ombudsman now records Green Pulse Energy as inactive, with its membership of the dispute scheme ending on 30 April 2026 after a period beginning 9 April 2025.
BUS Installer Guidance V5 applies from 28 April 2026
Ofgem's version 5 installer guidance for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme applies to applications properly made from 28 April 2026, dropping the EPC requirement and adding a £2,500 air-to-air grant.
Impression Energy Limited becomes inactive
The Energy Ombudsman now lists the broker Impression Energy Limited as inactive, with a trading period that ended on 27 April 2026.
B Switch Ltd shown as inactive on Energy Ombudsman record
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded B Switch Ltd as inactive, with the broker's membership of its dispute scheme ending on 24 April 2026 after less than six months.
MCS Redeveloped Installer Scheme rollout began
Ofgem's Boiler Upgrade Scheme installer guidance confirms MCS is rolling out a redeveloped installer scheme through 2026 and into early 2027, alongside rule changes effective 28 April 2026.
- March 2026
Welsh Government sets out support for householders affected by ECO closure and CES ceasing trading
The Welsh Government has set out support routes for households affected by the closure of the Energy Company Obligation scheme and the collapse of installer Consumer Energy Solutions.
- February 2026
Outreach to extend to all MCS certified installations under redeveloped installer Scheme
MCS will contact every household that receives an MCS certified installation, across all technologies and funding routes, as its redeveloped installer Scheme rolls out through 2026 and into 2027.
- January 2026
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.
First universal grants for heat batteries and air-to-air heat pumps announced
The Government has set out a £15 billion Warm Homes Plan, including a first universal £2,500 grant for heat batteries and air-to-air heat pumps alongside £7,500 for conventional heat pumps.
Solarfair Ltd trading as Ekinect Energy recorded as inactive
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded Solarfair Ltd, trading as the energy broker Ekinect Energy, as inactive, with its membership of the scheme ending on 7 January 2026.
Comprehensive assessment of the MCS Customer Commitment expected in early 2026
The government expects to assess the MCS Customer Commitment in early 2026 before deciding whether to recognise it as a consumer code for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Existing Targets Framework to cease to have effect
The four-year smart meter Targets Framework ends on 1 January 2026, with no further annual installation targets set for suppliers, under post-2025 proposals from the government.