Installers News: page 2
- January 2026
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.
- December 2025
Switch 4 Business Ltd listed as inactive on Energy Ombudsman dispute page
The Energy Ombudsman's dispute page lists the energy broker Switch 4 Business Ltd as inactive, with a membership period that ended on 31 December 2025.
MCS published updated standards for air-to-air heat pump implementation
MCS published updated heat pump standards in December 2025 covering air-to-air products and installations, the first step before the technology is fully implemented into its certification schemes.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to UK Government consultation on the energy ombudsman
Consumer Scotland has backed a four-week wait before householders can escalate an energy complaint to the Energy Ombudsman, and financial penalties for suppliers that ignore its decisions.
- October 2025
Government confirms MCS as sole certification scheme for clean heat measures under five schemes
DESNZ has confirmed it plans to mandate MCS as the sole certification scheme for clean heat measures across five government schemes, with MCS installers moving to a redeveloped scheme during 2026.
Which? urges government to remove heat pump adoption barriers
Which? has published Sustainability Tracker findings showing heat pump ownership among homeowners at three per cent and called on the government to remove the barriers holding consumers back.
B&Q Energy Saving Service has given tailored advice to more than 1,600 customers
Energy Saving Trust has reported that B&Q's Energy Saving Service, built on its Home Energy Efficiency Tool, has given tailored advice to more than 1,600 customers since launch.
Citizens Advice publishes paper calling for overhaul of retrofit consumer protections
Citizens Advice has published a paper calling for an overhaul of consumer protections in the retrofit market, proposing independent advice, a single quality scheme and regulated redress.
Energy Saving Trust responds to Treasury consultation on VAT relief for energy saving materials
The Energy Saving Trust has told the Treasury that battery storage retrofitted to existing solar should be zero-rated for VAT, and that the relief should extend to EV chargepoints, thermal storage, water source heat pumps and smart heating controls.
MCS responds to DESNZ consultation on extending ECO4
MCS has published its response to the government consultation on extending ECO4, backing a nine-month extension with stronger consumer protections, as Consumer Scotland also files its own supportive response.
- September 2025
Updated MCS 020 compliance becomes mandatory for relevant PDR installations
Compliance with the updated MCS 020 sound standard became mandatory on 20 September 2025 for air source heat pumps installed under Permitted Development in England, following changes to size, siting and unit limits.
- August 2025
Guidance updated to require PAS 2030:2023 instead of PAS 2030:2019
Ofgem's ECO4 guidance moved to version 2.0 on 7 August 2025, replacing references to PAS 2030:2019 with PAS 2030:2023 across its chapters and application forms.
- July 2025
MCS launched a consultation on an air-to-air heat pump performance standard
MCS has opened a four-week consultation on a proposed standard and calculator tool for estimating the performance of air-to-air heat pump systems, with responses due by 6 August 2025.
Luthmore opens installer training registrations ahead of production later in 2025
Luthmore, founded by two former Dyson engineers, is taking registrations for installer training on its battery-powered boiler ahead of production starting later in 2025.
- June 2025
CPA publishes consumer guidance on protecting deposits paid to tradespeople
The Consumer Protection Association has published guidance on deposits paid to tradespeople, setting a ceiling of 25 per cent or £7,500 and warning against cash payments.
Citizens Advice publishes report on spray foam insulation mis-selling
Citizens Advice has published a report on mis-sold spray foam insulation, saying complaints have more than doubled in a year and calling for mandatory quality standards and a single ombudsman.
MCS submits response to DESNZ consultation
MCS has published its response to a two-part DESNZ consultation on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and on making MCS the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations.
Wish Energy Solution Ltd ceased trading
The Energy Ombudsman lists the energy broker Wish Energy Solution Ltd as inactive, with its membership of the ombudsman scheme ending on 2 June 2025.
NIBE showcases new S1156 PC, S1256 PC and S735C heat pumps at InstallerSHOW 2025
NIBE launched a direct-to-consumer heat pump installation route for air source systems and showed new ground source and exhaust air models at InstallerSHOW 2025.
- May 2025
Affected products scheduled to return to the MCS Product Directory
MCS has granted a six-month grace period for solar mounting products whose certification was withdrawn when the MCS 012 standard changed, with the products returning to the directory on 16 May.
Which? surveys Trusted Trader engineers on boiler repair costs
Which? asked 225 Trusted Trader heating engineers in May and June 2025 what they would charge in parts and labour to fix the 10 most common boiler faults.
- April 2025
MCS consumer protection consultation closes
MCS has closed a consultation on proposed changes to financial protection requirements for small-scale renewables, with the response to be published soon.
Government launches consultation on expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The government has opened a consultation on widening the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, and to allow third-party ownership finance alongside grants.
Gwresogi achieves MCS certification for solar PV, heat pumps and battery storage
Gwresogi, a Gwynedd installer founded in 2014, gained MCS certification in April 2025 covering solar PV, air source heat pumps and battery storage, according to an MCS case study.
MCS launches four-week consultation on financial protection requirements
MCS opened a four-week consultation in April 2025 on proposed financial protection requirements for its redeveloped scheme, drawing over 30 responses including from the CMA and DESNZ.
- March 2025
Uswitch updates new boiler costs and installation guide
Uswitch republished its new boiler cost and installation guide on 21 March 2025, listing installer offers, finance terms and typical installation prices for UK households.
MCS responds to DESNZ call for evidence on Ofgem review
MCS has backed a proposed extension of Ofgem's remit to enforce consumer law for low-carbon technologies, and asked to act as the regulator's delivery partner for small-scale renewables.