Insulation and Glazing News: page 2
- October 2025
Energy Saving Trust responds to EPC reform consultation
Energy Saving Trust has told DESNZ it backs a cost per square metre metric, a carbon-based heating metric and smart readiness on EPCs, while opposing energy use and separate carbon metrics.
Great British Insulation Scheme closed to new applicants
The Great British Insulation Scheme, which offered free or discounted insulation to households, closed to new applicants in October 2025, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
NAO report uncovers serious failings in ECO and GBIS
The National Audit Office found serious failings in home insulation funded by the Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme, with external wall insulation the worst affected.
National Audit Office releases report on energy efficiency installations under the Energy Company Obligation
The National Audit Office has published a report on failures with solid wall insulation installed under the Energy Company Obligation, drawing a call from the Energy Saving Trust for stronger consumer protection.
- August 2025
PRS Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards consultation closes
The Scottish Government's consultation on a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard for privately rented homes closed on 29 August 2025, with regulations planned for October 2026.
ECIU analysis finds poorly insulated homes £570 worse off under price cap
Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds homes rated EPC Band F pay £570 more a year than Band C homes under October 2025 price cap prices, with around half a million homes affected.
Welsh Government opens consultation on Part L 2025 review
The Welsh Government opened a consultation on 26 August 2025 on changes to Building Regulations Part L, Part F and Part O and their Approved Document guidance, covering energy efficiency in new and existing buildings.
Consumer Scotland responds to Scottish Government PRS MEES consultation
Consumer Scotland has told the Scottish Government it broadly supports a minimum energy efficiency standard for privately rented homes, with compliance from 2028 and a backstop of 2033.
HEETSA and PRS MEES consultations closed
Two Scottish Government consultations, one on a proposed Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment and one on a private rented sector minimum energy efficiency standard, closed at the end of August 2025.
Welsh Government consultation version issued
The Welsh Government has published a consultation version of Approved Document L Volume 1 for dwellings, proposing the Home Energy Model in place of SAP and a 2026 start date.
- July 2025
Government updates House on systemic issues in solid wall insulation delivery under ECO4 and GBIS
The Government has told the House that solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS shows widespread, systemic failures, with 92% of audited external wall installations carrying a major technical non-compliance.
- June 2025
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.
Energy Systems Catapult publishes report on accelerating energy improvements in the private rental sector
Energy Systems Catapult has published a report calling for outcome-based minimum energy efficiency standards, local one-stop retrofit shops, tailored financing and a digital building passport for privately rented homes.
Consumer Scotland publishes report on converting Scotland's home heating
Consumer Scotland has published an investigation into consumer protections in Scotland's insulation and low-carbon home heating sector, with MCS welcoming its call for a single standards body and a single redress route.
PRS Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards consultation opens
The Scottish Government has consulted on regulations that would require privately rented homes in Scotland to reach EPC Heat Retention Rating band C from 2028 for new tenancies and by 2033 for all lets.
Spending Review 2025 commits to the Warm Homes Plan
The 2025 Spending Review commits a further £13.2 billion to the Warm Homes Plan between 2025-26 and 2029-30, funding insulation, heating and solar upgrades intended to cut household bills.
- May 2025
Energy Systems Catapult responds to DESNZ consultation on privately rented homes energy performance
Energy Systems Catapult has backed government proposals to raise the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C from 2030, in a consultation response published on 15 May 2025.
UK Government consultation on EPC band C for PRS closes
The UK Government consultation on requiring privately rented homes in England and Wales to reach EPC band C before being let closed on 2 May 2025, with the standard proposed from 2028.
- April 2025
Minister confirms Heat in Buildings Bill and PRS MEES commitment
The Scottish Government has confirmed it will bring forward a Heat in Buildings Bill and introduce minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes using existing powers in the Energy Act 2011.
- March 2025
E3G publishes report on enforcing energy efficiency standards for private renters in England and Wales
E3G has published a report finding that enforcement of energy efficiency standards for private renters in England and Wales is undermined by underfunding, weak legislation and inaccessible data.
Government confirms no financial assistance for spray foam removal
The government has confirmed there is no public money for removing spray foam insulation, pointing homeowners to installers or insurance-backed guarantees instead.
- February 2025
Consultation opened on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
The government has published its response to a consultation on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C by 2030.
Energy UK responds to Government consultation on EPC reform
Energy UK has responded to the Government's consultation on reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings regime in England and Wales, backing four new EPC metrics and faster progress.
Government consults on reforming EPCs with new metrics
The government is consulting on reforming Energy Performance Certificates, proposing a primary fabric performance standard with a secondary standard based on smart readiness or heating system efficiency.
PCA and HOA call on government to review spray foam in schemes
The Property Care Association and Home Owners Alliance have asked the government to review whether spray foam insulation should stay within government insulation schemes, citing continuing problems for homeowners.
- January 2025
Lords debate on ECO4 and insulation schemes
Peers pressed the government on 29 January over suspended installers, who pays for repairs if firms fail, and how 65,000 households will be told about faulty solid wall insulation.
DESNZ issues statement about potential issues with ECO and GBIS installations
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has issued a statement on potential problems with Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme installations, Ofgem has confirmed.
Government announces action against unreliable installers
Which? has welcomed joint government and Ofgem action to secure repairs for households affected by poor insulation work and urged ministers to set a date for mandatory installer certification.
UK Government announces action on poor quality solid wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS
The UK Government has announced action over poor quality solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS, including suspending installers, with affected households to be contacted by Ofgem.
Government announces letters to solid wall insulation householders under ECO4 and GBIS
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP has told the House of Commons that letters will go to householders whose homes had solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 or the Great British Insulation Scheme, with Ofgem running the mailout.