Powering Homes News: page 10
- March 2026
NICEIC stops offering PAS 2030 certification
NICEIC has stopped offering certification for PAS 2030 from 31 March 2026, saying all businesses it previously certified under the scheme have been informed.
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.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandBoilers and Heating
Three EV charging grants closed to customer applications
Three government electric vehicle charging grants closed to customer applications on 31 March 2026, while five other chargepoint schemes were extended to 31 March 2027 with higher grant rates.
Oxfordshire expands Warm Homes Local Grant support
Oxfordshire County Council says hundreds more households could receive fully funded insulation, low carbon heating and solar panels through the Warm Homes Local Grant, and warns residents about cold callers.
Average £150 of costs to come off energy bills from April
The government says policy changes have taken an average of £150 off household energy bills from April 2026, as Ofgem's price cap for 1 April to 30 June 2026 falls 7% to £1,641 for a typical direct debit household.
Warm Home Discount Regulations 2026 made with Treasury consent
The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2026 were made on 27th March 2026 with Treasury consent, continuing the scheme to 31st March 2030 and setting supplier spending obligations to scheme year 20.
Consultation on updating standards for local space heating products opens
The government has opened a consultation on replacing Great Britain's ecodesign rules for local space heating products, running from 25 March to 20 May 2026.
Ofgem opens call for input on adapting the energy price cap for MHHS
Ofgem has opened a call for input on how the wholesale allowance within the energy price cap should change to accommodate Market Wide Half-Hourly Settlement, with responses due by 5 May 2026.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Independence
Approved Document F (2026) first published
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published Approved Document F (2026), the statutory ventilation guidance supporting Part F of the Building Regulations 2010 in England.
Energy Ombudsman publishes guidance on energy bill debt support
The Energy Ombudsman has published guidance for households struggling with energy bills, setting out how financial difficulty is defined, what suppliers must offer and how to escalate a complaint.
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.
GOV.UK publishes RPC opinion on Future Homes and Buildings Standards impact assessments
The Regulatory Policy Committee rated the impact assessments behind the Future Homes and Buildings Standards as not fit for purpose, publishing its opinion on 25 March 2026.
Government announces acceleration of plug-in solar plans
The government published the Future Homes Standard on 24 March 2026 and said it would accelerate plans to make plug-in solar panels available in the UK within months.
Government confirms final tumble dryer standards with single 10 month transition
The government has confirmed final ecodesign and energy labelling rules for household tumble dryers in Great Britain, with a single 10 month transition and a review due by 9 December 2032.
NAPIT welcomes Future Homes Standard announcement
NAPIT has welcomed the Government's Future Homes Standard, saying it could create significant opportunities for members installing solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and electric vehicle chargers.
Energy digitalisation framework published
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ofgem have published a joint framework setting out how digitalisation of the energy system will be coordinated across England, Scotland and Wales.
Which? publishes response to DESNZ consultation on the Home Energy Model for EPCs
Which? has published its response to the government's consultation on the Home Energy Model for Energy Performance Certificates, welcoming reform while warning that accuracy problems and the 10 year validity period remain unaddressed.
Government response to tumble dryer product standards consultation published
The government has confirmed new Ecodesign and Energy Labelling rules for household tumble dryers in Great Britain, phasing out less efficient vented, gas and condenser models in favour of heat pump machines.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ consultation on the Home Energy Model: EPCs
Citizens Advice has responded to the DESNZ consultation on the Home Energy Model for EPCs, backing the modular approach in principle while raising concerns on data standards, costs and electric storage heating.
Energy Systems Catapult publishes response to DESNZ load control licence consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has published its response to the government's consultation on draft load control licence regulations, calling for a proportionate, risk-based approach that targets only those who control load.
DWP to amend Crisis and Resilience Fund scheme guidance for heating oil price crisis support
The Department for Work and Pensions will amend Crisis and Resilience Fund guidance so councils can help households in crisis from rising heating oil prices, backed by £53 million across the UK.
FAQ page on switching, tariffs and bills updated
Smart Energy GB has updated its consumer FAQ page on switching supplier, tariffs and bills, restating that smart meter owners can switch in the same way as anyone with a traditional meter.
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.
Rules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes FromBoilers and Heating
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.
Rules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes FromBoilers and Heating
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.
Welsh Government statement on rising energy costs from Middle East conflict
The Welsh Government has set out its response to energy costs rising after the Middle East conflict, welcoming an oil reserve release and a heating oil review and pointing households to Nest advice.
CCC publishes report on cost of Net Zero versus fossil fuel price shocks
The Climate Change Committee says the total extra cost of reaching Net Zero by 2050 is likely to be no larger than the cost of one fossil fuel price shock on the scale of 2022.
Click Energy and Share Energy electricity tariffs to rise from 1 April 2026
Click Energy will raise its electricity tariff by 9.5% and Share Energy by 26.4% from 1 April 2026, the Consumer Council has announced.
Ofgem announced approval of Tesla Energy Ventures Limited's electricity supply licence
Ofgem has granted Tesla Energy Ventures Limited a licence to supply electricity to households and businesses across Great Britain, effective from 11 March 2026.
Smart Metering Policy Framework Post 2025 laid before parliament
The government has published its response to the 2025 smart metering consultation, confirming a 90-day supplier duty on non-communicating meters and rollout completion by the end of 2030.