Powering Homes News: page 11
- March 2026
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.
Rules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes FromBoilers and Heating
Partial government response published
The government has published its partial response to the 2024 Energy Performance of Buildings consultation, confirming four new headline metrics for domestic EPCs and changes to when certificates are required.
Transition of existing businesses begins
NICEIC began moving certified installers onto the redeveloped MCS Installer scheme on 9 March 2026, with all new applicants assessed under the new rules from the same date.
Welsh Government issued circular WGC 003/2026
The Welsh Government has issued circular WGC 003/2026, setting out Building Regulations amendments that will require on-site renewable electricity generation on new homes in Wales from March 2027.
Launch of Future Homes Standard Ready campaign
The Future Homes Hub has launched a campaign to prepare homebuilders for the Future Homes Standard, which will be mandatory on homes where construction starts after March 2028.
SSEN becomes first Distribution Network Operator to use smart video surveys for connections
SSEN Distribution has become the first UK distribution network operator to use AI-powered smart video surveys, letting customers film their own properties to plan connection upgrades for heat pumps and EV chargers.
GBIS costs notice published
The government published a costs notice for the Great British Insulation Scheme on 2 March 2026, one of a series of updates to the scheme's official statistics collection.
Affordable Warmth Scheme extended to March 2026
The Affordable Warmth Scheme in Northern Ireland has been extended for a further two years, continuing until March 2026, with £14m available this year for energy efficiency works.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
Budget changes to bills to take effect in spring 2026
Budget changes to energy bills take effect in spring 2026, but average bills stay above winter 2020/2021 levels and the price cap's supplier profit allowance rises £1.51 per household.
Consultation response published and implementing regulations laid in Parliament
The Government has published its response to the 2023 Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation and laid regulations amending the Building Regulations 2010, with the standards due to come into force on 24 March 2027.
Cornwall Insight predicts higher July energy price cap
Cornwall Insight expects the July price cap to rise by around 10% to about £1,800 for the average household, reversing April's £117 fall as Middle East gas tensions feed through to bills.
ECO4 funding through bills stops after March 2026
Government funding for the Energy Company Obligation through household energy bills stopped after March 2026, and major suppliers have stopped advertising or accepting ECO4 applications.
Electrical Safety First publishes statement on plug-in solar following Future Homes Standard announcement
Electrical Safety First has published a statement on plug-in solar after the Government announced plans to widen their availability, warning that such systems are not currently permitted by regulations.
Energy Digitalisation Framework published
The government and Ofgem have published an Energy Digitalisation Framework, set out in a July 2026 update to the Clean Flexibility Roadmap, to coordinate the digital programmes underpinning household and business energy flexibility.
Fairer Warmth platform launched online
Surrey County Council has launched Fairer Warmth, an online platform that sits alongside its Energy Advice Tool and connects residents to national and local home energy support.
Fixed tariff availability fell from 39 to 20 during March
The number of fixed energy tariffs on the UK market fell from 39 to 20 between late February and 20 March as wholesale gas costs rose, with the cheapest deal up from £1,509 to £1,862 a year.
New Fronius battery warranty conditions apply to products purchased on or after 1 March 2026
Fronius has published new limited warranty conditions for its Reserva and Reserva Pro home batteries, applying to products purchased on or after 1 March 2026.
Future Homes Standard announced
The Future Homes Standard for new homes in England was published in March 2026, with a coming-into-force date of 24 March 2027 and a twelve-month transition period to March 2028.
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 announced plug-in solar available in UK shops within months
The government said in March 2026 that plug-in solar kits would reach UK shops within months, with regulations to be updated so households can connect sub-800W systems.
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.
Government to consult on reforming consumer protection for energy installations
The government will consult in 2026 on bringing oversight of energy efficiency and microgeneration installations for its schemes under closer government control, and on the role of the Warm Homes Agency.
Government publishes response to Approved Document O call for evidence
The Government has published its response to a call for evidence on Approved Document O, which covers overheating in homes, and announced a review of Part O alongside new building standards for England.
Rules and RegulationYour Type of HomeCooling and Air Conditioning
Great British Insulation Scheme closes to applications
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed to applications after the government declined to extend it beyond March 2026, ending supplier-funded insulation for lower council tax band homes.
Grants and SchemesInsulation and GlazingRules and Regulation
Household Support Fund extended to end of March 2026
The Household Support Fund, extended in the Spring Budget, will run until the end of March 2026, with councils deciding how the money is spent locally.
HPA UK forms through merger of three heat pump bodies
Three UK heat pump bodies have merged into a single organisation, HPA UK, which says it now represents over 350 members covering around 90 per cent of heat pumps sold in the UK market.
IGEM responds to Home Energy Model: EPC consultation opposing heating metric rating caps
IGEM has told DESNZ it disagrees with proposed Home Energy Model EPC rules that would cap ratings for fossil-fuel and hybrid heating and reserve A and B bands for electric cooking.
Nest crisis route for boiler repair or replacement scheduled to end
The Welsh Government has confirmed that the one-off crisis route within its Warm Homes Nest scheme, which helps eligible households with no heating or hot water, currently runs only until March 2026.
Grants and SchemesWhere to StartScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Number of new fixed tariffs fell
Ofgem reported that the number of new fixed tariffs on the market fell in March 2026, as suppliers withdrew some fixed deals and raised prices on others after wholesale gas prices doubled.
Ofgem publishes consultation with minded-to position of no further debt cost adjustment
Ofgem has set out a minded-to position not to add any further adjustment to the energy price cap for historical debt-related costs between April 2022 and June 2025.