Powering Homes news, page 11
- April 2026
Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2026 consented
Treasury consent was given on 29th April 2026 to regulations continuing the Warm Home Discount in Scotland to 31st March 2031, with a £150 rebate and supplier obligations set out in law.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
BUS eligibility expanded and £2,500 AAHP grant introduced
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme was expanded on 28 April 2026 to cover multi-technology installations and air-to-air heat pumps at £2,500, with a valid EPC no longer required and grants deducted from upfront costs.
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.
EPC no longer required as a standing eligibility criterion from 28 April 2026
Ofgem has removed the requirement for a valid EPC as a standing eligibility criterion for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme from 28 April 2026, with alternative evidence accepted where no certificate exists.
Rules and RegulationGrants and SchemesInsulation and Glazing
MCS published an implementation update for air-to-air heat pumps
MCS has set out the remaining steps before air-to-air heat pumps can be certified under its installer and product Schemes, with £2,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grants following once implementation is complete.
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.
KD Pathways trading period ends
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded the energy broker KD Pathways as inactive, with its trading period listed as 7 August 2024 to 24 April 2026.
Xcel Energy Ltd recorded as inactive by Energy Ombudsman
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded Xcel Energy Ltd as inactive, with its membership of the dispute scheme ending on 24 April 2026 after three years and four months.
Energy Saving Trust published its response to the Welsh Government’s Building Regulations Part L and F Review: Stage 2B
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response to the Welsh Government's Building Regulations Part L and F Review Stage 2B, covering energy efficiency in non-domestic buildings and overheating in new homes.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response on ecodesign requirements for air heating and cooling products
The Energy Saving Trust has backed UK standards aligning with revised EU ecodesign rules for air heating and cooling products, calling for wider scope, clearer labels and faster access to spare parts.
Product safety report published for Sigenergy SigenStor Energy Controller quick connect AC plug
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has published a product safety report for the Sigenergy SigenStor Energy Controller with quick connect AC plug, citing a risk of burns from overheating.
Government publishes final report of the review of Ofgem
The Government has published the final report of its review of Ofgem, setting out reforms to the regulator's duties, enforcement powers, capability and accountability.
DESNZ announces Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding increase for oil and LPG users
DESNZ has raised the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant to £9,000 for oil and LPG heated homes in England and Wales, matching Scotland, with the uplift applying to applications from 21 July 2026.
Energy Secretary sets out clean energy superpower plans
The government has set out the first major reform of Ofgem's remit since 2000, giving the regulator direct consumer law enforcement powers and the ability to ban energy bosses' bonuses.
Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition Round 2 opens
The second round of the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition opened on 21 April 2026 and runs to 5 August 2026, offering £90 million for UK heat pump manufacturing.
New electric cars cheaper than petrol equivalents on average for first time
Autotrader analysis of advertised prices after discounts finds the average new electric car priced £785 below the average new petrol model, the first time new EVs have been cheaper on average.
GivEnergy Ltd ends hardware warranties and software support
The administrator of GivEnergy Ltd has confirmed the company has ceased trading, that no further hardware warranties will be honoured and that user and software support has ended.
Zapmap updates guide to electric car charging times
Zapmap has updated its guide to electric car charging times, setting out how charger power, vehicle limits and temperature affect how long a session takes.
Energy UK and BFY Group publish Demand Better report calling for retail energy market reset
Energy UK and BFY Group have published Demand Better, a report calling for a reset of the retail energy market to deliver flexibility, dynamic pricing and stronger consumer protections.
MCS reported progress towards implementing air-to-air heat pumps
MCS has set out competency rules and standards changes for certifying air-to-air heat pumps, with installers needing Level 3 refrigeration competence and certification bodies seeking UKAS accreditation.
Windfall Energy prepares to open pre-orders for first limited run of Windfall Batteries
Windfall Energy says it is about to open pre-orders for a first limited production run of its plug-in home battery, aimed at flats and rental homes that cannot fit solar or conventional batteries.
British Gas Energy Trust highlights up to £1,700 grants for prepayment meter customers in debt
The British Gas Energy Trust has publicised grants of up to £1,700 for prepayment meter customers in energy debt in England, Scotland and Wales, open regardless of who supplies their energy.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
GivEnergy Ltd enters administration with Chris Brooksbank of CB Business Recovery appointed as Administrator
GivEnergy Ltd, a UK supplier of home batteries and inverters, entered administration on 9 April 2026, ceased trading and made all employees redundant, with hardware warranties no longer honoured.
Amended Approved Documents published ahead of Future Homes and Buildings Standard
Amended Approved Documents L and F for England have been published ahead of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, with the main provisions coming into force on 24th March 2027.
Welsh Government publishes Approved Document L 2026 and Approved Document F Volume 1
The Welsh Government has published Approved Document L 2026 Volumes 1 and 2 and Approved Document F, Ventilation, Volume 1, setting new build fabric and ventilation standards for Wales.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme confirmed at £400 million for 2026 to 2027
The Secretary of State has confirmed a Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget of £400 million for 2026 to 2027, covering England and Wales.
BUS grant uplifted to £9,000 for heating oil and LPG users
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for homes heated by oil or LPG has risen to £9,000, £1,500 more than the standard rate, with the change expected to take effect in July 2026.
Citizens Advice published its response on the future role of DNOs
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem that the evidence does not yet justify giving electricity distribution network operators a bigger role in energy efficiency and low carbon technologies.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersWhere Our Energy Comes From
Clean Heat Market Mechanism target begins
From 1 April 2026 boiler and heating appliance manufacturers must meet 6% of their sales with heat pumps or buy credits under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.