Powering Homes news, page 12
- April 2026
Connections Charging Statement effective from 1 April 2026
Cadent Gas has published a Connections Charging Statement effective from 1 April 2026, alongside standard pricing for domestic gas connection alterations in its East Midlands network.
Energy Systems Catapult responds to DESNZ Home Energy Model consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has told the government that Energy Performance Certificates should use real-world data and report outcomes rather than name specific technologies.
Future Now website launched with free Homewise tool access
The Future Now website has launched with advice on heat pumps and other energy technologies and free access to the Homewise tool, after the Peterborough Accelerated Net Zero project closed.
Government moves to break the link between gas and electricity prices
The government has announced voluntary long-term fixed-price contracts for existing low-carbon generators, a move intended to reduce how often gas sets the wholesale electricity price.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapWhere Our Energy Comes From
MCS Redeveloped Installer Scheme rollout began
Ofgem's Boiler Upgrade Scheme installer guidance confirms MCS is rolling out a redeveloped installer scheme through 2026 and into early 2027, alongside rule changes effective 28 April 2026.
Ofgem launches one-year lower standing charge tariff pilot
Ofgem has begun a one-year pilot under which four large suppliers offer eligible households lower standing charge tariffs, testing whether cutting the daily fixed fee changes how customers use energy.
Public EV charging cheaper than petrol or diesel for most drivers for first time in over a year
ChargeUK analysis of RAC Fuel Watch and Zapmap Price Index figures shows public charging at about 15p per mile against 17p for petrol and 17.5p for diesel, the first time in over a year it has been cheaper.
Publication of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026
BSI published BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 on 15 April 2026, adding a chapter on stationary battery storage and giving installers until 15 October 2026 before the previous edition is withdrawn.
Regulations come into force and scheme year 16 begins
The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2026 came into force on 1st April 2026, continuing the scheme to 2030 with a £150 rebate and a £78 million non-core spending obligation for scheme year 16.
Revised Flexi variable charges apply from 1 April 2026
ScottishPower has published revised variable cost values for its 2026 Flexi product, effective 1 April 2026, showing changes to unit rates and standing charges across network regions.
Rolling submissions for ECO4 to GBIS reassignment open
Ofgem will allow energy suppliers to make rolling submissions to reassign ECO4 delivery to the Great British Insulation Scheme from 30 April 2026, under guidance published for the scheme's final year.
Solis lists S6-EH3P(30-60)K-H(21A) storage inverter
Solis has listed the S6-EH3P(30-60)K-H(21A), a three phase high voltage storage inverter supporting PV input up to 100kW, in its inverter catalogue.
Updated Guaranteed Standards of Performance Customer Payment Scheme document published
National Grid Electricity Distribution has published the April 2026 edition of the Guaranteed Standards of Performance Customer Payment Scheme, setting out when households are owed money for lengthy power cuts.
WHD cost recovery moves to the unit rate from 1 April 2026
The government has confirmed that energy suppliers should recover Warm Home Discount costs from the unit rate for electricity and gas from 1 April 2026, moving the charge off the standing charge.
- March 2026
Cadent reports RIIO-2 fuel poverty figures as of 31 March 2026
Cadent has published fuel poverty and affordability figures correct as of 31 March 2026, reporting that it exceeded its RIIO-2 targets for advice, tools and Centres for Warmth.
Changes made to the Warm Home Discount Scheme in response to consultation
Ofgem has confirmed changes to the Warm Home Discount from April 2026, following a government consultation that closed in January 2026, with scheme year 16 opening on different dates in England, Wales and Scotland.
Current warm home discount regulations expire
The regulations underpinning the Warm Home Discount expire on 31 March 2026, with a 2025 instrument extending the period for issuing rebate notices and widening eligibility for winter 2025-26.
ECO4 Innovation applications stop being accepted
Ofgem has stopped accepting ECO4 Innovation Measure and Data Light Measure applications after 31 March 2026, though applications received before that date will still be considered.
Grants and SchemesRules and RegulationInsulation and Glazing
Innovation Measure and Data light Measure applications close
Ofgem has closed the ECO4 Innovation Measure and Data light Measure application routes, with no applications accepted after 31 March 2026, following amendments to the ECO4 Order.
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.