Powering Homes News: page 13
- February 2026
Assessment period for the first 2026 price cap ends
The assessment window for the energy price cap that takes effect on 1 April 2026 closed on 17 February 2026, meaning later wholesale market movements will not feed into the level Ofgem announces.
Nesta publishes report on air-to-air heat pumps for UK homes
Nesta has published research concluding that air-to-air heat pumps are an equally viable way to cut emissions from home heating as air-to-water systems for almost all UK homes.
The Great Energy Savings Switch collective switch ends
Uswitch's Great Energy Savings Switch, a collective switch open to eligible customers from mid-January, closed to new registrations on 16 February 2026, with winning tariffs yet to be announced.
Heat pumps join UK Power Networks flexibility market
UK Power Networks has integrated more than 6,000 heat pumps into its Localflex flexibility trading platform, with simplified payment rules and approval times cut to a single day.
RPC gives red rating to Future Homes and Buildings Standards impact assessments
The Regulatory Policy Committee rated the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's impact assessments for the Future Homes and Buildings Standards as red, meaning not fit for purpose.
Energy Systems Catapult responds to DESNZ energy smart appliances consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has published its response to the government's consultation on first phase energy smart appliance regulations, calling for definitions that can adapt as technology changes.
Government response to WHD cost recovery consultation published
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, rather than the standing charge.
Which? responds to record-breaking heat pump installations
Which? has welcomed record heat pump installation numbers but says high upfront costs, weak advice and gaps in consumer protection still hold households back.
Home Energy Model launch delayed and will not coincide with Future Homes Standard
The government has delayed the launch of the Home Energy Model so it will not arrive with the Future Homes Standard, leaving SAP 10.3 as the sole approved methodology at first.
SSEN and Policy in Practice launch partnership to embed PSR eligibility into benefit checks
SSEN and Policy in Practice have embedded Priority Services Register eligibility prompts into the Better Off benefit calculator, so advisers can register eligible households during routine benefit checks.
Energy Ombudsman warns of increase in scam emails impersonating it and suppliers
The Energy Ombudsman has published guidance on a rise in fraudulent emails that impersonate it and some suppliers, telling recipients a complaint has been reviewed and pressing them to complete forms.
Government response published confirming ECO4 Order amendment
The government has published its response to a consultation on amending the ECO4 Order, confirming that the Order will be changed to name the government grants from which ECO4 measures cannot receive money.
LuxpowerTek publishes 2026 global inverter warranty terms
LuxpowerTek has published its 2026 global warranty terms for inverters and batteries, covering products bought and installed from April 2024 onwards.
BEAMA publishes response to Energy Smart Appliance Regulations consultation
BEAMA has responded to all five sections of the DESNZ consultation on Energy Smart Appliance Regulations, raising concerns over timelines, metering, cyber security and randomised delay.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ consultation on Phase 1 Energy Smart Appliances regulations
Citizens Advice has published a broadly supportive response to the government's consultation on first phase Energy Smart Appliances regulations, setting conditions on accessibility, accountability, interoperability and transparency.
Northern Ireland announces Warm Healthy Homes Fund launching 2027
Northern Ireland's Department for Communities has opened a consultation on a Warm Healthy Homes Fund, due to launch in 2027 with £150 million of investment over its first five years.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
Citizens Advice publishes State of the Smart report on consumer experiences of smart meters
Citizens Advice has published State of the Smart, a report on consumer experiences of smart meters, calling for enforceable in-home display replacement standards, a six-month back-billing window and a new test of whether a meter works.
Oil heated homes reach 12,000 consultation submissions
OFTEC reports more than 12,000 submissions from oil heated homes to the government's Alternative Clean Heating consultation, with days left before it closes.
Domestic battery installations resume under WH:SHF
Domestic battery installations alongside solar panels have resumed under the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund from 2 February 2026, after an interim solution was developed to fill a gap in product standards.
Outreach to extend to all MCS certified installations under redeveloped installer Scheme
MCS will contact every household that receives an MCS certified installation, across all technologies and funding routes, as its redeveloped installer Scheme rolls out through 2026 and into 2027.
First three smart meter GSOPs come into force
The first three smart meter Guaranteed Standards of Performance, covering installation timeliness, installation quality and issue resolution, came into force in February 2026, the Smart DCC has confirmed.
UK government announces consultation on expanding permitted development for heat pumps
Nesta has welcomed a UK government plan to consult this year on widening permitted development rights for heat pumps, as its research sets out the delays and costs households face.
Green Gas Taskforce publishes Bio-Hybrids report with Cadent and Guidehouse
The Green Gas Taskforce, with Cadent and Guidehouse, has published a report finding biomethane boilers paired with air source heat pumps are the lowest-cost clean heat option for 30 to 45 percent of homes.
Nesta publishes ten recommendations to cut heat pump installation sludge
Nesta has published ten recommendations for the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments to remove administrative and cost barriers that slow household heat pump installations across Great Britain.
Ofgem announced a one-year pilot of lower standing charges starting in April 2026, later put back to June 2026
Ofgem will pilot lower standing charges from June 2026, offered first by four large suppliers with a cap on how many customers can sign up.
Ofgem brought in £40 compensation for smart meter installation issues
Ofgem reforms confirmed in February 2026 make households eligible for a £40 automatic payment when smart meter installations are delayed or fail, or when faults are not resolved promptly.
- January 2026
Government confirms Warm Home Discount continuation to 2030/31
The Government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will run for a further five years to 2030/31, with a single Core Group in England and Wales and expanded eligibility in Scotland.
Ofgem decides to progress automatic compensation under GSOPs 1-3 and defers GSOP 4
Ofgem has confirmed that automatic compensation for three smart meter service failures will go ahead, while a fourth standard covering meters not operating in smart mode is deferred.
Ofgem publishes Final Decision on smart metering Guaranteed Standards of Performance
Ofgem has published its Final Decision on Guaranteed Standards of Performance for smart metering, setting out further detail on the proposals being taken forward, with the standards in place since 23 February 2026.
Feedback published on Heat in Buildings Bill consultation
The Scottish Government has dropped plans to ban polluting heating in individual homes, publishing consultation feedback that shifts the Heat in Buildings Bill to collective targets and delays its introduction.