Powering Homes News: page 14
- January 2026
Scottish Government plans introduction of draft buildings and heat networks Bill in next Parliament
The Scottish Government has published its response to the Heat in Buildings Bill consultation and confirmed the draft Bill will not be introduced before the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
Warm Home Discount expanded to more people on means-tested benefits this year
The Warm Home Discount has expanded this year to include more people on certain means-tested benefits, the consumer body Which? has reported, setting out the £150 payment and other winter support.
CIBSE launches Domestic Heating Design Guide 2026
CIBSE has published the 11th edition of its Domestic Heating Design Guide, setting out practical guidance for designing domestic heating and hot water systems in UK homes.
New heat network regulations take effect
Stronger rules for heat network suppliers and operators on customer service, supply reliability, billing and fair pricing took effect on 27 January 2026, with free advice and ombudsman redress already in place.
Heat networks regulatory commencement date confirmed as 27 January 2026
Ofgem has published finalised consumer protection guidance for heat networks and confirmed the new regulatory regime starts on 27 January 2026 across Great Britain.
House of Lords debates the Warm Homes Plan Statement
Peers debated the Warm Homes Plan on 27 January 2026, questioning its effect on bills, a six-month gap between schemes, solar supply chains and the running costs of heat pumps.
Statutory Instrument for smart meter GSOPs 1-3 signed
Ofgem has signed the Statutory Instrument bringing smart meter Guaranteed Standards of Performance 1 to 3 into legislation, with consumer compensation starting on 23 February 2026.
Minister publishes response to consultation on Low Carbon Heating Support
Northern Ireland's Economy Minister has published the government response to a consultation on support for low carbon heating in homes, setting out findings from 107 responses and next steps.
ECO4 extended to 31 December 2026
The government has extended the Energy Company Obligation to 31 December 2026 so suppliers can meet existing targets and put right non-compliant insulation installations.
Government response confirms ECO4 extended to 31 December 2026
The government has confirmed ECO4 will run for nine more months to 31 December 2026, with no extension to the Great British Insulation Scheme and no increase in supplier targets.
Heat network consumer protections introduced across Great Britain with Ofgem as regulator
Heat network customers in England, Scotland and Wales came under Ofgem regulation on 27 January 2026, with new rules on pricing, billing, vulnerable customer support and complaint handling.
Public Accounts Committee publishes report on faulty energy efficiency installations
The Public Accounts Committee has reported 30,000 homes with defective energy efficiency installations and called for independent supervision of wall insulation retrofit schemes.
Welsh Government announces £98.75 million for next round of Optimised Retrofit Programme
The Welsh Government has announced £98.75 million for the next round of the Optimised Retrofit Programme, taking total investment in social housing energy efficiency since 2020 past £466 million.
Future Homes Standard publication confirmed for Q1 2026
The Warm Homes Plan confirms the Future Homes Standard will be published in the first quarter of 2026, alongside £15 billion to upgrade five million homes by 2030.
Green Alliance publishes visual report on cutting home energy bills
Green Alliance has published a visual report setting out insulation standards, heat pump and solar panel rollout as ways to cut household energy bills permanently and tackle fuel poverty.
BUS funding for 2026-2030 announced
Ofgem has confirmed the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will run to 2030, with funding for 2026 to 2030 announced on 21 January 2026 under the Warm Homes Plan and rule changes in force from 28 April 2026.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem consultation on energy debt when consumers move house
Consumer Scotland has responded to an Ofgem consultation on energy debt arising when consumers move house, tentatively supporting reform while setting out risks and recommendations.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Fuel Poverty Strategy for England first published
The government has published its Fuel Poverty Strategy for England, setting out six priority outcomes for tackling fuel poverty, with a correction to Figure 9 made five days later.
Government responds to EPC reform consultation and publishes MEES response alongside Warm Homes Plan
The government has confirmed that privately rented homes in England and Wales must reach EPC C across two metrics by October 2030, publishing its EPC reform and MEES responses alongside the Warm Homes Plan.
Government response to heat network zoning consultation published
The government has published its response to the 2023 consultation on heat network zoning in England, setting out how feedback shaped policy on zone identification, requirements and delivery.
Octopus Energy thermal camera loan scheme closed for winter
Octopus Energy's thermal camera loan scheme for customers is closed for this winter after demand outstripped supply, with a waiting list for when it reopens.
Stelrad updates heat loss calculator and radiator sizing software
Stelrad has upgraded every version of its heat loss calculator and radiator sizing software, adding electric and conventional heating options and updated NHBC and CIBSE figures for installers, specifiers and homeowners.
New warm homes agency to be established and Salix abolished
The government has set out a Warm Homes Plan allocating £15 billion, abolishing the ECO scheme and Salix, and creating a new warm homes agency to consolidate delivery functions.
Warm Homes Plan first published
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published the Warm Homes Plan on 21 January 2026, a policy paper setting out how it intends to cut energy bills and upgrade homes.
First universal grants for heat batteries and air-to-air heat pumps announced
The Government has set out a £15 billion Warm Homes Plan, including a first universal £2,500 grant for heat batteries and air-to-air heat pumps alongside £7,500 for conventional heat pumps.
Government launches £15 billion Warm Homes Plan
The government has launched a £15 billion Warm Homes Plan to upgrade up to five million homes, cut bills and lift up to a million families out of fuel poverty by 2030.
Nesta analysis finds Warm Homes Plan could save households up to £1,000 on bills
Nesta analysis published on 20 January 2026 projects that a household adding a heat pump, solar panels and a battery under the Warm Homes Plan could cut its annual energy bill by about £1,000.
Citizens Advice responds to DESNZ's Tariff Interoperability consultation
Citizens Advice has backed government plans to standardise electricity tariff data so households can compare deals and switch more easily, while warning that small business suppliers may be left out.
Naps Independent Energy Advice listed as inactive by Energy Ombudsman
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded the broker Naps Independent Energy Advice as inactive, with its membership of the dispute scheme shown as ending on 19 January 2026.
Record 8.4GW of offshore wind secures CfD contracts in AR7
The government's seventh Contracts for Difference auction has awarded a record 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity, split between five fixed-foundation projects and two floating schemes.