Powering Homes news, page 14
- March 2026
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.
Record renewable electricity generation reached in the UK
Renewable power reached a record 65 per cent of UK electricity generation in March 2026, the Centre for Sustainable Energy reports, describing a grid where the timing of household electricity use shapes cost and carbon.
Scotland published its Climate Change Plan: 2026–2040
The Scottish Government published its Climate Change Plan 2026–2040 in March 2026, setting out how Scotland intends to reach its legally binding net zero target for all greenhouse gases by 2045.
Solid fuel burning consultation closed
Defra's annual progress report confirms the solid fuel burning consultation, covering stricter stove emission limits, higher wet wood fines and mandatory warning labels, closed in March 2026 and is still under review.
Warm Home Discount Scheme to continue to winter 2030/31
The government will keep the Warm Home Discount running across Great Britain for five more winters, to 2030/31, and merge its two Core Groups in England and Wales.
Which? runs Spring home improvements campaign
Which? ran a second home energy communications campaign in March 2026, linking homeowners to its Home Energy Planning Service, after a first campaign in autumn 2025.
Winter Fuel Payment scheme for Winter 2025-2026 closes
The Winter Fuel Payment scheme for Winter 2025-2026 has closed, with details of future schemes stated as becoming available later in 2026.
- February 2026
Heating oil prices rise almost 110% in a week
Heating oil prices rose by almost 110% in a week after strikes on Iran, prompting a £53 million government support package and warnings that bulk fuel deliveries are rarely inspected.
Summary of responses published for Part L 2025 review
The Welsh Government has published its summary of responses to the 2025 review of Building Regulations Part L, covering planned changes to energy efficiency standards in new and existing buildings.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Which? survey finds most owners of older heating systems unprepared for replacement
A Which? survey of homeowners whose heating systems are more than eight years old found three in four had made no preparation for replacing them, with many saying they would wait until the system breaks.
Zapmap updates guide for women on EV ownership and charging
Zapmap has updated its She drives electric guide, which sets out charging basics, public charging safety and lower-cost routes into electric car ownership for women drivers.
Cabinet Secretary met Ofgem officials on the next price cap
The Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice met Ofgem officials the day before confirming the next energy price cap, which falls by £117 to £1,641 from 1 April 2026.