Powering Homes news, page 15
- February 2026
CCC warns buildings and NETs policies put post-2030 carbon budgets at risk
The Climate Change Committee says Scotland has credible plans for 91 per cent of the emissions cuts needed to 2030, but warns weak buildings and negative emissions policies put later carbon budgets at risk.
Forthcoming changes to OZEV grants from 1 April 2026 announced
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has set out changes to its electric vehicle chargepoint grants taking effect from 1 April 2026, with five schemes running to 31 March 2027.
Lower standing charge tariff pilot to start in spring 2026
Ofgem has confirmed a pilot of lower standing charge tariffs will begin in spring 2026, offered first to eligible customers of EDF, E.ON, Octopus and British Gas, alongside a 7% cut in the price cap.
Nesta publishes analysis calling for 110,000 heat pump installations in Scotland over next Parliament
Nesta analysis says Scotland needs about 110,000 heat pump and low carbon heating installations between May 2026 and May 2031, triple the current number, against a draft plan implying 30,000.
OZEV home and workplace grants terms and conditions published on GOV.UK
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has published the terms and conditions covering customers, installers and installer representatives applying for or claiming its home and workplace grants.
Warm Home Discount costs to move from standing charges to unit rate
Ofgem has confirmed that Warm Home Discount costs will move from standing charges to the unit rate, cutting standing charges by an average of £13 for dual fuel customers from April.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapGrants and Schemes
Ofgem announces 7% fall in energy price cap from April 2026
Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will fall by 7%, or £117, to £1,641 a year for a typical Direct Debit dual fuel household from 1 April to 30 June 2026.
SSEN issues Power Cut Plans to more than 150,000 Priority Services customers
SSEN Distribution has issued dedicated Power Cut Plans to more than 150,000 Priority Services customers and begun delivering the first of 20,000 free home battery packs to medically dependent households.
Warm Healthy Homes Strategy announced for Northern Ireland
The Department for Communities has announced a Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026 to 2036 for Northern Ireland, intended to help address fuel poverty in a housing stock where oil is the dominant heating fuel.
Compensation under smart meter GSOPs 1-3 commences
Ofgem has brought smart meter Guaranteed Standards of Performance 1 to 3 into legislation, with automatic supplier compensation for breaches starting on 23 February 2026.
Kensa partners with Passiv UK on smart heat pump controls
Kensa has partnered with Passiv UK to offer the Passiv Smart Thermostat with its ground source heat pumps, claiming heating bill cuts of up to 30 per cent and access to Greener Grid Payments.
Ofgem rule requires supplier response within five working days and £40 compensation for smart meter problems
Ofgem rules in force from 23 February 2026 require suppliers to set out a smart meter fix plan within five working days or pay £40 compensation automatically.
Smart metering Guaranteed Standards of Performance GSOPs 1-3 come into force
Ofgem's Guaranteed Standards of Performance 1 to 3 for smart metering took effect on 23 February 2026, covering installation appointments, failed installations and initial assessment of reported problems.
Uswitch reports two-thirds of UK households struggling with condensation, damp and mould
Uswitch research finds 18 million UK homes affected by condensation, damp and mould this winter, with high energy costs driving households to cut heating and keep windows shut.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to PRS energy performance consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has backed the government's plan to raise minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes, while urging faster action on EPC reform and landlord support.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Scottish Government equity loan call for evidence
Energy Saving Trust has published its response to a Scottish Government call for evidence, backing expansion of the Home Energy Efficiency Equity Loan Pilot into a nationwide support scheme.
Energy Saving Trust responds to Treasury interim report on net zero costs
The Energy Saving Trust has told the Treasury that energy efficiency and electrification can cut household bills, opposing new energy bill levies and backing National Infrastructure Bank support for home upgrades.
Gas System in Transition consultation closes
The government's Gas System in Transition consultation on gas infrastructure and supply security closed on 18 February 2026, the first step in a programme to manage long-term gas security of supply.
All Phase One homes at Tulloch Homes development sold with QUHZ Ecodan heat pumps
All 24 homes in Phase One of a Tulloch Homes development in the Highlands have been sold, each fitted with a QUHZ Ecodan air source heat pump, according to HPA UK.
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.