Powering Homes news, page 16
- February 2026
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.
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.