Powering Homes news, page 23
- November 2025
Ofgem announces consultation on home-move debt processes
Ofgem has set out plans to consult later this year on trialling new home-move processes that would require customers to contact their supplier to set up an account early.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Ofgem published a call for input on proposed Consumer Outcomes
Ofgem has opened a call for input on proposed Consumer Outcomes for the energy industry, published alongside survey findings showing household satisfaction with suppliers at a record high.
OVO customers receive Warm Home Discount payments 19 months late
Thousands of OVO customers waited more than 19 months for Warm Home Discount payments for winter 2023/24, with the supplier paying £2,765,200 in compensation to affected households.
Proposed Heat in Buildings Bill paused
The Scottish Government has paused its proposed Heat in Buildings Bill, citing delay to the UK Government's Warm Homes Plan and limited time left in the parliamentary session.
Social rented sector regulations came into force
Electrical safety rules for social housing landlords in England came into force on 1 November 2025, extending duties already applied to private rented homes.
StepChange responds to DESNZ consultation on continuing the Warm Home Discount scheme
StepChange has welcomed government plans to extend the Warm Home Discount for five more winters from 2026/27, while warning that the payment has barely risen since 2011 and calling for a national energy debt relief scheme.
Warm Home Discount scheme opens for 2025-26 winter
The Warm Home Discount has opened for winter 2025-26, giving eligible households in England, Wales and Scotland a one-off £150 reduction on their energy bill.
- October 2025
Government confirms MCS as sole certification scheme for clean heat measures under five schemes
DESNZ has confirmed it plans to mandate MCS as the sole certification scheme for clean heat measures across five government schemes, with MCS installers moving to a redeveloped scheme during 2026.
Government response to Part 2 of the consultation published
The government has confirmed that MCS will become the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations under four grant schemes, publishing its response to Part 2 of a consultation on 31 October 2025.
IMD data update creates new eligible postcode list
An October 2025 update to the Indices of Multiple Deprivation has produced a new set of eligible postcodes for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, with the previous 2019-based list retained until the end of the first delivery year.
Low Carbon Hub publishes Your Home Retrofit Guide
Low Carbon Hub has published a free plain-English guide to home retrofit, covering quick wins, planning, funding and local support for households in Oxfordshire and beyond.
Ofgem publishes draft impact assessment for Consumer Consent Solution
Ofgem has published a final impact assessment for the Consumer Consent Solution, confirming RECCo as delivery body and setting out costs, benefits and a 2028 review.
Committee publishes Tackling the energy cost crisis report
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee published its report Tackling the energy cost crisis on 29 October 2025, and Ofgem has now responded to its recommendations on debt and the price cap.
Committee publishes Tackling the energy cost crisis report
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has published a report recommending reform of the Warm Home Discount, a social tariff, an Energy Debt Relief Scheme and wider Energy Ombudsman powers.
Government publishes Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan
The Government published its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan on 29 October 2025, setting out how the UK will meet its legally binding climate targets, with the Climate Change Committee to assess it fully in June 2026.
Awaab's Law comes into force
Awaab's Law came into force on 27 October 2025, requiring social landlords in England to investigate damp and mould reports within 10 working days and make homes safe.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Scottish Government permitted development rights consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has told the Scottish Government that permitted development rights for domestic heat pumps should require MCS 020 compliance, allow two units on detached houses and cover heat network connections.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandHeat Pumps
Which? publishes policy paper on financing for low carbon home heating
Which? has published a policy paper setting out eight tests for heat pump financing, with recommendations to government and business on consumer protection in a developing market.
Google ends support for 1st and 2nd gen Nest Learning Thermostats
Google will stop software and security updates for first and second generation Nest Learning Thermostats from 25 October 2025, ending remote control and app scheduling for owners of the earliest models.
Nesta publishes trial findings supporting automated flexibility in type-of-use heat pump tariffs
Nesta and OVO trial finds automated heat pump flexibility on a type-of-use tariff shifted 30 per cent of peak heating demand and could save owners up to £440 a year.
Citizens Advice publishes research on low-income homeowners and retrofit
Citizens Advice research published on 23 October 2025 finds upfront cost and perceived risk deter low-income homeowners in England and Wales from energy efficiency upgrades, and sets out design considerations for future schemes.
Consultation on fairer, faster energy redress opens
The government has opened a consultation on strengthening the Energy Ombudsman, proposing faster complaint handling, automatic referrals and a power to order compensation when rulings are not implemented.
Which? urges government to remove heat pump adoption barriers
Which? has published Sustainability Tracker findings showing heat pump ownership among homeowners at three per cent and called on the government to remove the barriers holding consumers back.
B&Q Energy Saving Service has given tailored advice to more than 1,600 customers
Energy Saving Trust has reported that B&Q's Energy Saving Service, built on its Home Energy Efficiency Tool, has given tailored advice to more than 1,600 customers since launch.
Citizens Advice publishes paper calling for overhaul of retrofit consumer protections
Citizens Advice has published a paper calling for an overhaul of consumer protections in the retrofit market, proposing independent advice, a single quality scheme and regulated redress.
New Energy Choices Tool helps navigate smart energy options
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has launched a free Energy Choices Tool giving households personalised recommendations on smart energy products, services and tariffs, funded by two electricity distribution networks.
UK household energy debt rises to eight-year high
Uswitch research published on 15 October 2025 finds UK household energy debt at an eight-year high of £780 million, with the average household owing £223 to its supplier.
Fogstar launches Drift 48V 125Ah lithium leisure battery
Fogstar has added a 48V 125Ah lithium leisure battery to its Drift range, with a 150A battery management system, inverter communications, low-temperature heating and a 10-year warranty.
Let's Talk Energy Fund opens for 2025-26
Charis has opened the Let's Talk Energy Fund for 2025-26, offering up to two free energy-efficient appliances and advice to households struggling with energy bills.
NAO publishes report on energy efficiency installations under the Energy Company Obligation
The National Audit Office has published a value for money report finding clear failures in the design and consumer protection system of ECO4 and GBIS, covering faulty wall insulation and suspected fraud.