Powering Homes news, page 24
- October 2025
Uswitch updated its 104 energy saving tips guide
Uswitch updated its guide of more than 100 energy saving tips for the home on 14 October 2025, arranged by room and carrying annual saving figures for each measure.
Which? responds to NAO report on faulty insulation
Which? has called the National Audit Office's findings on faulty insulation a damning indictment of a failed scheme, urging government action to remedy damage and prevent a repeat.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem standing charge consultation
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that a radical rethink of the standing charge should not be a priority now, backing pilots and better signposting over a mandate for lower or zero standing charge tariffs.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
UK Power Networks DSO secures first 100% low carbon flexibility portfolio
UK Power Networks' distribution system operator has awarded 20MW of flexibility capacity across 217 local zones to nine providers, with every asset low carbon for the first time.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem smart meter GSOP consultation
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it broadly backs proposed guaranteed standards of performance for smart meters, while pressing for shorter timeframes and clearer appointment rules.
Final Government Response on EPC reform published
The Scottish Government has published its final response to three rounds of consultation on Energy Performance Certificate reform, confirming new regulations laid in October 2025 and a revised in-force date of 30 April 2028.
Which? responds to Scottish Government update on reforming Energy Performance Certificates
Which? has welcomed Scottish Government plans to reform Energy Performance Certificates, saying its research shows the certificates are too often inaccurate, out of date or difficult to understand.
Grow Utilities trading name begins
The Energy Ombudsman has listed Grow Utilities, trading under DJ Business Solution Ltd, as an active member from 9 October 2025, meaning disputes against it can be brought to the scheme.
Ofgem opens call for input on reselling gas and electricity and the Maximum Resale Price direction
Ofgem has opened a call for input on the rules covering the reselling of gas and electricity, asking whether the Maximum Resale Price still protects consumers and supports investment.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to permitted development rights consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response to a government consultation on permitted development rights, backing looser rules for electric vehicle chargepoints and air source heat pumps in England.
National Insulation Association publishes response to ECO4 extension consultation
The National Insulation Association has told a government consultation that an ECO4 extension should only proceed with a matching rise in supplier targets, and that the Great British Insulation Scheme should end as planned.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to fuel poverty strategy review
The Energy Saving Trust has told the government that fuel poor homes should get grants covering the full cost of retrofit and that England needs a national expert energy advice service.
Energy Saving Trust responds to EPC reform consultation
Energy Saving Trust has told DESNZ it backs a cost per square metre metric, a carbon-based heating metric and smart readiness on EPCs, while opposing energy use and separate carbon metrics.
SSEN mobilises welfare operation for Storm Amy customers
SSEN has served more than 20,000 meals during Storm Amy and set out how customers can claim back the cost of food and accommodation after losing power.
SSEN continues Storm Amy reconnection with over 71,000 restored and 17,000 still off supply
SSEN restored power to all 90,000 homes cut off by Storm Amy, a Category 2 severe weather event, after faults at 750 locations and more than 30,000 free meals served.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Energy Efficient Scotland owner-occupied homes consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has published its response supporting a Scottish Government proposal for a legally binding energy efficiency standard covering owner-occupied homes in Scotland.
Awaab's Law comes into effect for social landlords
Awaab's Law came into force in October 2025, requiring social landlords to investigate and resolve damp and mould in homes within set time periods.
British Gas Energy Support Fund reopens on day of 2% price cap rise
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its largest energy debt fund, offering grants of up to £2,000 to British Gas customers, on the day energy bills rose by 2%.
BYD Battery-Box HVB available to order at Wind & Sun
Wind & Sun has opened orders for the BYD Battery-Box HVB, a high-voltage home battery stack using BYD Blade Battery cells, priced from £1,025.04 with a 15 year warranty.
Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan published
The government published its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October 2025, setting out policies to meet emissions targets up to Carbon Budget 6, with a heat and buildings factsheet following in June 2026.
CSE launches Energy Choices Tool
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has launched the Energy Choices Tool, a website giving independent advice on smart energy options tailored to individual circumstances, funded by two electricity distribution networks.
DESNZ publishes government response to HEM consultation
DESNZ has published its response to the Home Energy Model consultation, confirming the replacement for SAP will be a new model run centrally, with updated product, heat pump and battery calculations.
Energy Saving Trust responds to Treasury consultation on VAT relief for energy saving materials
The Energy Saving Trust has told the Treasury that battery storage retrofitted to existing solar should be zero-rated for VAT, and that the relief should extend to EV chargepoints, thermal storage, water source heat pumps and smart heating controls.
Flexi 2025 variable cost breakdown updated for the quarter from 1 October 2025
ScottishPower has updated the quarterly breakdown of variable costs inside its Flexi 2025 tariff from 1 October 2025, with Balancing Services Use of System rising on the single rate electricity table.
Future Homes Standard publication was planned
The Government said it would publish the Future Homes Standard in the autumn, setting energy efficiency and carbon rules for new homes in England.
Great British Insulation Scheme closed to new applicants
The Great British Insulation Scheme, which offered free or discounted insulation to households, closed to new applicants in October 2025, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Guide updated for Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
Trading standards guidance for England, Scotland and Wales has been updated to reflect the coming into force of unfair trading provisions in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
MCS responds to DESNZ consultation on extending ECO4
MCS has published its response to the government consultation on extending ECO4, backing a nine-month extension with stronger consumer protections, as Consumer Scotland also files its own supportive response.
MHHS migration scheduled to begin
Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement is scheduled to begin migration in October, in the final year of a framework requiring minimum smart meter coverage of 74.5% of homes and 68.7% of businesses by the end of 2025.
Most Child Winter Heating Payments made automatically from early October 2025
Most Child Winter Heating Payments in Scotland are being made automatically from early October 2025, with the one-off payment set at £255.80 for winter 2025/26.