Powering Homes news, page 25
- October 2025
NAO report uncovers serious failings in ECO and GBIS
The National Audit Office found serious failings in home insulation funded by the Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation Scheme, with external wall insulation the worst affected.
National Audit Office releases report on energy efficiency installations under the Energy Company Obligation
The National Audit Office has published a report on failures with solid wall insulation installed under the Energy Company Obligation, drawing a call from the Energy Saving Trust for stronger consumer protection.
Grants and SchemesInsulation and GlazingRules and Regulation
Ofgem price cap for October to December 2025 set at £1,755 GB average on new TDCVs
Ofgem's price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2025 stands at £1,755 a year for a typical dual fuel household on direct debit, with electricity unit rates up and gas unit rates down.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
Ofgem publishes draft Impact Assessment for Consumer Consent Solution
Ofgem has published a draft impact assessment for a digital Consumer Consent Solution, to be delivered by RECCo, with the consultation closing on 13 November 2025.
Ovo Energy Extra Support Package opens
Ovo Energy's £56m Extra Support Package opened on 1 October 2025, offering eligible customers emergency top-up, payment reductions, extended repayment plans and free energy-saving products.
Price cap operating cost allowance in place until October 2025
Ofgem has set new operating cost and debt allowances for the energy price cap, cutting the average customer bill by £8, with the allowances in place until October 2025.
Scottish Government adjusts Heat Retention Rating bandings ahead of new EPC regulations
The Scottish Government has adjusted the Heat Retention Rating bandings and redesigned the Heating System Rating on reformed EPCs, ahead of new regulations to be laid in Parliament on 10 October 2025.
Sixth carbon budget delivery plan published after High Court challenges
The government published its sixth carbon budget delivery plan in October 2025 after successful legal challenges by Friends of the Earth and ClientEarth, setting out how the UK intends to meet its emissions limits.
Solis lists S6-GR1P(8-10)K03-NV-ND grid-tied inverter
Solis has added the S6-GR1P(8-10)K03-NV-ND, a single phase grid-tied inverter with Bluetooth app operation and a three MPPT design, to its inverter catalogue.
SSEN issues Yellow Alert for north of Scotland ahead of Storm Amy
SSEN moved to Yellow Alert across the north of Scotland on 1 October 2025 and stood up hundreds of extra staff ahead of Storm Amy, warning that network disruption is expected.
Three principles for consumer protection reform set out
The Government has set out three principles for reforming consumer protection in home energy upgrades, alongside a new consultation and expanded repair cover for faulty ECO4 and GBIS insulation.
Warm Home Discount letters to be posted between October and December 2025
Energy UK has told households that eligible people will receive a physical letter between October and December 2025 confirming a £150 Warm Home Discount, and warned against scam texts and emails.
Warm Homes Plan full details expected from DESNZ
The full Warm Homes Plan is not expected from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero until October 2025, with £13.2 billion committed across this parliament.
Warranty period for products purchased from 1 October 2025 set at 5 years
Wallbox has set the standard warranty on its Pulsar Max home EV charger at five years for units bought from 1 October 2025, up from three years for earlier purchases.
- September 2025
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's price cap benchmark consumption review consultation
Citizens Advice has agreed with Ofgem's minded-to proposal on reviewing the benchmark consumption values behind the energy price cap, while calling for clarity on how headroom allowances are assessed.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to Ofgem standing charges consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has answered Ofgem's consultation on prepayment meter standing charges and other debt costs, calling for a social tariff and fairer regional charges.
Warm Home Discount scheme for winter 2025 to 2026 opens
The Warm Home Discount for winter 2025 to 2026 opens in October 2025, with eligibility criteria for England and Wales published by the government on 30 September 2025.
Viessmann introduces 10-year warranty on Vitodens 200-W boilers for 2025 heating season
Viessmann Climate Solutions UK has raised the standard warranty on its Vitodens 200-W boiler from seven years to ten for units registered between 1 September and 31 December 2025.
Energy debt and arrears climbs to £4.43 billion in Q2 2025
Ofgem figures show household energy debt and arrears reached £4.43 billion in the second quarter of 2025, up nearly £300 million on the previous quarter and £0.74 billion on a year earlier.
Citizens Advice responds to consultation on extending ECO4 end date
Citizens Advice has backed a government proposal to extend the ECO4 grant scheme past March 2026, warning that a shorter timeframe would leave households facing a cliff edge.
Consultation on extending the ECO4 end date closes
The government consultation on extending the ECO4 end date beyond 31 March 2026 closed on 25 September 2025, with the insulation industry opposing an extension that does not raise supplier targets.
DESNZ consults on continuing the WHD to 2031
DESNZ has opened a consultation on extending the Warm Home Discount for a further five years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031, keeping the rebate scheme running beyond its current period.
Ofgem publishes response to DESNZ consultation on extending ECO4 end date
Ofgem has published its response to the price cap aspects of the government's consultation on extending the ECO4 energy efficiency scheme beyond its current end date.
Energy Systems Catapult publishes ISS insights on vulnerable consumers and energy flexibility
Energy Systems Catapult reports that 69 per cent of the UK population has at least one characteristic that raises the likelihood of exclusion from smart energy flexibility, based on a survey of 4,894 people.
Levelise launches Hub 2 at Solar & Storage Live
Levelise has launched Hub 2, a smaller and lighter home energy hub for solar and battery households, at Solar & Storage Live on 23 September 2025, with claims of faster installation and flexibility income.
Which? research finds three quarters of homeowners with older boilers unprepared for replacement
Which? has found that three quarters of homeowners with older heating systems have made no plans to replace their boiler, and says unprepared households face emergency callouts, longer waits and higher costs.
Which? publishes research on boiler replacement planning and heat pump uptake
Which? research finds three in four homeowners with older boilers have made no replacement plans, and that seeing heat pump information raises consideration sharply.
Updated MCS 020 compliance becomes mandatory for relevant PDR installations
Compliance with the updated MCS 020 sound standard became mandatory on 20 September 2025 for air source heat pumps installed under Permitted Development in England, following changes to size, siting and unit limits.
FMB publishes homeowner guide to creating an energy efficient home
The Federation of Master Builders has published a homeowner guide to energy efficiency, advising that work starts with the fabric of the home and follows a whole house retrofit approach.
SSEN begins real-world trials of Electricity Supply Checker
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has begun real-world customer trials of an Electricity Supply Checker in Swindon and South Oxfordshire, telling households whether their connection can support heat pumps and EV chargers.