Powering Homes News: page 25
- August 2025
SGN urges households to test CO alarms after data shows 95% untested in 2024
SGN has published data showing 95% of carbon monoxide alarms went untested in 2024 and urged households to test alarms monthly and take them on trips.
SSEN restores power to 50,000 homes following Storm Floris
SSEN restored power to 50,000 homes in northern Scotland by 7:15am on Tuesday 5 August after Storm Floris, with 22,000 properties still off supply.
Storm Floris causes significant damage to SSEN network in northern Scotland
Storm Floris brought an 83mph gust at Wick and left 22,000 properties without power across the Highlands, Moray coast and Aberdeenshire, SSEN said, after restoring 50,000 homes.
Met Office issues Amber Weather Warning for Wind for most of Scotland
The Met Office has issued an Amber Weather Warning for Wind covering most of Scotland from 1000 to 2300, as Storm Floris brings gusts of up to 100mph and expected power disruption.
Amendments by the Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) Order 2025 took effect
Amendments to the Energy Company Obligation Order 2023 took effect on 1 August 2025, changing supplier targets and adding smart meter advice duties to home insulation and heating control work.
BISOL introduced enhanced warranty for standard modules
BISOL has applied an upgraded warranty to its standard solar modules from 1 August 2025, covering a 30 year power output guarantee and a 25 year product guarantee.
British Gas Energy Trust reopens Individuals and Families Fund
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Individuals and Families Fund, offering up to £1,700 towards energy debt for households on prepayment or credit accounts with suppliers that run no scheme of their own.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapYour Type of Home
Consumer Scotland responds to Scottish Government PRS MEES consultation
Consumer Scotland has told the Scottish Government it broadly supports a minimum energy efficiency standard for privately rented homes, with compliance from 2028 and a backstop of 2033.
DESNZ consultation on the future of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme closed
A government consultation on the future of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has closed, with industry bodies using it to press the case for hybrid heating systems to qualify for grants.
DESNZ consulted on extending the ECO4 end date
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero consulted in August 2025 on extending the ECO4 end date, and the policy decision extends the scheme by nine months to 31 December 2026.
Government data shows more than two thirds of meters in homes and small businesses are smart
Government data published in August 2025 showed nearly 40 million smart meters in homes and small businesses, more than two thirds of all energy meters in Great Britain.
HEETSA and PRS MEES consultations closed
Two Scottish Government consultations, one on a proposed Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment and one on a private rented sector minimum energy efficiency standard, closed at the end of August 2025.
Home Energy Model proposed to replace SAP
The Welsh Government has published a consultation version of Approved Document L Volume 1 for dwellings, proposing the Home Energy Model replace SAP in the calculation methodology.
NSTA issues updated North Sea production projections
The North Sea Transition Authority's August 2025 projections show UK North Sea gas production falling 59 per cent by 2030 without new drilling, against 52 per cent with it.
October to December 2025 price cap set at £1,755
Ofgem has set the October to December 2025 Default Tariff Cap at £1,755 a year for a typical dual fuel household, a 2% rise from July, with forecasts pointing to a slight fall in January.
Ofgem consulted on removing the backwardation deadband
Ofgem has decided to remove the £9 deadband from the backwardation allowance in the energy price cap, recovering the costs over a rolling 12-month period from July 2026.
Ofgem estimates cash and cheque customers pay £136 a year more on average
Ofgem reports estimate that households paying for energy by cash or cheque pay £136 a year more on average than other customers, according to guidance published in September 2025.
Energy Bills and the Price CapEnergy SuppliersRules and Regulation
OPSS issues stop warning for 17,000 heat pump tumble dryer owners
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has ordered Haier to tell more than 17,000 owners of modified heat pump tumble dryers to stop using them immediately because a fire risk remains.
Shared ground loop GSHPs may be approved as innovation measures
Ofgem guidance confirms that from 1 August 2025 energy suppliers may apply for shared ground loop ground source heat pumps to be approved as an innovation measure under ECO4.
Solar Roadmap confirms British 2030 solar target
The government's Solar Roadmap has confirmed a British 2030 solar target of just under 60 GW and set out 62 actions to triple solar capacity.
SSEN operates at heightened Yellow Alert status for Storm Floris
SSEN moved to Weather Warning status on 1 August and held Yellow Alert over the weekend as Storm Floris brought storm-force winds and a risk of power cuts to the north of Scotland.
Welsh Government consultation version issued
The Welsh Government has published a consultation version of Approved Document L Volume 1 for dwellings, proposing the Home Energy Model in place of SAP and a 2026 start date.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Zoopla joins Electric Streets of Britain campaign
Zoopla has joined Vauxhall's Electric Streets of Britain campaign, adding EV charging information to its property listings so home movers can see a property's charging credentials and distance to public chargers.
- July 2025
Amendment legislation became law and rural area classifications changed
The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) Order 2025 became law on 29 July 2025, changing how rural areas are classified for ECO4 and altering installation standards and smart meter advice duties.
Ofgem publishes ECO4 Measures table version 4.0
Ofgem has published version 4.0 of the ECO4 Measures table, the document listing which energy efficiency measures can be installed under the fourth Energy Company Obligation scheme.
Plymouth energy advice hub opens
Wales & West Utilities has listed the opening of a Plymouth energy advice hub among projects funded through its Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance programme.
Plymouth Energy Community opens walk-in energy advice hub on Union Street
Plymouth Energy Community has opened a walk-in energy advice hub in the Genesis Building on Union Street, funded by Wales & West Utilities through its Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance fund.
Clean Flexibility Roadmap published
Ofgem has published a draft impact assessment of a digital Consumer Consent solution, naming RECCo as delivery body and setting a consultation close of 13 November 2025.
Government publishes Clean Flexibility Roadmap
The government, Ofgem and NESO have published the Clean Flexibility Roadmap, setting out plans for a more flexible electricity system alongside new consultations on consumer engagement and asset visibility.
Fox ESS launches EPS Box SP whole-home backup gateway
Fox ESS has launched the EPS Box SP, a backup switching device for its single-phase hybrid inverters that it says can keep all household circuits running during a grid outage.