Powering Homes News: page 26
- July 2025
Fox ESS launches H3 Smart 3-phase hybrid inverter range in the UK
Fox ESS has launched the H3 Smart, a three-phase hybrid inverter range from 5 kW to 15 kW with built-in EPS backup, Wi-Fi and G99 compliance, available now from authorised UK distributors.
Consultation on raising product standards for household tumble dryers opens
The government has opened a consultation on stricter ecodesign and energy labelling rules for household tumble dryers sold in Great Britain, running until 14 August 2025.
Government updates House on systemic issues in solid wall insulation delivery under ECO4 and GBIS
The Government has told the House that solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS shows widespread, systemic failures, with 92% of audited external wall installations carrying a major technical non-compliance.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem fair pricing consultation
Consumer Scotland has backed Ofgem's proposed fair pricing framework for heat networks but called for stronger monitoring of fuel costs, prescriptive billing rules and readiness to enforce from January 2026.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Government allocates £650 million for Electric Car Grant offering discounts up to £3,750
The government has allocated £650 million to an Electric Car Grant giving discounts of up to £3,750 on new electric cars priced at or under £37,000, with funding running to the 2028/29 financial year.
Government response to decarbonising home heating report published
Treasury minutes setting out the Government response to the Public Accounts Committee's Thirty-seventh report on decarbonising home heating were published on 11 July 2025.
Scottish Government accepts Regulatory Review Group recommendations on EPC reform
The Scottish Government has accepted all five recommendations from its Regulatory Review Group on Energy Performance Certificate reform, covering Home Report alignment, mortgage lending, local authority enforcement, inspections and public engagement.
Andersen introduces Quartz Vision display option for Quartz charge point
Andersen has added a 4.3-inch display option, the Quartz Vision, to its Quartz home charge point, priced at £88 including VAT on new orders from 10 July 2025.
UK Government decides to retain single national GB-wide wholesale market and not implement zonal pricing
The UK Government has decided to keep a single national wholesale electricity market across Great Britain and will not introduce zonal pricing, setting out a package of reform instead.
Ofgem writes to suppliers exploring options for setting the UIG allowance
Ofgem has written to gas suppliers asking how the unidentified gas allowance in the price cap should be set, and has proposed raising it from 1.88% to 2.90%.
Energy Systems Catapult report finds ECO4 failing health-vulnerable households
Energy Systems Catapult has published a report finding that ECO4 is not reaching health-vulnerable households in cold homes, with only four of 42 surveyed homes qualifying for fully funded work.
Energy Storage Association (UK) launches with Baroness Luciana Berger as inaugural Chair
The Energy Storage Association (UK) has launched with Baroness Luciana Berger as its inaugural Chair, setting out a mission to put storage at the centre of the net-zero transition.
SSEN announces £2.5m network upgrade between Banchory and Aboyne
SSEN Distribution is spending £2.5m to replace 13km of overhead lines and more than 200 wooden poles between Banchory and Aboyne, with the six-month project due to finish in September.
MCS launched a consultation on an air-to-air heat pump performance standard
MCS has opened a four-week consultation on a proposed standard and calculator tool for estimating the performance of air-to-air heat pump systems, with responses due by 6 August 2025.
Consultation on Clean Heat Market Mechanism Year 2 closes
The UK Government consultation on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism's second-year heat pump credit target and on naming MCS as the sole certification scheme closed on 2 July 2025, with responses now being analysed.
Government opens consultation on updating the Decent Homes Standard
The government consulted from 2 July to 10 September 2025 on updating the Decent Homes Standard and extending it to private rented homes in England.
Octopus Energy price amendments
Octopus Energy amended prices on its Octopus Key and Card and Flexible Octopus tariffs, in a change recorded by the price comparison service Energylinx.
Which? warns of fake DWP energy support scam texts
Which? has warned that scammers impersonating the Department for Work and Pensions are texting householders fake energy grant offers of £200 to £300, with links to malicious websites.
New allowances to be implemented in July 2025 cap
Ofgem has restructured the operating cost and debt allowances inside the energy price cap, cutting the total allowance by an average of £8 per customer from the July 2025 cap period.
Civil sanctions replace criminal sanctions for Smoke Control Area enforcement in Wales
Civil monetary penalties of £175 to £300 per notice of intent replaced criminal sanctions for smoke emissions in Welsh smoke control areas from the end of July 2025, and approved appliance and fuel exceptions were removed.
Clean Flexibility Roadmap published
Government, Ofgem and NESO have published a Clean Flexibility Roadmap update setting out progress since July 2025 and new commitments on consumer-led flexibility, storage and market reform.
Consultation on changes to permitted development rights closes
The Welsh Government consultation on changes to permitted development rights, including air source heat pumps and off-street electric vehicle charging, closed on 1 July 2025.
Contact with suppliers about help paying bills reaches highest level to date
Ofgem's Energy Consumer Satisfaction Survey for July and August 2025 shows contact with suppliers about help paying bills reached its highest recorded level, at 78% of customers who fell behind.
Energy Bills and the Price CapEnergy SuppliersRules and Regulation
Cornwall Insight forecasts slight fall in price cap for July to September 2025
Cornwall Insight forecasts the July to September 2025 price cap at £1,756.02 a year for a typical dual fuel direct debit household, a slight fall from the current cap of £1,849.
Council publishes Statement of Intent for ECO4 and GBIS
West Lindsey District Council has published its July 2025 Statement of Intent setting out the full eligibility criteria for ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme Flex routes.
DESNZ launches consultation on electricity network infrastructure reforms
The Welsh Government has published its response to a consultation on permitted development rights, confirming strong support for loosening rules on air source heat pumps and setting out phased next steps.
Dimplex publishes Quantum HHR storage heater brochure
Dimplex has published a brochure for its Quantum high heat retention storage heater, setting out the range's specifications, controls and accreditations as correct at the time of publication.
Eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland widened
The Scottish Government has widened the eligibility criteria for Warmer Homes Scotland, so more households can qualify for energy-saving improvements and previous unsuccessful applicants may now be successful.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Energy price cap falls 7% to £1,720 for a typical household
The energy price cap fell 7 per cent on 1 July 2025, cutting the bill for a typical household paying by direct debit from £1,849 to £1,720 a year.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
Flexi 2025 variable cost breakdown updated for the quarter from 1 July 2025
ScottishPower has published the quarterly update to its Flexi 2025 variable cost breakdown, showing which component charges change from 1 July 2025 and which stay the same.