Powering Homes news, page 28
- August 2025
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.
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.