Powering Homes News: page 29
- June 2025
Planned national RTS switch-off did not happen in June 2025
The Radio Teleswitch Service phase-out began in June 2025 but no national switch-off took place, with the transition now continuing in stages through 2026.
Radio Teleswitch service planned to end 30 June 2025
The industry-run Radio Teleswitch Service that switches older electricity meters between peak and off-peak rates is being phased out from June 2025, with suppliers required to fit replacement meters.
Solar Roadmap published calling for a rooftop revolution
The Solar Roadmap, published in June 2025, called for a rooftop revolution deploying solar PV on homes and buildings to cut bills, improve energy security and create skilled jobs.
Spending Review 2025 commits to the Warm Homes Plan
The 2025 Spending Review commits a further £13.2 billion to the Warm Homes Plan between 2025-26 and 2029-30, funding insulation, heating and solar upgrades intended to cut household bills.
Spending review announces Boiler Upgrade Scheme growth over four years
The June 2025 spending review confirmed that funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will rise each year to 2029/30, as polling for a trade body found few households willing to pay the remaining cost of a heat pump.
SSEN launches £20 million Chickerell substation upgrade
SSEN has begun a £20 million upgrade of Chickerell substation near Weymouth, a project running to mid-2028 that it says will benefit more than 60,000 homes and businesses in south-west Dorset.
SSEN launches Self-Serve connection quote tool
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has launched a Self-Serve online tool that gives some initial electricity connection estimates in as little as two minutes, after use passed one thousand people.
Ultra-rapid devices outnumber rapid devices for the first time
Ultra-rapid public charge points grew 22.76 per cent in the first half of 2025 to 8,619 devices, overtaking rapid devices for the first time, as total installations rose 27 per cent year on year.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed for winter 2025/26
The Government confirmed on 19 June 2025 that the Warm Home Discount would be expanded for winter 2025/26, removing the high-cost-to-heat test so that any household on a qualifying means-tested benefit is eligible.
- May 2025
Net-Zero Renewable Energy Limited trading period ends
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded Net-Zero Renewable Energy Limited, trading as Net Zero Renewables, as inactive, with its membership of the dispute scheme running from 8 December 2023 to 30 May 2025.
Amendments to Class G by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/560)
Amendments to Class G permitted development rights for domestic air source heat pumps in England took effect on 29 May 2025, changing the limits on pump numbers, compressor unit volume and the conditions attached to installation.
Citizens Advice publishes response supporting Ofgem's smart metering Guaranteed Standards
Citizens Advice has backed Ofgem's proposed Guaranteed Standards of Practice for smart metering, saying the new protections must be robust enough to tackle the problems consumers actually face.
Heat pump quantity limits in para. G.2(a) substituted by S.I. 2025/560
Amendments in force from 29 May 2025 restate how many air source heat pumps can be installed under permitted development in England, with one allowed for most homes and two for detached houses.
Permitted development rights for heat pumps relaxed in England
Changes to permitted development rights in England from 29 May 2025 removed the one metre boundary rule, raised the size limit to 1.5m3 and allowed two heat pumps on detached houses.
Volume limits in para. G.2(d) substituted by S.I. 2025/560
Amendments in force from 29 May 2025 restate the outdoor compressor unit volume limits for permitted development air source heat pumps in England at 1.5 cubic metres for dwellinghouses and 0.6 cubic metres for blocks of flats.
Which? responds to easing of planning rules for electric vehicle chargers
Which? has welcomed the easing of planning rules for electric vehicle chargers and called on the government to improve public charging coverage and charger maintenance.
MY-PV SOL•THOR available to order from Wind & Sun
Wind & Sun has announced that the MY-PV SOL•THOR, a DC power manager that sends solar array output straight to a heating element, is now available to order in the UK.
Ofgem announces £18.6 million compensation and debt write-off for unauthorised prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has set out compensation guidelines requiring energy suppliers to pay £5.6 million and write off £13 million of debt for at least 40,000 customers given prepayment meters without permission.
Ofgem decides to update operating cost and debt allowances structure
Ofgem has decided to restructure the operating cost and debt allowances inside the energy price cap, cutting the total allowance by an average of £8 per customer from 1 July 2025.
Ofgem publishes updated price cap levels for 1 July to 30 September 2025
Ofgem has set the default tariff price cap for 1 July to 30 September 2025 at £1,720 a year for a typical dual fuel household paying by Direct Debit, down £129 or 7% from the previous level.
Lithium-ion battery charger recalled from end users
A lithium-ion battery charger sold through TikTok has been recalled from end users after the safety regulator found it presented a serious electric shock risk.
Ofgem extends prepayment meter warrant protections to 30 June 2027
Ofgem has extended the licence conditions that cap warrant costs and bar forced prepayment installation in exceptional cases, keeping them in force until 30 June 2027.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
New Pod Point domestic warranty statement takes effect for Solo 3S chargers
Pod Point has published a new domestic warranty statement, version 1.0, covering Solo 3S chargers bought or hired from 21 May 2025 with a 60 month period on purchased units.
Point-of-sale upgrade regulations from Heat in Buildings Bill abandoned
The Climate Change Committee has confirmed that Scottish Government proposals to require home upgrades at the point of sale have been abandoned, with no replacement measures yet set out.
Product safety report first published for Caple heat pump tumble dryers
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has published a safety report for Caple heat pump tumble dryers, models TDi4001 and TDi4000, which present a fire risk and are subject to a manufacturer modification programme.
Product safety report published for Haier heat pump tumble dryers
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has published a safety report on two Haier heat pump tumble dryer models that can ignite through an internal short circuit, with a manufacturer modification programme under way.
E3G publishes briefing on economic case for Warm Homes Plan
E3G briefing says delivering the £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan would raise GDP, create 9,000 skilled jobs a year, cut bills for 3 million households and reduce gas imports.
Elmhurst publishes analysis of solar PV requirements for new homes
Elmhurst Energy has published its analysis of the two solar PV options in the 2023 Future Homes Standard consultation, setting out the calculation, industry concerns and its own response.
Affected products scheduled to return to the MCS Product Directory
MCS has granted a six-month grace period for solar mounting products whose certification was withdrawn when the MCS 012 standard changed, with the products returning to the directory on 16 May.
Grant Aerona products approved under ECO4 Innovation
Three Grant Aerona air source heat pump products were approved under ECO4 innovation measure 037, with the date of approval given as 16 May 2025 in Ofgem's register.