Powering Homes news, page 3
- October 2026
Octopus Energy published boiler flow temperature guidance
Octopus Energy has published guidance suggesting combi boiler flow temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees, with a saving of up to £65 cited, as Nesta puts the average saving at £57.
Polling shows public concern over energy bills as gas prices rise
Polling for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation finds 28% of the public extremely worried about winter bills and 66% wanting more government action, as gas prices rose 27% year on year from 1 October.
Scottish Government publishes heat in buildings strategy progress update
The Scottish Government has published a progress update on its heat in buildings strategy, marking 50,000 households supported through Warmer Homes Scotland and a promised social landlord standard in 2027.
SSE Airtricity raises gas prices by almost 19%
SSE Airtricity has raised gas prices by 19.2% for about 200,000 domestic and small business customers in the greater Belfast and west network areas, adding almost £172 to a typical annual bill.
Typical household gas bills to be 33% higher than in April from 1 October
Typical household gas bills will be 33% higher than in April from 1 October, about £200 a year, while electricity bills rise only 4%, according to Nesta analysis.
- September 2026
Household energy bills rise by 4%
Household energy bills rose 4% from 30 September 2026 under Ofgem's price cap, with gas bills up far more than electricity as wholesale gas prices reach their highest level since 2022.
Scottish Government announces winter heating payments for over 1 million people from autumn 2026
The Scottish Government says an estimated 1.4 million winter heating payments will be made from October 2026, with rates set at £62.00, £265.50 and between £105.55 and £316.70.
Government announces devolution of Warm Homes Plan
The Energy Secretary has announced that the Warm Homes Plan, the government's £15 billion home upgrade funding pot, will be devolved to Mayors and local authorities under a new Great Home Upgrade programme.
Plug-in solar panels legal in UK but RCD compatibility check needed
Plug-in solar panels are legal and on sale across Great Britain, but Electrical Safety First says many homes need a Type A bidirectional RCD before the panels can be used safely.
Article reports 2026 solar installation surge and plug-in panel launch
Nearly 172,000 solar installations have been fitted across the UK since the start of 2026, with plug-in panels now on sale and rooftop solar driving more than seven in ten July installations.
Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme extended into winter
The Scottish Government has extended the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme beyond its initial six months, keeping support open for low-income households using heating oil and LPG over winter.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandBoilers and Heating
Final evaluation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme published
The government has published the final evaluation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, covering property owners' experiences, satisfaction with low carbon heating systems and the scheme's value for money.
OFTEC responds to consumer protection consultation for home upgrade schemes
OFTEC has told a government consultation that consumer protections for home heating work should cover every household, not only government funded jobs, and that competent person scheme registration should be mandatory.
Record number of heat pump grant applications in England and Wales
Nesta says Department for Energy Security and Net Zero statistics show a record number of households in England and Wales applying for Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grants, driven by oil and gas price rises.
Uswitch identifies cheapest fixed deal undercutting October cap
Uswitch data collected on 24 September identifies an 18-month Fuse Energy deal at £1,688 a year for a typical home, £35 below the October price cap.
Government announces £90 million for new and upgraded heat networks
The government has announced £90 million for new and upgraded heat networks, including £41 million for a River Thames project intended to supply 650,000 homes with clean heat.
Dwellow launches new heat pump calculator
Dwellow has launched a free interactive heat pump running cost calculator that recalculates figures in real time as users change heating demand, efficiency, tariff and energy price assumptions.
Qualifying week for 2026 winter heating payments begins
The qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026 has begun, fixing eligibility and payment amounts for the Winter Fuel Payment and Scotland's Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
Winter Fuel Payment claims open for winter 2026/27
Claims for the winter 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment opened on 21 September 2026 and close on 31 March 2027, with most eligible households paid automatically in November or December.
Household Electricity Discount Scheme to continue in 2027 and 2028
Northern Ireland's Economy Minister has confirmed a £63 electricity bill discount for around 860,000 households from 6 October, with the scheme continuing in 2027 and 2028.
Coalition sets out seven-point winter rescue plan for the Chancellor's Budget
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has sent the Chancellor a seven-point Budget submission centred on writing off energy crisis arrears, as gas unit rates are forecast to double by January 2027.
Rules and RegulationYour Type of HomeEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
More than 120 organisations call for levies to be moved off electricity bills
More than 120 organisations, coordinated by Energy UK and the Electricity Bills Taskforce, have written to the Chancellor urging that levies be moved off electricity bills and onto general taxation before the Autumn Budget.
NGN announces 17-week gas mains upgrade on Welham Road, Norton
Northern Gas Networks will begin a 17-week gas mains replacement on Welham Road in Norton, North Yorkshire, from 21 September, starting with a three-week road closure and then multi-way traffic lights.
Anker SOLIX launches XE all-in-one home energy storage in UK and Ireland
Anker SOLIX has launched the XE, an all-in-one home battery with integrated inverter, in the UK and Ireland through authorised installers, with capacities from 7 kWh to 126 kWh.
Heating oil spot price up 95.3 per cent year on year
EUA reports the heating oil spot price at 102.3p per litre on 14 September 2026, up 95.3 per cent on the same day last year and above the 12-month average of 77.8p.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to UK Government consultation on consumer protection for home upgrade schemes
Consumer Scotland has told a UK Government consultation it supports plans to reform consumer protection for home upgrade schemes, while seeking clarity on how a new service would work alongside Scottish programmes.
NAO warns that delayed grid upgrades could increase household energy bills
The National Audit Office has warned that without urgent electricity grid upgrades, constraint costs paid by consumers could rise from around £1.9bn to £7.8bn by 2030.
NESO identifies grid projects requiring acceleration
The National Audit Office has said grid upgrade delays risk pushing constraint costs from around £1.9bn in 2025-26 towards £7.8bn by 2030, with NESO naming three projects for acceleration.
Product safety report published for ROMADA EV charger presenting serious risk of electric shock
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has published product safety reports for two ROMADA electric vehicle chargers, both presenting a serious risk of electric shock, with imports rejected at the border.
Public Accounts Committee report finds water, energy and broadband regulators fail to do enough for vulnerable people
The Public Accounts Committee has told Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom they are not doing enough for consumers who cannot afford their bills, and wants discounted tariffs made the default for the most financially vulnerable.