Powering Homes News: page 3
- August 2026
Ofgem observation window for October 2026 price cap closes
Ofgem's observation window for the October 2026 price cap closed on 19 August, with the cap to be announced by 26 August and suppliers predicting a rise of about 3.7%.
ONS releases Consumer price inflation, UK: July 2026 bulletin
The ONS reported that UK consumer price inflation rose in July 2026 for the first time since March, with gas and electricity the largest upward contributors after the July energy price cap change.
UK Power Networks rolls 'Our View' video support into business as usual
UK Power Networks has moved its Our View video support service into business as usual, giving all customers live video help with supply problems instead of waiting for an engineer visit.
MCS reported investment in its Product Scheme
MCS has appointed Bhagya Fonseka as Product Scheme Manager and is investing further in its Scheme team, saying the move will strengthen its work with certification bodies and manufacturers.
MCS strengthens Product Scheme with new appointment
MCS has announced a new appointment to strengthen its Product Scheme, the certification route that underpins product quality for small-scale renewables in UK homes.
Energy Saving Trust publishes research on heat pump, battery, solar and tariff combinations
Energy Saving Trust research across 546 homes and around 1.1 million technology and tariff combinations finds tariff choice decides whether a heat pump saves money, with integrated electric homes cutting bills by around £800 a year.
Affected product listings will expire
Solar mounting products that lost certification to the MCS 012 standard in May 2025 will have their listings expired in the MCS databases on 10 August 2026, after a final grace period extension.
Warm Home Discount eligibility statement for England and Wales published for 2026 to 2027 scheme year
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published the Warm Home Discount eligibility statement for England and Wales for the 2026 to 2027 scheme year.
Citizens Advice publishes overheating research and calls for Warm Homes Plan to cover cooling
Citizens Advice research finds 44% of UK adults feel they lack control over home overheating, and the charity wants the Warm Homes Plan to fund summer cooling as well as winter heating.
Pembrokeshire FRAME secures VCMA funding for two-year energy support project
Wales & West Utilities has awarded VCMA funding to Pembrokeshire FRAME for a two-year project giving energy support to more than 5,000 residents in the county.
Grants and SchemesEnergy IndependenceScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Four updated MCS product standards come into effect
Four updated MCS product standards take effect on 1 August 2026, with a six-month grace period for solar PV products whose certificates are withdrawn on the same date.
Government announces consultation on ZEV Mandate
The government has opened a consultation on the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, the rules governing the path to zero-emission driving by 2035, drawing a welcome from the motor industry body SMMT.
UK Government to consult on raising minimum rented EPC rating to C by 2030
The UK Government will consult on raising the minimum energy efficiency rating for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C or its equivalent by 2030, up from the current minimum of E.
Grace period begins for MCS 005 solar PV products
MCS has opened a six-month grace period for solar PV products that lose certification under updated standards, allowing existing stock to be used in certified installations until 1 February 2027.
Ofgem wrote to 65,000 households over solid wall insulation quality issues
Ofgem has written to 65,000 households that may have had poor-quality solid wall insulation fitted under the Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme since 2022.
Scottish Government published an updated BRIA for amended EPC regulations
The Scottish Government has published an updated impact assessment for amended Energy Performance Certificate regulations, confirming that previously identified impacts stand but their timing has shifted.
- July 2026
SSEN publishes Annual Vulnerability Report dated 31 July 2026
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has published its Annual Vulnerability Report for 2025-26, covering Priority Service Register growth, fuel poverty support and winter preparedness.
Ofgem opens consultation on proposed changes to the CfD cost allowance in the energy price cap
Ofgem has opened a consultation on changing how the Contracts for Difference cost allowance is calculated within the energy price cap, proposing a volume reconciliation from April 2027.
Citizens Advice publishes report recommending a national advice strategy for energy home upgrades
Citizens Advice has called for a national advice strategy covering information, advice and in-home assessments, with a gov.uk hub run by the Warm Homes Agency, to help households navigate energy home upgrades.
Uswitch research finds 59% of households saw a bill rise last quarter while streaming, music and gym are last to be cut
Uswitch research finds 59% of UK households saw at least one bill rise between April and July 2026, while streaming, music and gym spending are the last costs households would cut.
HIES unveils refreshed brand identity and new website
HIES, the home insulation and energy systems quality assured contractors scheme, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity and new website, calling it the next stage in its evolution.
UKERC publishes briefing paper on the cost of electricity in the UK
The UK Energy Research Centre has published a briefing paper analysing why domestic electricity bills are high, how bill components may move to 2030, and which reforms could cut household costs.
Government confirms law change making plug-in solar legal for UK homes from 27 August 2026
The government has confirmed that plug-in solar becomes legal for UK homes from 27 August 2026, with kits expected to retail from around £400 and savings guidance beginning to firm up.
SONI ten-year electricity network plan published
The Utility Regulator has published its decision on SONI's Transmission Development Plan for Northern Ireland 2025-34, setting out the system operator's ten-year plan for developing the electricity network.
British Gas Energy Trust calls on Prime Minister to back plan to end fuel poverty
The British Gas Energy Trust has written to the Prime Minister setting out five national priorities it says are needed to end fuel poverty across Britain.
Product Eligibility List updated
Ofgem has published a new version of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Product Eligibility List, the register of heat pumps and biomass boilers that meet the scheme's MCS standards.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant increased from £7,500 to £9,000
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for eligible off-gas grid homes in England and Wales rose from £7,500 to £9,000 on 21 July 2026, a 20% increase aimed at households heating with oil or LPG.
Ofgem publishes first Consumer Vulnerability Strategy Progress Report
Ofgem's first Consumer Vulnerability Strategy progress report finds supplier support for vulnerable households improving but uneven, with 58% of customers behind on bills lacking a repayment plan at the end of 2025.
Previous BUS grant categories and values removed, current version applies from 21 July 2026
The government has removed the previous version of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme's approved grant categories and values, with the current version to be used from 21 July 2026.
£17 million additional funding announced for Welsh housing retrofit schemes
The Welsh Government is putting a further £17 million from existing budgets into housing retrofit schemes, including more for the Nest scheme and the Optimised Retrofit Programme.