Powering Homes News: page 30
- May 2025
Alpha launches Custom Hybrid heat pump and boiler solution
Alpha has launched the Custom Hybrid, a system pairing a Magis M heat pump with E-Tec or Evoke boilers through a Hybrid Interface Kit, aimed at homes that cannot take a heat pump alone.
Energy Systems Catapult responds to DESNZ consultation on privately rented homes energy performance
Energy Systems Catapult has backed government proposals to raise the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C from 2030, in a consultation response published on 15 May 2025.
Great British Energy Act received Royal Assent
The Great British Energy Act received Royal Assent on 15 May 2025, creating a publicly owned clean energy company backed by £8.3 billion to invest over this parliament.
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund replaced with Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund has been replaced by the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which funds local authorities and social housing landlords to improve energy performance in England.
Utility Warehouse May fixed launch
Utility Warehouse has replaced its UW Fixed 46 and UW Fixed Saver 46 tariffs with 47-numbered versions, part of a wave of July 2025 fixed-rate launches and removals across UK suppliers.
Google announces it will stop launching new Nest thermostats in Europe
Google will stop launching new Nest thermostats in Europe and will end software and security updates for its first and second generation models from 25 October 2025.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem smart meter guaranteed standards consultation
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on new guaranteed standards of performance for smart meters, backing the proposals while calling for shorter fault time limits.
NEA publishes response to Ofgem smart meter guaranteed standards consultation
National Energy Action has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on guaranteed standards of performance for smart meters, backing proposed post-install aftercare and remedy measures.
Committee publishes Retrofitting homes for net zero report
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has published a report on retrofitting homes for net zero, calling for longer funding certainty, a national advice service and a carbon metric for home energy performance.
Version 4 Statement of Intent withdrawn
Edinburgh City Council has withdrawn its 2024 Statement of Intent for ECO4 and GBIS flexible eligibility, replacing it with Version 5 and confirming the scheme closes in April 2026.
LONGi launches HIBC module and EcoLife consumer brand at Intersolar Munich
LONGi has unveiled the Hi-MO S10, the first commercialised heterojunction back contact solar module, and a new EcoLife consumer brand aimed at the residential market.
Panasonic launches Aquarea Home app with expanded compatibility
Panasonic has launched the Aquarea Home app for Android and iOS, adding room-by-room control and weekly scheduling across its Aquarea room products and heat pumps.
Consultation closed on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
The government consultation on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales closed on 2 May 2025, with 1,920 responses received.
UK Government consultation on EPC band C for PRS closes
The UK Government consultation on requiring privately rented homes in England and Wales to reach EPC band C before being let closed on 2 May 2025, with the standard proposed from 2028.
Regulatory Review Group wrote to the Cabinet Secretary with EPC reform advice
The Regulatory Review Group wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy on 2 May 2025 with five recommendations on Scottish EPC reform, all of which ministers have accepted.
RPC issued a formal opinion on proposed permitted development rights amendments
The Regulatory Policy Committee has issued a formal opinion on government proposals to widen permitted development rights for off-street electric vehicle charge points and air source heat pumps on domestic premises.
BEV registrations rise 25.8% to 21.8% market share
Battery electric vehicle registrations rose 25.8% in May 2025 to take 21.8% of the new car market, though the year-to-date share of 20.9% remains below the 28% regulatory mandate.
Committee recommends long-term retrofit funding to at least 2035
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has called on the Government to set out long-term funding for home retrofit running to at least 2035, warning that short-term schemes have failed to give households and installers confidence.
Committee recommends national warm homes advice service
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has called on the Government to launch a national warm homes advice service and add a carbon metric to home energy certificates, in a report published on 9 May 2025.
Debt allowance set at £71 per customer per year
Ofgem has set the debt allowance within the energy price cap at £71 per customer per year, the bottom of the range it consulted on and £2 above current allowances.
ECA and 53 businesses urge Government to honour £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan commitment
The Electrical Contractors' Association has joined 53 businesses and trade bodies in signing a letter urging the Government to honour its manifesto commitment to invest £13.2bn in the Warm Homes Plan.
New electrical safety check laws come into force for social rented homes in England
Five-yearly electrical safety inspections became mandatory in England's social rented homes on 1 May, with social landlords facing fines of up to £40,000 for non-compliance.
Enphase launches fourth generation IQ Battery family
Enphase has launched a fourth generation IQ Battery family, which the maker says delivers nearly 34% greater energy density than its predecessor and uses fewer components on the wall.
Free public EV chargers decline to 1,837
Zapmap data shows 1,837 of the UK's public EV charging devices were free to use as of May 2025, a small and shrinking share of the wider network.
UK gas networks submit 2026 to 2031 plans for green gas capacity
Britain's five gas networks have filed plans for 2026 to 2031 to connect more than 30TWh of new biomethane production capacity, as a new taskforce claims feedstock could support far more.
Government decides SAP 10.3 will be available as an alternative to HEM for the Future Homes Standard
The Government has decided that an updated version of SAP, known as SAP 10.3, will be approved for use with the Future Homes Standard as an alternative to the Home Energy Model, with a period of dual running.
Modification programme for heat pump tumble dryers added
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has added a modification programme for several brands of heat pump tumble dryer to its product recalls and alerts list, citing a risk of fire.
OPSS publishes Safety Reports on heat pump tumble dryer fire risk
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has told Haier its modification programme for heat pump tumble dryers is not satisfactory, and more than 17,000 owners must stop using the appliances.
Secondary legislation for mid-scheme changes due to be laid in May 2025
The government has confirmed mid-scheme changes to the Energy Company Obligation 4 and Great British Insulation Scheme, with secondary legislation due to be laid in May 2025 and come into force from July.
SMNCC status quo approach retained with technical changes
Ofgem has kept its existing method for setting supplier operating cost and debt allowances in the energy price cap, updating the cost data to 2023 and cutting the allowance by £8 per customer on average.