Powering Homes News: page 31
- May 2025
SSEN begins £5.4m substation reinforcement project in Ealing
SSEN has started a £5.4m reinforcement of Southfield Road substation in Ealing, installing two new transformers to raise capacity for about 20,000 customers by Summer 2026.
Which? surveys Trusted Trader engineers on boiler repair costs
Which? asked 225 Trusted Trader heating engineers in May and June 2025 what they would charge in parts and labour to fix the 10 most common boiler faults.
- April 2025
Consultation on Boiler Upgrade Scheme amendments and clean heat certification opens
The government has opened a two-part consultation on changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and on making MCS the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations.
Government announces consultation on expanding Boiler Upgrade Scheme and skills investment
The Government has opened a consultation on expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and pledged up to 18,000 extra training places for retrofit installers, in an announcement welcomed by trade body NAPIT.
Ofgem opens consultation on heat networks fair pricing protections
Ofgem has opened a consultation on a fair pricing framework for heat networks, setting out proposals on pricing principles, cost allocation and price investigations ahead of the new regime in January 2026.
Ofgem published the ED3 price control framework
Ofgem published the ED3 price control framework on 30 April 2025, setting out how electricity distribution network investment will be planned and funded ahead of need before the 2028 to 2033 control period.
Which? launches heat pump cost savings calculator
Which? has released an online calculator showing how pairing a heat pump with a specialist electricity tariff can cut annual running costs by hundreds of pounds compared with a gas boiler.
Which? responds to Government plans to expand home heating grant options
Which? has responded to government proposals to widen the options for home heating grants, saying they could help more consumers switch to sustainable heating and bring in more trustworthy installers.
New homes sector publishes initial Net Zero Transition Plan
The Future Homes Hub and the Carbon Trust have published an initial Net Zero Transition Plan for new homes, backed by committed homebuilders and two new implementation boards.
BBC Radio 4 You and Yours covers RTS meter concerns
BBC Radio 4's You and Yours has aired concerns that hundreds of thousands of households still on Radio Teleswitch meters may lose heating and hot water when the service ends.
Nesta publishes final project update on heat pump repairs, maintenance and servicing demand
Nesta's final project update on heat pump repairs, maintenance and servicing reports that most heating firms already offer the work but face skills, scheduling and profitability barriers.
Wallbox solar charging features launched for new E.ON Next installations
E.ON Next has added solar charging features to new Wallbox installations from 28 April 2025 at no extra cost, but existing customers cannot currently upgrade.
MCS consumer protection consultation closes
MCS has closed a consultation on proposed changes to financial protection requirements for small-scale renewables, with the response to be published soon.
Government response to smart and secure electricity system consultation published
The government has published its response to the 2024 consultation on smart and secure electricity systems, confirming standards for energy smart appliances, a load control licence and tariff data rules.
ECIU analysis says ZEV mandate changes could cost families over £1000 a year
ECIU analysis published on 22 April 2025 says changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate weaken manufacturer incentives to cut electric car prices and could cost families over £1000 a year.
Version 3 added smart thermostat scores
Ofgem has added scores for smart thermostat measures to Version 3 of the Great British Insulation Scheme scores matrix, the first time heating controls have carried scores under the scheme.
Committee on Fuel Poverty response to Warm Home Discount expansion consultation published
The Committee on Fuel Poverty has published its response to the government consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme for 2025 to 2026, covering England, Scotland and Wales.
Energy Saving Trust publishes report on what the UK needs from the Warm Homes Plan
The Energy Saving Trust has published a five-pillar report setting out what the UK Government needs to do to deliver the Warm Homes Plan and its target of retrofitting five million homes.
Ofgem approved NESO connections reform proposals
Ofgem has approved NESO's connections reform proposals, moving the grid queue to a "first ready, first connected" approach that prioritises projects meeting the UK's strategic needs.
Ofgem publishes final Consumer Vulnerability Strategy
Ofgem has published a refreshed Consumer Vulnerability Strategy with four themes and a cross-cutting theme, after a consultation that drew 67 responses.
Nesta and BIT publish trial findings on coordinated low-carbon heating offers
A trial of 5,525 UK homeowners finds that coordinated neighbourhood switching to low-carbon heating does not raise uptake on its own, but adding 0% interest financing does.
EV guidance page updated with new vehicle tax rates
The GOV.UK guidance page on electric vehicle costs, charging and infrastructure was updated on 10 April 2025 to reflect updated vehicle tax rates, its first change since publication in February 2024.
Resolution Foundation publishes report on home heating transition for low-income households
The Resolution Foundation finds heat pump installation is slow and skewed to wealthier areas, with most households facing slightly higher bills after switching from a gas boiler.
Energy Saving Trust publishes response to future default tariffs consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has told a government call for evidence that suppliers should be obliged to place households on default tariffs that suit their circumstances, and that the default price cap should be reformed.
Welsh Government opens consultation on changes to permitted development rights in Wales
The Welsh Government consulted on changes to permitted development rights for air source heat pumps and off-street electric vehicle charging, opening on 8 April 2025 and closing on 1 July 2025.
Rules and RegulationHeat PumpsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
ECO4 and GBIS mid-scheme administration consultation opened
Ofgem opened a consultation on 7 April 2025 on how it will administer mid-scheme changes to ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, publishing its decision on 26 June 2025.
Government confirms mid-scheme changes to GBIS and ECO4
The government has confirmed mid-scheme changes to the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4, allowing two insulation measures per project and ECO4 delivery to count towards GBIS targets.
Ofgem publishes draft guidance update summary
Ofgem has published draft guidance and a consultation on how it will administer mid-scheme changes to ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, with responses due by 12 May 2025.
Trading Standards in Scotland report short weight solid fuel packs
Trading Standards officers in Scotland found short weight packs in 28 of 70 solid fuel product lines checked at retail outlets, with the worst deficiencies reaching 3.52kg on a 14kg pack of logs.
Visit a Heat Pump passes 1,000 bookings and 900 hosts in first year
Nesta's Visit a Heat Pump service, which lets households see a working heat pump in someone's home before buying one, reported 1,030 bookings, 1,672 booked places and 912 hosts in its first year.