Powering Homes news, page 32
- May 2025
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.
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.