Powering Homes News: page 35
- February 2025
Heat Pump Association reacts to CCC Carbon Budget 7 advice
The Heat Pump Association has responded to the Climate Change Committee's seventh carbon budget advice, citing 450,000 heat pump installations a year by 2030 and calling for action on electricity and gas price disparity.
SGN and Independent Age launch CO alarm and energy advice partnership
Independent Age and gas distributor SGN have launched a partnership giving 5,000 free carbon monoxide alarms and energy advice to vulnerable older households in southern England until 2026.
Consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2025 to 2026 published
The government has confirmed it will extend the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales to all households on means-tested benefits, but has dropped plans to widen the Park Homes scheme.
Debt allowance extension announced
Ofgem has extended the debt allowance that supports suppliers helping customers who struggle to pay, announced alongside a 6% rise in the price cap from April 2025.
DESNZ publishes consultation on expanding WHD support for SY15
DESNZ has published a consultation on expanding Warm Home Discount support for scheme year 15, with the resulting changes due to come into force in September 2025.
Government consults on expanding the Warm Home Discount
The government has opened a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount, proposing to bring around 2.7 million more households into the £150 scheme from next winter.
Government extends Warm Home Discount Scheme
Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will rise 6 per cent to £1,849 a year from April 2025, and noted a government extension to the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
NEA polling finds 49% of GB adults expect to ration energy
National Energy Action polling with YouGov finds 49% of GB adults expect to ration energy, as Ofgem raises the price cap 6.4% to £1,849 a year for a typical household from 1 April.
Ofgem announces energy price cap increase for April to June 2025
Ofgem has raised the energy price cap by 6.4 per cent for April to June 2025, taking a typical household bill to £1,849 a year, and the government is consulting on a wider Warm Home Discount.
Ofgem confirms extension of the price cap debt-related costs Float allowance
Ofgem has confirmed it will keep the temporary debt-related costs allowance in the energy price cap at £31 per dual fuel customer until its operating costs review takes effect or September 2025.
Ofgem opens consultation on tariff without standing charge
Ofgem has opened an industry consultation on introducing a tariff without a standing charge, announced alongside a 6% rise in the price cap for April to June 2025.
National Infrastructure Commission published its distribution networks study
The National Infrastructure Commission published a study on 21 February 2025 setting out 14 recommendations to prepare Britain's local electricity distribution networks for net zero.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem consultation on energy debt relief scheme
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem's proposed energy debt relief scheme but wants it simplified, focused on crisis-caused debt and financed by energy networks at zero interest rather than by consumers.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
SSEN Priority Services Register reaches one million customers
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has signed up its one millionth Priority Services Register customer, saying more of its 3.9 million customers now have tailored support during power outages.
Mitsubishi Electric launches augmented reality app for Ecodan heat pumps
Mitsubishi Electric has launched an augmented reality app that lets households see how an Ecodan air source heat pump would fit in their home before they buy one.
Resolution Foundation publishes Sunny day savings on rooftop solar and bills
The Resolution Foundation says a 3kW rooftop solar system could save a family up to £440 a year and cut fuel poor households' bills by 24 per cent, but warns that upfront costs are locking poorer households out.
Trust publishes response to Ofgem debt relief consultation
The British Gas Energy Trust has backed a targeted one-off energy debt relief scheme in its response to Ofgem's consultation, provided it forms part of a long-term affordability strategy.
Consultation opened on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes
The government has published its response to a consultation on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for privately rented homes in England and Wales to EPC C by 2030.
Energy Ombudsman responds to Ofgem Forward Work Programme 2025/6 consultation
The Energy Ombudsman has backed Ofgem's 2025/6 work programme, including standing charge reform, debt and affordability work, smart meter enforcement and licensing of aggregators from 2026.
Warmer Homes London launched by the Mayor in partnership with London Councils
Warmer Homes London launched on 7 February 2025, a Mayor of London and London Councils scheme using the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve energy efficiency in homes across 31 boroughs.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem debt relief scheme consultation
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's consultation on a debt relief scheme, backing a Debt Guarantee and a shorter back-billing limit for households with smart meters.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Ofgem consultation on debt relief scheme closes
Ofgem's consultation on improving debt standards and on a proposed debt relief scheme closed on 6 February 2025, with decisions intended to be in place for next winter.
Ofgem publishes response to ECO4 and GBIS mid-scheme changes consultation
Ofgem has published its response to the government's consultation on mid-scheme changes to the Energy Company Obligation 4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
CCC advises 87% emissions cut by 2040 under seventh carbon budget
The Climate Change Committee has advised that the UK cut emissions to 87% below 1990 levels by 2040, in its seventh carbon budget advice covering 2038 to 2042.
CCC gave Seventh Carbon Budget advice to UK Government
The Climate Change Committee's Seventh Carbon Budget advice, given to the UK Government in February 2025, sets out a Balanced Pathway to Net Zero with detailed implications for home heating and buildings.
CCC publishes 7th Carbon Budget advice
The Climate Change Committee's seventh carbon budget advice predicts household use of non-heat pump electric heating will rise from 7 per cent to 16 per cent by 2040, with flexible thermal storage reaching 15.7GW.
Climate Change Committee advises no role for hydrogen in heating buildings
The Climate Change Committee's seventh Carbon Budget advice to government found no role for hydrogen in heating buildings, according to a consultation response citing the committee's position.
Climate Change Committee publishes seventh carbon budget
The Climate Change Committee's seventh carbon budget set out the role heat pumps will play in meeting UK carbon targets, with around half of UK homes needing one by 2040.
Committee launches two-part cost of energy inquiry
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee opened a two-part inquiry into the causes of and solutions to high energy costs in the UK, with its first report published in October 2025.
DESNZ consulted on proposals to expand the Warm Home Discount scheme
The government consulted in February 2025 on expanding the Warm Home Discount, a £150 electricity bill rebate, and confirmed in June that the wider eligibility rules would apply from winter 2025/26.