Powering Homes News: page 36
- February 2025
Energy UK responds to Government consultation on EPC reform
Energy UK has responded to the Government's consultation on reforming the Energy Performance of Buildings regime in England and Wales, backing four new EPC metrics and faster progress.
UK gas prices reach two-year high
UK gas prices reached a two-year high in early February 2025 before falling back, with the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit warning that gas remains the main driver of household energy bills.
Government consults on reforming EPCs with new metrics
The government is consulting on reforming Energy Performance Certificates, proposing a primary fabric performance standard with a secondary standard based on smart readiness or heating system efficiency.
Government publishes consultation on review of the fuel poverty strategy
The government published a consultation in February 2025 on a new fuel poverty strategy for England, seeking views on how to accelerate progress to deliver warm homes.
MCS begins tracking self build installations
MCS began recording certified renewable installations on self build properties from February 2025, a category that accounted for 1% of its certified work last year.
NIC report on electricity distribution networks published
The National Infrastructure Commission has said the UK will need £37 to 50 billion of investment in electricity distribution by 2050 to deliver flexibility, according to a February 2025 report.
Ofgem announced it would fine suppliers breaching back billing rules
Ofgem said in February 2025 that it would fine energy suppliers that keep breaching its back billing rules, which limit how far back a supplier can charge for energy used.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Ofgem announces third consecutive price cap rise for April to June 2025
Ofgem has set the April to June 2025 Default Tariff Cap at £1,849 a year for a typical dual fuel household, a third consecutive rise and the first April cap above January's since quarterly updates began.
Ofgem launched a consultation on a zero standing charge option within the energy price cap
Ofgem has opened a consultation on a zero standing charge option within the energy price cap, setting out three ways to move fixed daily charges into higher unit prices.
Ofgem opens stakeholder consultation on RTS licence modification
Ofgem has opened a stakeholder consultation on changing electricity supply licence conditions covering metering obligations, as the Radio Teleswitch Service is due to end in June 2025.
Ofgem ran initial consultation on Debt Relief Scheme proposals
StepChange has set out its response to Ofgem's initial consultation on the proposed Energy Debt Relief Scheme, backing automatic eligibility and questioning conditions attached to debt write-off.
PCA and HOA call on government to review spray foam in schemes
The Property Care Association and Home Owners Alliance have asked the government to review whether spray foam insulation should stay within government insulation schemes, citing continuing problems for homeowners.
- January 2025
DESNZ announced a further £25 million, increasing the BUS Year 3 budget from £150 million to £205 million
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero added £25 million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme's third-year budget on 30 January 2025, taking it to £205 million, with permission to over-allocate vouchers to £280 million.
West Midlands Mayor launches £167 million energy efficiency fund
The West Midlands Combined Authority has announced a £167 million energy efficiency fund to upgrade up to 14,000 low-income homes and spend £36 million on public buildings.
Lords debate on ECO4 and insulation schemes
Peers pressed the government on 29 January over suspended installers, who pays for repairs if firms fail, and how 65,000 households will be told about faulty solid wall insulation.
tado° launches heating curve optimisation feature
tado° has launched a heating curve optimisation function that lets owners of its Heat Pump Optimizer X set their heat pump's heating curve from the tado° app.
Enphase introduces the IQ EV Charger 2 smart charger
Enphase has announced the IQ EV Charger 2, a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart charger that works with its home energy system and carries a five-year warranty.
Nest publishes 2023-24 annual report
Nest has published its 2023-24 annual report, showing 4,816 Welsh households received home energy improvement packages and 12,809 received free energy saving advice.
SSEN sets out Storm Éowyn compensation for customers off supply
SSEN has confirmed automatic compensation of £85 for Storm Éowyn outages lasting more than 48 hours, plus £40 for every additional six hours, and its own food and accommodation payments.
Enphase Energy System integrates into Octopus Energy smart tariffs in the United Kingdom
Enphase Energy has integrated its Energy System with Octopus Energy's smart tariffs in the United Kingdom, including Intelligent Octopus Flux, following a strategic relationship announced last year.
Rinnai to introduce updated E-Series with 17CE water heater in early 2025
Rinnai has announced an updated E-Series range for the UK, beginning with the 17CE Condensing External Water Heater, a gas-fired continuous flow unit due early in 2025.
Welsh Government sets out fuel poverty measures in written statement
Jane Hutt's 27 January written statement sets out Welsh Government fuel poverty spending on benefit take-up, crisis funds, fuel vouchers and the Warm Homes Nest scheme, and renews calls for standing charge reform.
Grants and SchemesRules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
SSEN reconnects almost 70,000 customers after Storm Éowyn with restoration continuing
SSEN restored power to 92,000 customers in northern Scotland after Storm Éowyn, with the final homes reconnected on the evening of 29 January 2025.
DESNZ issues statement about potential issues with ECO and GBIS installations
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has issued a statement on potential problems with Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme installations, Ofgem has confirmed.
Rules and RegulationGrants and SchemesInsulation and Glazing
Emergency Response Plan activated for Storm Éowyn
NIE Networks activated its Emergency Response Plan from 23 January 2025 for Storm Éowyn, suspending normal work and directing resources to incident centres until power was restored.
Government announces action against unreliable installers
Which? has welcomed joint government and Ofgem action to secure repairs for households affected by poor insulation work and urged ministers to set a date for mandatory installer certification.
UK Government announces action on poor quality solid wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS
The UK Government has announced action over poor quality solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS, including suspending installers, with affected households to be contacted by Ofgem.
Government announces letters to solid wall insulation householders under ECO4 and GBIS
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP has told the House of Commons that letters will go to householders whose homes had solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 or the Great British Insulation Scheme, with Ofgem running the mailout.
Grants and SchemesInsulation and GlazingRules and Regulation
Government Statement announces Ofgem oversight and remediation plan for ECO4 and GBIS solid wall insulation
The Government has told Ofgem to oversee quality checks on all 65,000 solid wall insulation installations under ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, after audits found widespread poor work.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingGrants and Schemes
Government suspends 39 businesses from installing new solid wall insulation
The government has suspended 39 businesses from installing new solid wall insulation after TrustMark checks found substandard work under ECO4 and GBIS, and has told Ofgem to oversee repairs.
Insulation and GlazingGrants and SchemesRules and Regulation