Powering Homes news, page 5
- September 2026
Uswitch solar comparison tool launched
Uswitch has launched a solar panel comparison tool that shows personalised quotes from MCS-certified installers, alongside published cost ranges of about £4,600 to £8,000 for systems without batteries.
- August 2026
SSE Airtricity gas tariffs to rise 19.2% from 1 October 2026
SSE Airtricity will raise its regulated gas tariff by 19.2% from 1 October 2026, affecting around 204,000 domestic gas customers across the Greater Belfast and West network areas.
Amendment Regulations come into force
Amendment regulations defining plug-in microgenerators and permitting approved plugs for them came into force on 27th August 2026, setting an 800 watt output ceiling for plug-in solar devices in the UK.
Amendments to Class A made by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/896) come into force
Amendments to Class A permitted development rights for solar equipment in England came into force on 27 August 2026, adding separate rules for dwellinghouses and a new restriction on plug-in solar fixed to timber.
Anker SOLIX puts Solarbank 4 Pro on pre-sale in the UK
Anker SOLIX has opened UK pre-sales for its Solarbank 4 Pro at £1,699, with the BP5000 Expansion Battery priced from £1,299, as plug-in solar panels became fully legal on 27th August.
Citizens Advice publishes smart metering consumer protection paper
Citizens Advice has published a paper recommending new Guaranteed Standards for smart meters and a tighter government definition of an "operating" meter in public reporting.
Press release on heat pump applications from heating oil households under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says thousands of households that heat with oil have applied for a heat pump using the £9,000 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
Wiser 2nd Generation Radiator Thermostat launched
Drayton has launched the Wiser 2nd Generation Radiator Thermostat, an upgraded smart radiator valve it says brings quieter operation, improved compatibility and a better user experience.
Citizens Advice publishes Hitting the Rationing Wall on energy affordability
Citizens Advice has published research showing households ration food and heating to absorb high energy bills, and called for policy costs to be removed, a tiered Warm Home Discount and delivery of the Debt Relief Scheme.
Ofgem publishes updated energy price cap levels for 1 October to 31 December 2026
Ofgem has published the energy price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026, with Direct Debit, Standard Credit and prepayment levels all rising 4% and Economy 7 up 1%.
Nesta heat planning tool to launch in February for local authorities
Nesta has said it will launch a heat planning tool in February, built with and for local authorities, alongside findings on air-to-air heat pumps in UK homes.
New permitted development rules for domestic solar come into force
Amended permitted development rights for domestic solar in England took effect on 27 August 2026, splitting rules for houses and blocks of flats and clarifying plug-in solar, with a 12-month transition to 27 August 2027.
Uswitch warns of difficult winter as Ofgem announces October price cap level
Uswitch has warned of another difficult winter after Ofgem announced its October price cap level, saying gas costs for price cap customers will be almost 27% higher than the same period last year.
Government publishes interim response to Gas System in Transition consultation
The Government has published its interim response to the Gas System in Transition consultation, accepting that gas will remain important for decades and that intervention may be needed as domestic production falls.
Guidance page revised on EPC changes
The Scottish Government has revised its EPC guidance and added a page setting out how Energy Performance Certificates change from 30 April 2028, with new ratings and a shorter validity period.
Phase 3 of MCS Data Dashboard launches
MCS has launched the third phase of its Data Dashboard, adding saved views, download identifiers and new tables and graphs covering small-scale renewable installations across the UK.
Scottish EPC reform delayed to 30 April 2028
Scottish ministers have pushed back the introduction of new-style Energy Performance Certificates, validity periods and rating systems to 30 April 2028, while lodgement fees still rise this October.
Deadline for eligible households to be named on energy bill for automatic Warm Home Discount
Households on means-tested benefits must be named on their electricity bill by 23 August 2026, the date suppliers will use to award the £150 Warm Home Discount automatically this winter.
CPIH and CPI annual inflation rose in July 2026
The ONS reports that CPIH annual inflation rose to 3.1% and CPI to 2.9% in the 12 months to July 2026, the first increase in both rates since March 2026, driven by higher gas and electricity prices.
Ofgem observation window for October 2026 price cap closes
Ofgem's observation window for the October 2026 price cap closed on 19 August, with the cap to be announced by 26 August and suppliers predicting a rise of about 3.7%.
ONS releases Consumer price inflation, UK: July 2026 bulletin
The ONS reported that UK consumer price inflation rose in July 2026 for the first time since March, with gas and electricity the largest upward contributors after the July energy price cap change.
UK Power Networks rolls 'Our View' video support into business as usual
UK Power Networks has moved its Our View video support service into business as usual, giving all customers live video help with supply problems instead of waiting for an engineer visit.
MCS reported investment in its Product Scheme
MCS has appointed Bhagya Fonseka as Product Scheme Manager and is investing further in its Scheme team, saying the move will strengthen its work with certification bodies and manufacturers.
MCS strengthens Product Scheme with new appointment
MCS has announced a new appointment to strengthen its Product Scheme, the certification route that underpins product quality for small-scale renewables in UK homes.
Energy Saving Trust publishes research on heat pump, battery, solar and tariff combinations
Energy Saving Trust research across 546 homes and around 1.1 million technology and tariff combinations finds tariff choice decides whether a heat pump saves money, with integrated electric homes cutting bills by around £800 a year.
Affected product listings will expire
Solar mounting products that lost certification to the MCS 012 standard in May 2025 will have their listings expired in the MCS databases on 10 August 2026, after a final grace period extension.
Warm Home Discount eligibility statement for England and Wales published for 2026 to 2027 scheme year
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published the Warm Home Discount eligibility statement for England and Wales for the 2026 to 2027 scheme year.
Citizens Advice publishes overheating research and calls for Warm Homes Plan to cover cooling
Citizens Advice research finds 44% of UK adults feel they lack control over home overheating, and the charity wants the Warm Homes Plan to fund summer cooling as well as winter heating.
Pembrokeshire FRAME secures VCMA funding for two-year energy support project
Wales & West Utilities has awarded VCMA funding to Pembrokeshire FRAME for a two-year project giving energy support to more than 5,000 residents in the county.
Grants and SchemesEnergy IndependenceScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Four updated MCS product standards come into effect
Four updated MCS product standards take effect on 1 August 2026, with a six-month grace period for solar PV products whose certificates are withdrawn on the same date.