Powering Homes News: page 6
- June 2026
Zapmap updates user charging tips guide
Zapmap has updated its quick tips guide for new electric car owners, drawing on advice from its users on charging, payment holds and running costs.
NAO report finds millions unaware of support with household bills as debt soars
The National Audit Office has found that debt to water and energy companies has passed £7 billion while millions of households remain unaware of social tariffs and repayment plans.
ECIU report quantifies household savings from net zero technologies
A report from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit estimates a typical household with insulation, a heat pump, solar with a battery and an electric vehicle saves almost £1,600 in 2026.
Five electrotechnical bodies issue joint statement urging caution on plug-in solar panels
Five electrotechnical bodies have told Government that plug-in solar panels should not reach the mass market until product standards, enforcement and installation rules are fully in place.
Community Energy Fund share offer surpasses £500,000 target
Low Carbon Hub's Community Energy Fund share offer has passed its £500,000 target early and stays open for over-raising up to £1.2 million for a community-owned battery storage project.
Ofgem publishes final PPM Market Compliance Review report
Ofgem's final prepayment meter market compliance review reports £7,037,003 in compensation, £13 million in debt written off and £55 million in support, with 1,925 wrongful installations found.
Government sets proposed Seventh Carbon Budget level at ~87% emissions reduction for 2038-42
The government has laid a draft Seventh Carbon Budget before Parliament, adopting the Climate Change Committee's advised target of around 87% emissions reduction for 2038 to 2042.
BEV market share reaches record 30.0% in June 2026
Battery electric cars took a record 30.0% share of UK new car registrations in June 2026, the highest monthly figure so far this year, but the SMMT says the market remains short of mandated targets.
New figures released on energy debt among UK households
Opinium research for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition finds 31% of UK adults are in energy debt or worried about falling behind, with a median debt of £750 among those owing money.
First LDES Cap and Floor window supported 16 projects
Ofgem has published minded-to decisions to give cap and floor investment support to 16 long-duration electricity storage projects totalling 7.6GW and 137GWh of capacity.
Government publishes consultation on consumer protection for home upgrades
The Government has opened a consultation on reforming consumer protection for home upgrades, with proposals for a single end-to-end service and a public register of approved installers.
Ofgem consults on proposed Debt Outcome and Billing Outcome
Ofgem has consulted on a proposed Debt Outcome and a proposed billing outcome, part of a wider move to outcomes-based regulation of how suppliers treat customers who are behind on their bills.
Ofgem publishes version 3 of Warm Home Discount guidance for England and Wales
Ofgem has published version 3 of its Warm Home Discount guidance for England and Wales, covering scheme years 16 to 20 after the scheme was extended from 2026 to 2031.
Permitted development rights for air source heat pumps updated in Wales
Permitted development rights for air source heat pumps in Wales were updated on 1 June 2026, raising the unit size limit, allowing two units on detached homes and permitting air-to-air installations.
Rules and RegulationHeat PumpsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Registration requirement for free warranty extension applies to new inverters commissioned on or after this date
Fronius has confirmed that new inverters commissioned from 1 June 2026 must be registered in its Solar.web portal to qualify for the free warranty extension.
Survey finds 15 million UK adults unwell during June heatwave
Opinium research for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition found 28 per cent of UK adults, around 15 million people, felt unwell because of the heat during June's record-breaking heatwave.
- May 2026
firmus energy raises Ten Towns gas tariffs by 15.65% from 1 July 2026
firmus energy has announced a 15.65% rise in regulated gas tariffs for domestic and small business customers in its Ten Towns network areas, effective from 1 July 2026.
Power NI residential tariff to rise 6.2% from 1 July 2026
Power NI, Northern Ireland's largest electricity supplier, will raise its residential credit meter tariff by 6.2% from 1 July 2026, the Consumer Council has announced.
MCS 020a to become the only permitted certification scheme for air source heat pumps
From 28 May 2026 the MCS 020a planning standard becomes the only certification scheme accepted for air source heat pump installations under permitted development rights in England.
Secretary of State published new BUS grant categories and values
The Secretary of State has published a grant change notice setting new Boiler Upgrade Scheme categories and values, with uplifted grants of £9,000 for eligible off-gas grid properties from 21 July 2026.
Consumer Scotland publishes Energy Affordability Tracker findings showing record energy debt
Consumer Scotland's Energy Affordability Tracker finds 19% of Scottish households reporting energy debt, a record high, as Ofgem confirms a 13% price cap rise from July.
Latest UK energy price cap increase announced
The latest UK energy price cap increase has been announced, with the Stove Industry Association saying households will again be thinking carefully about how they heat their homes this winter.
Ofgem decides to update gas and electricity TDCVs from 1 July 2026
Ofgem has confirmed lower typical domestic consumption values for gas and electricity, to be used across the energy sector from 1 July 2026, after consulting on the figures in March.
Ofgem publishes updated energy price cap levels for 1 July to 30 September 2026
Ofgem has published the energy price cap for 1 July to 30 September 2026, raising the Direct Debit annual bill level from £1,641 to £1,862, a 13% increase driven by wholesale gas costs.
NEPC warns government to speed up electricity system digitalisation for Clean Power 2030
The National Engineering Policy Centre has told government to speed up digitalisation of the Great Britain electricity system, warning that weak coordination and slow smart meter uptake put Clean Power 2030 at risk.
Product Eligibility List updated
Ofgem updated the Boiler Upgrade Scheme Product Eligibility List on 21 May 2026, the administrative tool that identifies heat pumps and biomass boilers meeting the scheme's MCS standards.
Climate Change Committee publishes A Well-Adapted UK report
The Climate Change Committee has published A Well-Adapted UK, warning that heat, flooding and drought threaten UK homes and setting out cooling, flood protection and water security as priorities.
Consultation on updating standards for local space heating products closes
A government consultation on replacing ecodesign rules for local space heaters in Great Britain closed on 20 May 2026, with officials now analysing the responses.
Wales' first hydrogen home opens to visitors
Wales & West Utilities has opened a retrofitted terraced home heated with green hydrogen to public visitors, calling it Wales' first hydrogen home and a UK-first retrofit of its kind.
New TechnologyWhere Our Energy Comes FromScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Zapmap updates its EV connector types guide
Zapmap has updated its guide to electric vehicle charger connector types, setting out the power levels and cable requirements for the connectors used on UK cars and charge points.