Powering Homes News: page 7
- May 2026
Citizens Advice responds to conclusion of Ofgem British Gas prepayment meter investigation
Citizens Advice has responded to the conclusion of Ofgem's investigation into British Gas prepayment meter installations, saying the settlement shows forced installations have serious consequences and calling for real compensation.
Partial settlement terms changed for new Sunsave Plus contracts
Sunsave has changed the partial settlement terms on Sunsave Plus solar subscription contracts signed from 15th May 2026, with earlier contracts keeping different arrangements.
Brighton & Hove cabinet approves citywide smoke control area
Brighton & Hove's cabinet has approved a single citywide smoke control area to replace five existing zones, with resident communications planned for autumn 2026 ahead of the winter heating season.
House of Commons Library publishes home energy support briefing
The House of Commons Library published a briefing on 13 May 2026 setting out the financial support available across the UK for home energy efficiency, heating and renewable energy.
Baxi launches new range of wireless heating controls led by AmbiZen Smart Control
Baxi has introduced a wireless heating control range compatible with its air source heat pumps, boilers and cylinders, led by the AmbiZen Smart Control with app-based scheduling and energy monitoring.
Community Energy Scotland publishes guide to energy monitoring in the home
Community Energy Scotland has published a leaflet explaining home energy monitoring, released as part of its Rural Energy Hubs project, covering meters, displays, apps and smart plugs.
BUS Extension summary business case published
The government has published the summary business case supporting investment in extending the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to 2029/30, meeting a transparency requirement introduced in June 2025.
Ofgem publishes WHD annual report for scheme year 14
Ofgem's annual report on the Warm Home Discount shows suppliers spent £595.2 million in scheme year 14 and issued 3.41 million rebates of £150 to households in or at risk of fuel poverty.
Call for input on energy price cap technical approach to MHHS closes
Ofgem's call for input on adapting the energy price cap's wholesale allowance to Market Wide Half-Hourly Settlement closed on 6 May 2026, after responses were requested by 5 May.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem consultation on price cap technical approach to MHHS
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem it supports keeping a single-rate price cap alongside a time-of-use variant, but opposes moving all default consumers onto default time-of-use tariffs.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
Product safety report published for Easee One EV Charger Backplate BP-AP-1/s01-01
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has published a product safety report on Easee One EV charger backplates sold in the UK between late September 2025 and 3 February 2026 with an incorrect terminal label.
SSC Energy trading period ends
The Energy Ombudsman now lists the broker SSC Energy, trading as Ss Connections Ltd, as inactive, with its recorded trading period ending on 6 May 2026.
British Gas pledges £40 million to British Gas Energy Trust
British Gas has pledged £40 million to the British Gas Energy Trust, committing £8 million a year for five years to support households facing financial hardship and energy debt.
Energy SuppliersGrants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Elec Tech Utilities Ltd scheme membership ended
The Energy Ombudsman lists Elec Tech Utilities Ltd as inactive from 5 May 2026, meaning the broker is no longer signed up to its dispute resolution scheme.
Energy Saving Trust responds to lender energy performance consultation
The Energy Saving Trust has welcomed government proposals for a mandatory energy performance duty on mortgage lenders, but says the current scope would reach only a fraction of the homes it could.
Grant categories and values notice amended
The government has amended the details of grant categories and values in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme notice, with a further version of the approved categories and values to apply from 21 July 2026.
Sunmoon Energy trading period ends
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded Sunmoon London Ltd, trading as Sunmoon Energy, as inactive, with its membership of the ombudsman scheme running from 1 December 2022 to 5 May 2026.
Which? updates loft insulation costs and savings guidance
Which? has updated its loft insulation guidance, publishing Energy Saving Trust savings figures of up to £340 a year and RICS cost data for professionally fitted insulation.
Aira profile updated with May 2026 company description
Aira's Which? Trusted Traders profile now carries a May 2026 company description setting out its all-inclusive heat pump plan and 15-Year Aira Guarantee.
Battery electric vehicles reach 27.3% market share in May
Battery electric vehicles took a 27.3% share of UK new car registrations in May 2026, the highest monthly share so far this year, though the year-to-date figure remains below the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate target.
Baxi launches Care Kits and Care Kits Plus for preventative boiler maintenance
Baxi has launched two ranges of preventative maintenance kits containing high-wear boiler components, which it recommends fitting during annual servicing and at three to five year intervals.
DESNZ data shows solar installation costs falling
Government data shows the cost of small scale solar installations fell by 7% and larger systems by 9% between 2024/25 and 2025/26, as ministers prepare loan support.
Energy Saving Trust updates cavity and solid wall cost and savings figures
The Energy Saving Trust's cavity and solid wall guides, updated May and June 2026, put average cavity wall insulation at £2,700 with £200 annual savings on a semi-detached home.
G99/NI Fast Track application limit raised to 60A per phase
NIE Networks has raised the G99/NI Fast Track application limit in Northern Ireland from 16A to 60A per phase, while keeping the export limit at 16A per phase.
Rules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes FromWind, Hydro and Micro-CHP
GivEnergy cloud premium access to become paid
GivEnergy Software will charge a single monthly fee for cloud premium access from May 2026, covering remote access, historical data, automation and API usage, while local standard access stays free.
Intended introduction of Heat in Buildings Bill after Scottish election
The Scottish Government has paused its Heat in Buildings Bill and now intends to introduce it after the Scottish Parliament returns following the May 2026 election, subject to the outcome.
Light Energy Partners Ltd trading period ends
The Energy Ombudsman lists two energy brokers, Light Energy Partners Ltd and SmartSwitch Energy, as inactive with both leaving its scheme on 1 May 2026.
Lowerbills.Biz recorded as inactive by Energy Ombudsman
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded the energy broker Lowerbills.Biz as inactive, with a leaving date of 1 May 2026, and says it cannot review disputes about the firm.
Maxeon PV module warranty becomes effective
Maxeon has set an effective date of May 1, 2026 for a revised limited warranty covering its PV modules, with 40-year terms on both product and performance cover.
MCS Customer Insights team to contact selected customers from May 2026
MCS will begin contacting selected households with certified renewable installations from May 2026 to verify certificates and check satisfaction, but only where customers have agreed to be contacted.