Powering Homes News: page 9
- April 2026
Energy UK and BFY Group publish Demand Better report calling for retail energy market reset
Energy UK and BFY Group have published Demand Better, a report calling for a reset of the retail energy market to deliver flexibility, dynamic pricing and stronger consumer protections.
MCS reported progress towards implementing air-to-air heat pumps
MCS has set out competency rules and standards changes for certifying air-to-air heat pumps, with installers needing Level 3 refrigeration competence and certification bodies seeking UKAS accreditation.
Windfall Energy prepares to open pre-orders for first limited run of Windfall Batteries
Windfall Energy says it is about to open pre-orders for a first limited production run of its plug-in home battery, aimed at flats and rental homes that cannot fit solar or conventional batteries.
British Gas Energy Trust highlights up to £1,700 grants for prepayment meter customers in debt
The British Gas Energy Trust has publicised grants of up to £1,700 for prepayment meter customers in energy debt in England, Scotland and Wales, open regardless of who supplies their energy.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
GivEnergy Ltd enters administration with Chris Brooksbank of CB Business Recovery appointed as Administrator
GivEnergy Ltd, a UK supplier of home batteries and inverters, entered administration on 9 April 2026, ceased trading and made all employees redundant, with hardware warranties no longer honoured.
Amended Approved Documents published ahead of Future Homes and Buildings Standard
Amended Approved Documents L and F for England have been published ahead of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, with the main provisions coming into force on 24th March 2027.
Welsh Government publishes Approved Document L 2026 and Approved Document F Volume 1
The Welsh Government has published Approved Document L 2026 Volumes 1 and 2 and Approved Document F, Ventilation, Volume 1, setting new build fabric and ventilation standards for Wales.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme confirmed at £400 million for 2026 to 2027
The Secretary of State has confirmed a Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget of £400 million for 2026 to 2027, covering England and Wales.
BUS grant uplifted to £9,000 for heating oil and LPG users
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant for homes heated by oil or LPG has risen to £9,000, £1,500 more than the standard rate, with the change expected to take effect in July 2026.
Citizens Advice published its response on the future role of DNOs
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem that the evidence does not yet justify giving electricity distribution network operators a bigger role in energy efficiency and low carbon technologies.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersWhere Our Energy Comes From
Clean Heat Market Mechanism target begins
From 1 April 2026 boiler and heating appliance manufacturers must meet 6% of their sales with heat pumps or buy credits under the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.
Connections Charging Statement effective from 1 April 2026
Cadent Gas has published a Connections Charging Statement effective from 1 April 2026, alongside standard pricing for domestic gas connection alterations in its East Midlands network.
Energy Systems Catapult responds to DESNZ Home Energy Model consultation
Energy Systems Catapult has told the government that Energy Performance Certificates should use real-world data and report outcomes rather than name specific technologies.
Future Now website launched with free Homewise tool access
The Future Now website has launched with advice on heat pumps and other energy technologies and free access to the Homewise tool, after the Peterborough Accelerated Net Zero project closed.
Government moves to break the link between gas and electricity prices
The government has announced voluntary long-term fixed-price contracts for existing low-carbon generators, a move intended to reduce how often gas sets the wholesale electricity price.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapWhere Our Energy Comes From
MCS Redeveloped Installer Scheme rollout began
Ofgem's Boiler Upgrade Scheme installer guidance confirms MCS is rolling out a redeveloped installer scheme through 2026 and into early 2027, alongside rule changes effective 28 April 2026.
Ofgem launches one-year lower standing charge tariff pilot
Ofgem has begun a one-year pilot under which four large suppliers offer eligible households lower standing charge tariffs, testing whether cutting the daily fixed fee changes how customers use energy.
Public EV charging cheaper than petrol or diesel for most drivers for first time in over a year
ChargeUK analysis of RAC Fuel Watch and Zapmap Price Index figures shows public charging at about 15p per mile against 17p for petrol and 17.5p for diesel, the first time in over a year it has been cheaper.
Publication of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026
BSI published BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 on 15 April 2026, adding a chapter on stationary battery storage and giving installers until 15 October 2026 before the previous edition is withdrawn.
Regulations come into force and scheme year 16 begins
The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2026 came into force on 1st April 2026, continuing the scheme to 2030 with a £150 rebate and a £78 million non-core spending obligation for scheme year 16.
Revised Flexi variable charges apply from 1 April 2026
ScottishPower has published revised variable cost values for its 2026 Flexi product, effective 1 April 2026, showing changes to unit rates and standing charges across network regions.
Rolling submissions for ECO4 to GBIS reassignment open
Ofgem will allow energy suppliers to make rolling submissions to reassign ECO4 delivery to the Great British Insulation Scheme from 30 April 2026, under guidance published for the scheme's final year.
Solis lists S6-EH3P(30-60)K-H(21A) storage inverter
Solis has listed the S6-EH3P(30-60)K-H(21A), a three phase high voltage storage inverter supporting PV input up to 100kW, in its inverter catalogue.
Updated Guaranteed Standards of Performance Customer Payment Scheme document published
National Grid Electricity Distribution has published the April 2026 edition of the Guaranteed Standards of Performance Customer Payment Scheme, setting out when households are owed money for lengthy power cuts.
WHD cost recovery moves to the unit rate from 1 April 2026
The government has confirmed that energy suppliers should recover Warm Home Discount costs from the unit rate for electricity and gas from 1 April 2026, moving the charge off the standing charge.
- March 2026
Cadent reports RIIO-2 fuel poverty figures as of 31 March 2026
Cadent has published fuel poverty and affordability figures correct as of 31 March 2026, reporting that it exceeded its RIIO-2 targets for advice, tools and Centres for Warmth.
Changes made to the Warm Home Discount Scheme in response to consultation
Ofgem has confirmed changes to the Warm Home Discount from April 2026, following a government consultation that closed in January 2026, with scheme year 16 opening on different dates in England, Wales and Scotland.
Current warm home discount regulations expire
The regulations underpinning the Warm Home Discount expire on 31 March 2026, with a 2025 instrument extending the period for issuing rebate notices and widening eligibility for winter 2025-26.
ECO4 Innovation applications stop being accepted
Ofgem has stopped accepting ECO4 Innovation Measure and Data Light Measure applications after 31 March 2026, though applications received before that date will still be considered.
Grants and SchemesRules and RegulationInsulation and Glazing
Innovation Measure and Data light Measure applications close
Ofgem has closed the ECO4 Innovation Measure and Data light Measure application routes, with no applications accepted after 31 March 2026, following amendments to the ECO4 Order.