https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/Powering Homes news: UK home energy news.en-gbhttps://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/winter-fuel-payment-claims-open-winter-2026-27-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/winter-fuel-payment-claims-open-winter-2026-27-2026/Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTClaims for the winter 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment opened on 21 September 2026 and close on 31 March 2027, with most eligible households paid automatically in November or December.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/household-electricity-discount-scheme-continue-2027-2028-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/household-electricity-discount-scheme-continue-2027-2028-2026/Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTNorthern Ireland's Economy Minister has confirmed a £63 electricity bill discount for around 860,000 households from 6 October, with the scheme continuing in 2027 and 2028.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/coalition-sets-out-seven-point-winter-rescue-plan-chancellor-s-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/coalition-sets-out-seven-point-winter-rescue-plan-chancellor-s-2026/Wed, 16 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe End Fuel Poverty Coalition has sent the Chancellor a seven-point Budget submission centred on writing off energy crisis arrears, as gas unit rates are forecast to double by January 2027.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/more-than-120-organisations-call-levies-moved-off-electricity-bills-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/more-than-120-organisations-call-levies-moved-off-electricity-bills-2026/Tue, 15 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTMore than 120 organisations, coordinated by Energy UK and the Electricity Bills Taskforce, have written to the Chancellor urging that levies be moved off electricity bills and onto general taxation before the Autumn Budget.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/ngn-announces-17-week-gas-mains-upgrade-welham-road-norton-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/ngn-announces-17-week-gas-mains-upgrade-welham-road-norton-2026/Tue, 15 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTNorthern Gas Networks will begin a 17-week gas mains replacement on Welham Road in Norton, North Yorkshire, from 21 September, starting with a three-week road closure and then multi-way traffic lights.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/anker-solix-launches-xe-all-one-home-energy-storage-ireland-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/anker-solix-launches-xe-all-one-home-energy-storage-ireland-2026/Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTAnker SOLIX has launched the XE, an all-in-one home battery with integrated inverter, in the UK and Ireland through authorised installers, with capacities from 7 kWh to 126 kWh.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/heating-oil-spot-price-up-95-3-per-cent-year-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/heating-oil-spot-price-up-95-3-per-cent-year-2026/Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTEUA reports the heating oil spot price at 102.3p per litre on 14 September 2026, up 95.3 per cent on the same day last year and above the 12-month average of 77.8p.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/consumer-scotland-publishes-response-government-consultation-consumer-protection-home-upgr/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/consumer-scotland-publishes-response-government-consultation-consumer-protection-home-upgr/Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTConsumer Scotland has told a UK Government consultation it supports plans to reform consumer protection for home upgrade schemes, while seeking clarity on how a new service would work alongside Scottish programmes.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/nao-warns-delayed-grid-upgrades-could-increase-household-energy-bills-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/nao-warns-delayed-grid-upgrades-could-increase-household-energy-bills-2026/Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe National Audit Office has warned that without urgent electricity grid upgrades, constraint costs paid by consumers could rise from around £1.9bn to £7.8bn by 2030.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/neso-identifies-grid-projects-requiring-acceleration-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/neso-identifies-grid-projects-requiring-acceleration-2026/Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe National Audit Office has said grid upgrade delays risk pushing constraint costs from around £1.9bn in 2025-26 towards £7.8bn by 2030, with NESO naming three projects for acceleration.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/product-safety-report-published-romada-ev-charger-presenting-serious-risk-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/product-safety-report-published-romada-ev-charger-presenting-serious-risk-2026/Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Office for Product Safety and Standards has published product safety reports for two ROMADA electric vehicle chargers, both presenting a serious risk of electric shock, with imports rejected at the border.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/public-accounts-committee-report-finds-water-energy-broadband-regulators-fail-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/public-accounts-committee-report-finds-water-energy-broadband-regulators-fail-2026/Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Public Accounts Committee has told Ofgem, Ofwat and Ofcom they are not doing enough for consumers who cannot afford their bills, and wants discounted tariffs made the default for the most financially vulnerable.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/consultation-reforming-consumer-protection-home-upgrade-schemes-closes-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/consultation-reforming-consumer-protection-home-upgrade-schemes-closes-2026/Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe government consultation on reforming consumer protection for home upgrade schemes closed at 11:59pm on 10 September 2026, with feedback now being analysed.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/energy-publishes-response-desnz-consultation-reforming-consumer-protection-home-upgrade-20/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/energy-publishes-response-desnz-consultation-reforming-consumer-protection-home-upgrade-20/Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTEnergy UK has published its response to a government consultation on consumer protection for home upgrade schemes, backing installer accountability, a single certification body and a stronger Warm Homes Agency.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/mcs-sets-out-consumer-protection-under-redeveloped-installer-scheme-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/mcs-sets-out-consumer-protection-under-redeveloped-installer-scheme-2026/Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTMCS has set out the consumer protections that will apply under its redeveloped installer Scheme, including in-house complaints handling, free binding dispute resolution and financial protection of at least six years.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/predbat-v9-0-2-released-foxcloud-feed-first-ge-cloud-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/predbat-v9-0-2-released-foxcloud-feed-first-ge-cloud-2026/Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTPredBat version 9.0.2 selects Feed-in First for Fox Cloud freeze export, fixes GE Cloud scheduled charge control and adds a myenergi zappi option for automatic configuration.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/wholesale-gas-prices-hit-four-year-high-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/wholesale-gas-prices-hit-four-year-high-2026/Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTUK wholesale gas reached levels last seen in December 2022, approaching 200p per therm on 9 September 2026, while heating oil prices exceeded their previous five-year highs.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/faq-page-approved-document-l-2026-edition-published-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/faq-page-approved-document-l-2026-edition-published-2026/Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published answers to common questions on the 2026 edition of Approved Document L, setting out how solar requirements apply to new homes in England.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/raw-charging-marks-world-ev-day-free-charging-across-national-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/raw-charging-marks-world-ev-day-free-charging-across-national-2026/Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTRAW Charging marked World EV Day with free charging across its national AC network and at selected Ultra-rapid hubs, according to a Zapmap news item published on 8 September 2026.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/tax-information-impact-note-published-temporary-vat-zero-rate-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/tax-information-impact-note-published-temporary-vat-zero-rate-2026/Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTHM Revenue and Customs has published the tax information and impact note for a temporary zero rate of VAT on qualifying domestic electricity in Great Britain, running from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/totalenergies-begins-delivery-tfl-rapid-ultra-rapid-charging-rollout-across-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/totalenergies-begins-delivery-tfl-rapid-ultra-rapid-charging-rollout-across-2026/Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTTotalEnergies has started delivering Transport for London's rapid and ultra-rapid charging rollout across the capital, according to a news report published on 8 September 2026.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/ukas-approves-mcs-installer-scheme-updates-air-air-heat-pumps-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/ukas-approves-mcs-installer-scheme-updates-air-air-heat-pumps-2026/Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTUKAS has approved updates to the redeveloped MCS Installer scheme to incorporate air-to-air heat pumps, allowing MCS to begin accrediting certification bodies for the technology.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/consultation-launched-proposed-welsh-public-energy-company-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/consultation-launched-proposed-welsh-public-energy-company-2026/Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Welsh Government has opened a consultation on proposals for a single national public energy company owned by the people of Wales, running until 30 November 2026.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/predbat-v8-55-0-released-improved-plan-history-view-pv-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/predbat-v8-55-0-released-improved-plan-history-view-pv-2026/Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTPredbat has released version 8.55.0, improving its plan history view and PV clipping predictions and extending the manual rate override horizon to seven days.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/predbat-v9-0-0-released-moving-givtcp-rest-own-component-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/predbat-v9-0-0-released-moving-givtcp-rest-own-component-2026/Sun, 06 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTPredbat has released version 9.0.0, refactoring GivTCP REST handling into a standalone component and adding Octopus Intelligent Go and inverter fixes for home battery control.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/firmus-energy-ten-towns-tariff-increase-9-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/firmus-energy-ten-towns-tariff-increase-9-2026/Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Utility Regulator has confirmed a 9% rise in firmus energy's regulated gas tariff in the Ten Towns network, announced on 4 September 2026 after a review of the supplier's costs.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/uswitch-updated-green-energy-guide-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/uswitch-updated-green-energy-guide-2026/Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTUswitch updated its green energy guide on 4 September 2026, publishing current supplier fuel mix figures and the standards a tariff must meet to carry its Green Accreditation badge.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/zapmap-guide-updated-five-ways-find-pay-ev-charging-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/zapmap-guide-updated-five-ways-find-pay-ev-charging-2026/Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTZapmap has updated its guide to finding and paying for public EV charging, covering live charge point status, in-app payment across more than 40 networks, EV model profiles, route planning and driver check-ins.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/predbat-v8-54-3-released-critical-security-fix-credential-leakage-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/predbat-v8-54-3-released-critical-security-fix-credential-leakage-2026/Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTPredbat has published a security update that stops its home battery control software leaking credentials through apps.yaml downloads and debug dumps, alongside a set of smaller fixes.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/scottish-government-publishes-fuel-poverty-scenario-modelling-october-december-2026-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/scottish-government-publishes-fuel-poverty-scenario-modelling-october-december-2026-2026/Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTScottish Government modelling estimates around 820,000 fuel poor households in Scotland, 32 per cent of all households, for the October to December 2026 price cap period, up around 20,000 on the previous quarter.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/tado-makes-multi-home-available-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/tado-makes-multi-home-available-2026/Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTtado° has launched Multi Home, a software feature letting customers manage several properties and both its V3+ and X product lines from one account in the tado° app.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/voco-tech-solutions-ltd-joins-energy-ombudsman-scheme-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/voco-tech-solutions-ltd-joins-energy-ombudsman-scheme-2026/Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTVoco Tech Solutions Ltd has joined the Energy Ombudsman scheme, giving its customers in Great Britain access to independent dispute resolution from 2 September 2026.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/cadent-publishes-2025-gas-emergency-call-figures-north-west-east-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/cadent-publishes-2025-gas-emergency-call-figures-north-west-east-2026/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTCadent has published figures showing more than 67,000 smell of gas calls in the North West and over 43,500 in the East Midlands during 2025, on the national gas emergency number.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/edf-updates-tariff-terms-conditions-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/edf-updates-tariff-terms-conditions-2026/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTEDF published its latest update to its residential tariff terms and conditions on 1 September 2026, covering cancellation rights, payment rules, smart meter data and the circumstances in which supply can be transferred to another supplier.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/hive-discontinues-security-cameras-homeshield-devices-while-thermostats-remain-supported-2/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/hive-discontinues-security-cameras-homeshield-devices-while-thermostats-remain-supported-2/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTWhich? reports that Hive will discontinue its security cameras and Homeshield devices, while its smart thermostats remain on sale and supported in the consumer group's latest testing.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/instagen-solar-centre-octopus-plug-kits-due-end-september-2026-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/instagen-solar-centre-octopus-plug-kits-due-end-september-2026-2026/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTInstaGen, The Solar Centre and Octopus Energy are preparing plug-in solar kits for UK households, with InstaGen kits due by the end of September 2026 at an RRP of £549.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/inverter-12-2k5-smart-available-september-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/inverter-12-2k5-smart-available-september-2026/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTVictron Energy's Q3 2026 Euro price list marks the Inverter 12/2k5 Smart as available from September at € 650, alongside two other September inverter lines.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/mvp-deployment-planned-autumn-winter-2026-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/mvp-deployment-planned-autumn-winter-2026-2026/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTOfgem has confirmed the Retail Energy Code Company as delivery body for the Consumer Consent Solution, with a minimum viable product planned for deployment in autumn or winter 2026.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/nisep-schemes-2026-27-approved-live-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/nisep-schemes-2026-27-approved-live-2026/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme's schemes for 2026-2027 have been approved and are live, drawing on an £8 million fund collected from electricity customers.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/reformed-epc-regulations-brought-force-autumn-2026-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/reformed-epc-regulations-brought-force-autumn-2026-2026/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTReformed Energy Performance Certificate regulations in Scotland are due to come into force in autumn 2026, introducing a new Heat Retention Rating on domestic certificates.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/scottish-government-publishes-programme-government-2026-2031-confirming-heat-buildings-202/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/scottish-government-publishes-programme-government-2026-2031-confirming-heat-buildings-202/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe Scottish Government's Programme for Government 2026 to 2031 confirms a long-delayed heat in buildings bill, but makes no mention of fuel poverty in its plans.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/uswitch-solar-comparison-tool-launched-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/09/uswitch-solar-comparison-tool-launched-2026/Tue, 01 Sep 2026 08:00:00 GMTUswitch 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.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/sse-airtricity-gas-tariffs-rise-19-2-1-october-2026-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/sse-airtricity-gas-tariffs-rise-19-2-1-october-2026-2026/Fri, 28 Aug 2026 08:00:00 GMTSSE 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.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/amendment-regulations-come-force-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/amendment-regulations-come-force-2026/Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:00 GMTAmendment 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.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/amendments-class-made-town-country-planning-general-permitted-development-england-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/amendments-class-made-town-country-planning-general-permitted-development-england-2026/Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:00 GMTAmendments 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.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/anker-solix-puts-solarbank-4-pro-pre-sale-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/anker-solix-puts-solarbank-4-pro-pre-sale-2026/Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:00 GMTAnker 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.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/citizens-advice-publishes-smart-metering-consumer-protection-paper-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/citizens-advice-publishes-smart-metering-consumer-protection-paper-2026/Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:00 GMTCitizens Advice has published a paper recommending new Guaranteed Standards for smart meters and a tighter government definition of an "operating" meter in public reporting.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/press-release-heat-pump-applications-heating-oil-households-under-boiler-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/press-release-heat-pump-applications-heating-oil-households-under-boiler-2026/Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe 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.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/wiser-2nd-generation-radiator-thermostat-launched-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/wiser-2nd-generation-radiator-thermostat-launched-2026/Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:00 GMTDrayton 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.https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/citizens-advice-publishes-hitting-rationing-wall-energy-affordability-2026/https://poweringhomes.co.uk/news/2026/08/citizens-advice-publishes-hitting-rationing-wall-energy-affordability-2026/Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:00:00 GMTCitizens 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.