Rules and Regulation News: page 20
- January 2025
Ofgem opens Call for Input on the gas disconnections framework
Ofgem has opened a Call for Input on the gas disconnections framework, seeking views and cost data from industry and consumer stakeholders, with responses due by 7 March 2025.
ECA MCS Warranty provider ceases offering the warranty without notice
The ECA has told members that its MCS Warranty provider stopped offering the ECA MCS Warranty without notice on 9 January 2025, and it is checking whether the change is permanent.
Payment sums in regulation 8 substituted by S.I. 2024/1166
The sums payable by suppliers under regulation 8 of the Electricity and Gas (Standards of Performance) (Suppliers) Regulations 2015 were substituted with effect from 2 January 2025 by amendment regulations made in 2024.
38 installers suspended from government retrofit schemes
Certification bodies suspended 38 installer businesses from government retrofit schemes after quality failures, a parliamentary committee has reported, with 22 reinstated by November 2025.
The Battery Installation Standard was issued
MCS has issued MIS 3012:2025 version 1.0, a battery installation standard setting out requirements for the design and installation of battery storage systems, dated 1 January 2025.
Changes to the New Build Heat Standard come into force
Changes to Scotland's New Build Heat Standard came into force on 1 January 2025, permitting bioenergy and peat heating systems and any type of secondary heating in new buildings.
DESNZ increased the BUS Year 3 budget to £205 million with permission to over-allocate to £280 million
The government raised the Boiler Upgrade Scheme's Year 3 budget twice, from £150 million to £205 million, and allowed Ofgem to over-allocate vouchers up to £280 million.
Financial incentives for stand-alone fossil fuel boilers are to be phased out
The European Commission has issued guidance confirming that from 1 January 2025 EU Member States must not offer financial incentives for installing stand-alone fossil fuel boilers.
Future Homes Standard to be brought into force in 2025
The Future Homes Standard for England, which will require new build homes to use low carbon heating and high energy efficiency, is to be brought into force in 2025.
UK Government consults on raising product standards for tumble dryers
The UK Government consulted in 2025 on raising product standards for tumble dryers, phasing out the least efficient models and aligning Great Britain with new EU labelling rules already in force in Northern Ireland.
GSOP payment level uplifted to £40 in January 2025
Ofgem has confirmed the Guaranteed Standards of Performance payment for suppliers rose from £30 to £40 in January 2025, and is consulting on automatic inflation-linked increases.
Prohibition on single split air-conditioning systems with HFCs of GWP 750 or more
From 1 January 2025 single split air conditioning and heat pump systems holding less than 3kg of refrigerant with a global warming potential of 750 or more can no longer be placed on the market.
Regulations requiring low or zero emissions heating in existing buildings proposed from 2025
The Scottish Government's Heat in Buildings Strategy proposes requiring low or zero emissions heating systems in existing buildings from 2025, with a backstop date of 2045.
New RIBA Plan of Work Passivhaus tool launched
The Passivhaus Trust has launched a tool to streamline RIBA Plan of Work processes for delivering Passivhaus projects, listed on its Learning Hub alongside priced courses and free publications.
SAP to be replaced by Home Energy Model for EPCs
The Scottish Government has confirmed it will replace the SAP calculation method with the UK Home Energy Model and a new EPC Register, under regulations to be laid in 2025 and brought into force in 2026.
Scottish Government publishes response to EPC reform consultation
The Scottish Government has published its response to a 2023 consultation on reforming Energy Performance Certificates, introducing a new fabric-based Heat Retention Rating for homes in Scotland.
Scottish Government responds to 2023 EPC reform consultation
The Scottish Government has confirmed higher EPC lodgement fees, a shorter certificate validity period and a new rating system, with regulations due in Parliament during 2025 and in force in 2026.
- December 2024
MCS publishes updated MCS 031 heat pump standard and Excel tool
MCS has published Issue 4.0 of its heat pump pre-sale performance standard, replacing the SCoP-based estimate with a method using system type, specific heat loss and a Heat Emitter Guide lookup table.
Consultation on raising product standards for space heating opens
DESNZ opened a consultation on 17 December 2024 on updating ecodesign and energy labelling rules for space and combination heaters, including higher minimum standards for heat pumps.
Government published its response to the CCC 2024 Progress Report
The government has published its formal response to the Climate Change Committee's 2024 progress report, saying it is acting on all 35 recommendations but that only a third of the emissions cuts needed for 2030 are covered by credible plans.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem 24-7 metering support consultation
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's statutory consultation on Supplier 24-7 Metering Support, backing the proposal while raising concerns about online-only contact routes and rural connectivity.
Consultation on ECO4 and GBIS mid-scheme changes closes
The National Insulation Association has answered a government consultation on mid-scheme changes to ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, which closed on 12 December 2024.
Draft Fuel Poverty Strategy consultation opens in Northern Ireland
The Department for Communities has opened a public consultation on a draft Fuel Poverty Strategy for Northern Ireland, alongside proposals for a new fuel poverty energy efficiency scheme.
Ofgem confirms standing charge will not be lowered
Ofgem has confirmed, after a year of consultation, that it will not lower the standing charge paid by energy customers regardless of how much energy they use.
Ofgem opens consultation on energy price cap operating cost and debt allowances
Ofgem has opened a consultation on updating the operating cost and debt allowances inside the energy price cap, the first such review since the cap began in 2019.
Ofgem publishes consultation on a debt relief scheme for energy debt accrued during the energy crisis
Ofgem has opened a consultation on a one-off, time limited debt relief scheme for energy debt built up during the energy crisis, with responses due by 6 February 2025.
Consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime launched
The government opened a consultation on 4 December 2024 on reforming Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates and air conditioning inspection reports in England and Wales.
MCS publishes updated MIS 3005-D heat pump design standard
MCS has published an updated MIS 3005-D heat pump design standard, clarifying hybrid system compliance, defining hybrid and supplementary heat sources, and replacing the 100% heat load rule with a 55% minimum.
Clean Power 2030 Action Plan published with 45-47 GW solar target
The government's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan sets a solar target of 45 to 47 GW by 2030, up from 16.6 GW, as a private member's bill on solar for new homes awaits its second reading.
DESNZ announces Review of Ofgem
The government announced in December 2024 a review of Ofgem's duties, mandate, powers and approach to enforcement, a move the regulator has said could reshape how households in vulnerable situations are protected.