PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2026 10 Energy Matters Zero-upfront home battery scheme


Households missing out on savings


According to the energy cost comparison platform Smart Home Energy, millions of households are missing out on potential energy savings because major comparison services do not fully compare time-of-use electricity tariffs, despite rapid growth in electric vehicles, heat pumps and home battery storage. As the UK energy system becomes more flexible, with more households able to shift demand to cheaper hours, a growing number of suppliers now offer time-of-use tariffs that vary significantly by time of day, including much lower overnight rates compared with standard tariffs. However, many of these tariffs


are not consistently included in mainstream comparison tools, meaning consumers may only see a limited subset of available deals and miss options that better match their usage patterns.


Campaign to break from fossil fuel heating


NIBE has selected the UK as the first market globally to launch its new international brand campaign, as part of the company’s mission to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuel-based heating. The campaign introduces a


new global platform centred on a simple, but powerful message: ‘Removing fossil fuels from heating. For good’. The campaign represents an


evolution in how the company communicates the role of heat pumps in modern homes. While sustainability remains central to the company’s mission, the new platform broadens the conversation to include energy resilience, long- term security and reducing reliance on fossil fuel heating systems.


The gap is intensifying as


electrification accelerates. The UK has over two million fully electric vehicles, hundreds of thousands of heat pump installations, and rapidly rising domestic battery adoption, yet only a small proportion of households are on time-of-use tariffs.


Standard comparison platforms


are also constrained by design, with some explicitly unable to display dynamic or multi- rate tariffs, including products that require modelling of when electricity is used rather than simply total annual consumption. Households with electric vehicles charging overnight, or homes with heat pumps and battery storage, could save hundreds of pounds per year if correctly matched to the most suitable tariffs, but these opportunities are often not visible in standard comparison results. New specialised tools are


emerging that aim to close this gap by modelling real household usage patterns and comparing a wider range of tariffs, including time-of- use options, to identify potential savings more accurately. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/14


A new home battery scheme has been launched by British Gas in partnership with installer Sunsave that removes upfront installation costs and introduces two electricity tariffs aimed at cutting household energy bills. The offer allows customers to install a home battery system without paying initial capital costs, with installation typically completed within a matter of weeks. The system stores electricity when it is cheaper and uses it later. It is claimed a customer could see annual savings of up to £640 depending on household usage patterns. Two tariffs are available under the scheme. Store&Save offers a fixed 24/7 electricity rate of 11p per kWh for all household usage, which British Gas says is the lowest flat-rate tariff currently available in the market. Store&Reward offers a higher fixed rate of 22p per kWh but includes a £37.50 monthly bill credit for 24 months designed to offset the battery subscription cost, with average estimated


savings of up to £190 a year. Both tariffs are designed to integrate with battery systems that automatically optimise when electricity is drawn from the grid, shifting usage to cheaper periods where possible. Tens of thousands of UK households have installed solar panels and battery systems so far in 2026, reflecting growing consumer interest in managing energy use more actively. While batteries are often installed alongside solar, the companies


say they can still deliver savings on their own when paired with appropriate tariffs. Sunsave installs the battery system, including a 10kWh battery and inverter, in a matter of weeks. Each system comes with a 10-year product warranty, and a 10-year insurance-backed workmanship guarantee, giving customers peace of mind on performance and reliability. Customers own the battery outright and have full flexibility over their payments. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/15


EPC data shows South East retrofit gap


A new analysis of 2.76 million domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) across the South East has ranked 234 towns and villages on their readiness for low-carbon upgrades, revealing big differences in suitability for heat pumps and solar. The study by Elite Renewables


assessed efficiency, existing installations and retrofit progress across 64 local authorities. It found just 1.7% of homes in the


region are currently heated by a heat pump. Modern suburban housing


generally shows higher ‘upgrade readiness’, while older homes, flats and conservation areas face barriers linked to insulation, roof suitability and planning constraints. The data also highlights


a gap between demand and deployment. In Brighton, there are around 480 monthly


Energy prices boost PV installs


Nearly three million UK households – around one in 10 – plan to install roof-mounted solar panels within the next five years, according to new research from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service. The findings highlight a sharp rise


As the UK continues its journey


towards decarbonising heat, NIBE believes heat pumps have a critical role to play in helping households transition to reliable, future-ready heating technologies. The campaign was visible


across a range of high-profile locations in London during London Climate Action Week (20-28th June), including major outdoor advertising placements, transport hubs and targeted activations designed to engage policymakers, industry leaders


and the wider public. Olivia Downing, head of


marketing, says: “Launching NIBE’s new global campaign in the UK reflects the importance of the British market in the transition away from fossil fuel heating. The future of home heating should not depend on fossil fuels. Heat pumps offer a practical path towards reducing reliance on fossil fuel heating while delivering the comfort and reliability homeowners expect.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/17


in interest driven by volatile energy prices, with 40% of respondents saying recent ‘rollercoaster’ bills have made them more likely to invest in solar. Around two-fifths (38%) cite cutting electricity costs as their main motivation, while 29% want greater control over rising energy bills. The energy price cap rose by 13%


(£212) in July, taking the average annual bill to £1,853, with higher wholesale costs continuing to put pressure on households into the autumn and winter. Adoption is already accelerating, with around 1.7 million UK homes fitted with


solar panels and roughly 19,000 new installations added each month. Despite strong demand, barriers


remain. More than a third (35%) of households cite upfront costs as a deterrent, although consumers estimate a typical installation costs around £9,000, while industry data suggests an eight-panel system could cost closer to £4,650. Households can now get


personalised quotes from certified solar installers at Uswitch.com. They can book a free online consultation with an installer at a time that works for them to ask any questions and get a final design. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/18


searches for solar panels, yet only 0.4% of homes have solar installed. Similar patterns are seen in Portsmouth, Worthing and Southampton. The findings point to both


retrofit challenges and untapped opportunity in areas where consumer interest outpaces adoption. Use the reader link below to access the full results of the study. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/726/16


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