PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2026 18 EnergyMatters


App highlights best tariff What your customers are looking for online


A new ‘tariff recommendation’ feature is now available on the Levelise app, helping customers choose the best energy tariff based on how they use energy and how their home devices are optimised. In partnership with My Utility


Genius, the tool goes beyond basic comparisons. It looks at each home’s energy usage, solar generation, heating, EV charging and battery behaviour, then recommends tariff s that make the most of time-of-use pricing and fl exibility market earnings. The new feature ensures


customers are on a plan that works with how their assets are being controlled and traded, so they’re not missing out on value from smart charging, export


timing, or fl exibility. It’s fully integrated with Levelise’s optimisation engine, meaning customers benefi t from higher savings and earnings without needing to manage anything themselves. The app has been designed to


make it easier for households to get the most out of their energy setup. It monitors tariff s in real time and alerts customers if a better one becomes available, with a simple switching journey built in. Iván Castro, operations director


at Levelise, comments: “Home- owners shouldn’t have to worry about whether they’re on the right tariff or if their battery is working hard enough for them. We’re making energy eff ortless – the app recommends the best plan, the Hub manages devices in the background, and customers simply enjoy lower bills and higher earnings.” ◼ phamnews. co.uk/226/23


New research by energy specialists at Uswitch has identifi ed which energy-saving and environmentally friendly upgrades are attracting the greatest interest among consumers. The study examined a range of technologies – including heat pumps, solar panels and biomass boilers – by analysing online search data to measure average monthly search volumes and year-on-year changes across search engines, retail sites and social media platforms. Solar panels had the highest


online searches across Google, major social media channels and Amazon. Wind turbines came second overall in the research. While less popular than solar panels, off -grid power sources like turbines can be added to homes either through rooftop or standalone options. While generally more expensive than solar panels, Uswitch suggests that the UK’s status as the


windiest country in Europe means that retrofi tting wind turbines can often generate a signifi cant amount of energy. Underfl oor heating-related


searches have decreased across all major platforms, although it remains the third most popular energy-saving installation and can represent a cost-eff ective option for new build homes or when building a new room or extension.


Smart thinking Smart thermostats are the fourth most popular energy-saving device, despite only 35% owning or considering installing them. With costs between £100 to £200 to install, smart thermostats don’t directly save money on energy bills but can help users to better manage consumption.


Biomass boilers are the next


popular for internet searches. While they can be expensive to install, those living in rural areas and unconnected to the gas grid could be eligible for £5,000 off installation costs as part of the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme. While the research shows


increased interest in energy-saving retrofi ts, survey analysis also uncovers that two-thirds (61%) of homeowners believe upfront cost is the biggest barrier to retrofi tting. Nearly two-thirds (60%) feel


they do not know enough about the fi nancial support or grants available to retrofi t, while nearly half (48%) feel that retrofi tting feels too disruptive, confusing or complex. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/226/24


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