FEBRUARY 2026 | VOLUME 64 | ISSUE 1


Positive response to Warm Homes Plan ambitions


The announcement of the government’s Warm Homes Plan has been broadly welcomed by industry stakeholders for providing some long- term certainty and allocating funds to support the UK’s clean heating ambitions.


Aimed at reducing energy bills and upgrading millions of UK homes with low-carbon technologies and insulation measures, the Warm Homes Plan will enable homeowners to access low and zero-interest loans for solar panels, batteries and heat pumps, while low-income and fuel-poor households will receive fully funded upgrades backed by £5 billion of public investment. The government says it wants


to create a ‘rooftop revolution’, tripling the number of homes with solar installations. The Plan also confirms an extension of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme through to 2029/30, maintaining £7,500 grants for households switching from gas boilers to heat pumps. The programme is designed


to give households flexibility to adopt clean energy technologies on their own terms. Government- backed loans will make it easier for all homes to access solar panels, batteries and heat pumps, while new rules will encourage landlords to invest in energy efficiency


improvements for private and social tenants. By 2030, the plan aims to triple the number of homes with solar panels and expand access to heat pumps, including the first government- backed scheme for air-to-air units capable of both heating and cooling homes. Protections for renters have


also been strengthened and it is claimed that the measures could enable half a million families to be lifted out of fuel poverty over the next decade. The Plan will also see the


foundation of a new Warm Homes Agency, which the government says will bring together existing functions from across the regulator and other government arms-lengths bodies, providing consumer support while removing duplication and waste in the current delivery landscape. In revealing the programme, the


government also announced a new aim to ensure that at least 70% of heat pumps installed in the UK are made in the UK, with a trebling


of government investment in the heat pump supply chain to £90m, with additional funding for skills, innovation and UK manufacturing.


Potential savings Research and innovation foundation Nesta suggests that a typical household could save £1,000 on its energy bill if it invests in the heating upgrades promoted by the Plan. Its analysis finds that households that get a heat pump, solar panels and a battery could see their yearly bill fall from around £1,670 to around £670 under the changes. Nesta’s analysis models the


expected annual energy bill for a combination of solar PV, battery storage and electric heat pumps. By looking at these technologies against a range of current and emerging energy tariffs, the analysis projects the real-world energy bill impact of these changes for households moving away from fossil fuels. The study finds that across every low


carbon technology combination modelled, households can expect to see a reduction in their annual energy bills compared to a typical dual-fuel home that is on a standard tariff with a gas boiler. Madeleine Gabriel, director


of sustainable future at Nesta, comments: “Increasing access to technologies that can help people live more sustainably comes with significant additional benefits. Solar panels and batteries are smart choices for people looking to cut their bills, and heat pumps also ensure people can enjoy a more comfortable, consistently warm home.” Some of the industry’s biggest


brands are equally confident that the extra funding and clear direction of travel will provide a boost for the heating sector. Henrik Hansen, MD of Vaillant


UK and Ireland, comments: “The ambition for 70% of heat pumps sold in the UK to be manufactured domestically, alongside continued support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and further investment in installer skills via the Heat Training Grant, gives industry the confidence to plan, invest and scale with purpose. This rounded approach, including investment in the broader supply chain, from manufacturing to installation, not only strengthens the domestic manufacturing base but also fosters a robust ecosystem for skilled jobs and growth.” While expressing disappointment


that the government continues to ignore the potential benefits of (continued on page 4)


Inside this issue phamnews.co.uk


Gadgets & Tools See page 13


Talent Show See page 10


Business Matters See page 17


Product News See page 36


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