PHAM NEWS | OCTOBER 2025 18 EnergyMatters


BEAMA urges broader


government support


Government support for heat decarbonisation should extend beyond heat pumps to include a wider range of modern electric heating systems, according to a new paper from BEAMA. The organisation has


relaunched its publication What Should I Do? with an updated ‘Heat Options Matrix’, intended to guide policymakers in identifying which technologies to back through incentive schemes. While heat pumps are a core


element of the UK’s net zero strategy, BEAMA argues that alternatives such as flexible thermal storage are essential to delivering the forthcoming Warm Homes Plan. It says recognising these technologies would ensure that the 20% of homes considered unsuitable for heat pumps are not excluded, while also creating up to 10 gigawatts of grid flexibility by 2030 – a level it claims is far above current projections. The group argues that a broader


approach could deliver immediate bill savings through efficiency gains and storage-based flexibility, as well as long-term benefits


from time-of-use tariffs and grid services. BEAMA says it has presented


its proposals to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, urging reforms to VAT and electricity pricing, alongside better access to independent local advice. It has also called for measures to ensure that fuel-poor households are able to benefit from modern heating technologies. “By adding the Heat Options


Matrix to What Should I Do?, we are equipping government, industry, and households with the clarity needed to make the right choices,” comments BEAMA CEO Yselkla Farmer. “The political message is simple: provide viable and sustainable options for every home and help consumers answer the question ‘what should I do?’” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1025/26


Zuno scales for growth


Zuno, the technology and services platform behind home energy fi rm BOXT, is investing £15m over the next year to expand its digital tools and distribution network for installers and households. The company, which supports more than 15,000 engineers nationwide, has also confi rmed a partnership with energy supplier E.ON Next to deliver integrated services for customers. The deal will provide access to a range of technologies, including heat pumps, solar panels, EV chargers and effi cient boilers, as part of eff orts to support the UK’s transition to low-carbon homes. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1025/28


Rising grid costs to impact energy bills


Households in Great Britain face an estimated £30 rise in energy bills from April 2026, driven by higher costs to operate the electricity transmission network. Consultancy Cornwall Insight forecasts the increase, which feeds into Ofgem’s price cap, could reach £50 by 2028. The projection follows publication of new fi ve-year Transmission Network Use of System tariff s by the National Energy System Operator. These charges cover fees energy suppliers pay to use the high- voltage grid, regulated by Ofgem and passed on to consumers. Other non-wholesale costs are also set to rise. Analysts expect revised gas and electricity network charges, plus new fees to


Small-scale renewables hit August high


The number of small-scale renewable energy systems certifi ed in the UK reached its highest level for August on record, according to the Microgeneration Certifi cation Scheme (MCS). More than 25,400 installations were certifi ed, covering solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage systems, signalling continued growth among households and small businesses. Battery storage saw the sharpest


rise, with 3,217 systems certifi ed – more than double August 2024 – bringing the total installed to over 50,000, with more than half added in 2025 alone. Heat pump installations also increased, with nearly 4,700 certifi ed in August


Retrofi t success depends on handover


Billions of pounds pledged for making homes more energy effi cient could fail to deliver their intended impact unless residents are supported to use low-carbon systems eff ectively, new research suggests. The study by BSRIA, the building


services testing and research body, shows that while almost all construction professionals recognise the importance of occupant behaviour in achieving energy savings, most projects are not being followed up once residents move in. The fi ndings raise concerns that


the government’s £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan, set to be launched before the end of the year, may not achieve its full ambitions unless greater emphasis is placed on post-occupancy evaluation. The report found that 76% of


environmental controls, resulting in higher running costs and reduced effi ciency. Consumer awareness also


remains low. More than half of households surveyed said they did not know what retrofi t means, and only a third believed that such works would reduce energy use. Around half of homeowners were unclear about the role of retrofi t in meeting carbon targets. Tom Garrigan, executive


professionals admitted they do not prioritise post-occupancy checks, despite evidence that the performance gap between predicted and real-world outcomes can be as much as 300%. Such discrepancies, according to BSRIA, often arise when households are unfamiliar with new heating systems and


director at BSRIA, says that implementing retrofi t measures without proper support leaves both energy savings and comfort levels at risk. He argues that handovers should go beyond installation and include education to ensure homeowners understand how to operate low- carbon technologies. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1025/30


price cap between January and April 2026.


The increases refl ect the scale of investment required for the UK’s energy transition. More power is being generated in remote locations, particularly off shore wind farms in the North Sea, demanding new transmission lines to deliver electricity to homes. Grid upgrades are also needed to accommodate rising demand from heat pumps and electric vehicles.


support nuclear power stations, to add more than £100 to the


Much of the additional cost is likely to appear through higher standing charges, the fi xed daily fees that have sparked criticism for limiting consumers’ ability to cut their bills. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1025/27


and over 40,000 installed so far this year, supported in part by government incentives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems


remained the largest segment, with more than 17,500 certifi ed last month, taking the cumulative total to 1.8 million since the scheme began. MCS CEO Ian Rippin says:


Team eff ort to save bills


Octopus Energy has partnered with LG Electronics to bring more affordable, low-carbon heating and cooling to homes across Europe. LG’s heat pumps and air conditioners will be paired with Octopus’s Kraken smart platform, which optimises devices to run when energy is cheapest and greenest, helping households cut bills and reduce carbon emissions. The partnership launches


in the UK and Germany, with plans to expand across the continent and eventually cover additional appliances. Heating is one of Europe’s largest climate challenges, responsible for around a fifth of carbon emissions, and governments are backing heat pumps to replace polluting gas boilers.


“Off the back of a record-


breaking fi rst half of the year for MCS certifi ed installations, it’s a positive sign to see us continue to reach important milestones. Our priority is to continue giving people confi dence in home-grown energy, which is at the forefront of our redeveloped Scheme and the new-look MCS website.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1025/29


Octopus CEO Greg Jackson,


pictured above with LG president Thomas Yoon, says: “Heat pumps are the linchpin of clean, affordable heating and LG makes some of the best on the market. By plugging them and their AC units into our Kraken tech, we can make them even cheaper to run, giving households an easy way to cut their bills while helping the planet.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/1025/31


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