Energy Calculators

Rules and changes

Changes to energy prices, grants and rules for homes, with the date and the official source for each.

Checked 13 November 2026. We add new changes when Ofgem, GOV.UK or legislation.gov.uk publish them.

Coming up

  1. Next price cap period starts

    Ofgem sets the price cap every three months. The current cap runs to 31 December 2026, so a new one starts on 1 January 2027.

    Source: Ofgem: Energy price cap and standing charges explained

  2. Extra heat pump grant for oil and LPG homes ends

    Until March 2027, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme pays an extra £1,500 towards an air or ground source heat pump in a home heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas connection.

    Source: GOV.UK: Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, what you can get

  3. No VAT on electricity ends

    Ofgem says there is no VAT on electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.

    Source: Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges

Already happened

  1. Warm Homes Loan Scheme opens

    Government-backed loans for heat pumps, batteries, solar panels and other upgrades, with interest up to 5 percentage points lower than regular loans. Ten lenders are taking part at first.

    Source: GOV.UK: Warm Homes Loan Scheme factsheet

  2. Price cap rises and VAT on electricity is removed

    The cap for October to December 2026 is £1,723 a year for a typical home paying by Direct Debit, up 4% on the previous period. There is no VAT on electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.

    Source: Ofgem: Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges

  3. Plug-in solar allowed in Great Britain

    Plug-in solar panels with an output of up to 800 watts can be plugged into an ordinary socket, if the device meets the government's Plug-in Solar Device Interim Product Specification. It must not store electricity taken from the mains.

    Source: The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 and Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (Amendment) Regulations 2026

  4. Planning rules updated for plug-in solar in England

    Permitted development rules for solar on homes now cover plug-in solar. It is not permitted on a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure, or on timber cladding.

    Source: The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2026

  5. Ofgem lowers its typical household use figures

    Ofgem now describes a typical home as using 2,500 kWh of electricity and 9,500 kWh of gas a year, down from 2,700 kWh and 11,500 kWh.

    Source: Ofgem: Review of typical domestic consumption values, decision

  6. Warm Homes Plan published

    The government's plan to cut energy bills and upgrade homes.

    Source: GOV.UK: Warm Homes Plan