The UK Government has announced its Warm Homes Plan, designed to tackle fuel poverty and help the nation cut its fuel bills. There are some good things in there, but with electricity prices still high and some limitations based on the housing stock, I don’t think that it goes far enough.
Although designated the Warm homes Plan, the £15bn, a lot of what’s being made available is about cutting energy costs, and moving peopel to carbon-neutral heating, via heat pumps.
Cheaper solar panels are a win
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One element that I heartily agree with is the incentives to get solar panels installed. Relatively cheap, straightforward to do, and capable of generating free electricity, solar panels are brilliant.
Under the new scheme, low-income families could receive fully-funded solar and battery installations, and those in social housing could see entire streets upgraded. For everyone else, government-backed low- or zero-interest loans for solar panels, batteries and heat pumps will be available reducing the cost of installation.
This is a good thing. Properly installed, solar panels have a real impact on energy bills and can cut costs, and even earn you money via a feed-in tariff (currently, you can get up to 15p per kWh of energy that you export back to the grid).
As good as solar is, there are some limitations on the technology, notwithstanding that the point where you need the most power (Winter) is when you generate the least amount of electricity.
from my experience,on a cold sunny day,my solar array can output near 2kW; on a cloudy,overcast day,that drops to around 150W. I have a south-facing roof, which is ideal, but if your house can only have solar panels installed on a north-facing roof, or is orientated east/west, you’ll generate less power.
Of course, the thing that makes the most difference is how many solar panels you can have installed. On a small Victorian terrace (which I live in, and of which there are around 6 million in the UK), you’re quite limited on the number of panels that you can have installed; if you’ve got a large home with a big roof, you can have a much bigger array and generate a lot more power. If you live in a flat, even if you’re on the top floor, good luck getting solar, is all I can say.
Batteries are good, but have their issues
The scheme also funds batteries, which store power and output it later on. Ideally, you charge the battery via solar, and use the power when it’s dark, but with a time-of-use tariff, you can top up a battery on cheap power.
Sounds great, but there are some limitations, and how much solar power you generate, how much the battery costs, and how cheap your off-peak power is,all have a part to play.
Not to mention that you have to find somewhere t
The Importance of Insulation and Smart Technologies for UK Homes
The UK government has recently adjusted its approach to home energy efficiency, with some advocating for prioritizing incentives for green technologies over thorough insulation schemes. While investment in technologies like heat pumps is crucial, the unique characteristics of the UK’s housing stock – a critically important proportion of which consists of older homes with solid walls, single glazing, and ventilation for moisture control – necessitate a continued focus on insulation.Even basic loft and underfloor insulation often proves insufficient in these properties due to persistent draughts, leading to rapid heat loss.
Energy Efficiency and the Role of Insulation
Maintaining a pleasant indoor temperature requires adding heat at a rate exceeding heat loss. Well-insulated homes demonstrably require less energy for both heating and maintaining temperature, while poorly insulated homes experience significant energy waste and rapid cooling. Insulating solid walls, however, presents challenges. External insulation, while effective, can alter a property’s appearance, and internal insulation reduces room size. Moreover, these options can be costly. according to Checkatrade, external wall insulation costs can range from £6,000 to £30,000 https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/external-wall-insulation-cost/.
Despite the costs, insulation remains a vital component of energy efficiency, benefiting both household finances and the environment, regardless of the heating system in use. Given the age of much of the UK’s housing,making insulation upgrades affordable to reduce carbon emissions remains a sensible strategy.
Smart heating Controls for Enhanced Efficiency
Alongside insulation, smart heating controls offer immediate and impactful energy savings. Systems like Wiser and Tado X allow for individual room temperature control, enabling users to heat only occupied spaces, significantly reducing energy consumption. These upgrades currently lack government funding despite their potential for rapid returns on investment, irrespective of the heating source.
Transitioning away from Fossil Fuels & Prioritizing Energy Efficiency
The UK’s commitment to moving away from fossil fuels requires a multi-faceted approach. While developing and implementing new green technologies is essential, concurrently addressing energy costs at the source and improving the insulation of older homes must be prioritized.
Latest Verified Status (as of January 26, 2026): The UK government continues to refine its energy efficiency policies.In late 2025, the Department for energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced a revised version of the Great British Insulation Scheme, focusing on targeted support for low-income households https://www.gov.uk/government/news/great-british-insulation-scheme-launched. The scheme aims to improve energy efficiency in over 300,000 homes. Furthermore, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) continues to fund energy efficiency measures for eligible households.The adoption of smart heating controls is increasing, driven by rising energy prices and growing consumer awareness, but remains largely reliant on private investment.
Primary Entity: UK Housing Stock/Energy Efficiency in the UK
Related Entities:
* Checkatrade: (Cost information provider) https://www.checkatrade.com/
* Wiser: (Smart heating system) https://www.wiserenergy.com/
* Tado X: (Smart heating system) https://www.tado.com/
* Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ): (UK Government Department) https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-energy-security-and-net-zero
* Great British Insulation Scheme: (Government initiative) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/great-british-insulation-scheme-launched
* Energy Company Obligation (ECO): (Government initiative) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/energy-company-obligation-eco
