CMA Calls for Stronger Protection in Home Energy Schemes
The Competition and Markets Authority published recommendations on 23 September 2026 calling for tighter rules and clearer consumer redress in UK home energy upgrade schemes.
- Written by
- Net Zero Home Scheme editorial team
- Last updated
- Topic
- policy, regulation, home energy
On 23 September 2026, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its formal response to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) consultation regarding consumer protection in home upgrade schemes. The competition regulator warned that fragmented consumer codes, inconsistent installer accreditation, and unclear redress mechanisms risk undermining household confidence as millions of British residents install solar panels, heat pumps, battery storage, and wall insulation.
In its submission, the regulator urged DESNZ to streamline code administration, tighten oversight of green financial products, and establish clearer mandatory standards for installers across all government-backed and commercial retrofits. While the publication does not alter statutory legislation overnight, it sets a clear direction for upcoming energy legislation and secondary regulatory frameworks across England, Scotland, and Wales.
What the CMA submission covers
The CMA response focuses on four main areas of concern across the domestic green technology market: customer journey transparency, installer accountability, financial mis-selling, and dispute resolution. According to the publication on 23 September 2026 on GOV.UK, the regulator identified that consumers often struggle to navigate overlapping certification marks, such as the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), TrustMark, and consumer code schemes including the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) and the Home Insulation and Energy Systems Contractors Scheme (HIES).
The submission highlights that complex jargon, unreliable energy saving estimates, and aggressive sales tactics remain significant friction points. The CMA argued that without single-point oversight or harmonised standards, householders face unacceptable risks when technology fails to perform as promised or when installation companies cease trading before honouring long-term workmanship guarantees.
What the numbers say
While the CMA response focuses primarily on structural regulatory design, the underlying market context published by DESNZ and referenced in regulator documentation underlines the scale of home energy activity in the UK:
- The CMA submission on 23 September 2026 notes that domestic retrofits are expanding rapidly toward net zero targets, with millions of installations required across solar PV, heat pumps, and wall insulation over the coming decade.
- According to official DESNZ installation statistics cited in recent regulatory reviews, over 220,000 heat pumps and solar systems were installed in Great Britain under government support schemes during 2025 alone.
- In its consumer research findings highlighted in the 23 September 2026 document, the CMA reported that home upgrade complaints often involve miscalculated financial payback periods, with some consumers reporting actual energy savings that were significantly lower than initial contractor estimates.
- Consumer redress data across code bodies shows that resolution times for domestic energy installation disputes currently average several months when multiple certification bodies are involved.
What changes for UK households today and what stays the same
It is essential to distinguish between regulatory recommendations and immediate operational rule changes.
What changes immediately:
- Policymakers and code bodies face increased scrutiny regarding installer compliance, leading to tighter enforcement from existing schemes such as TrustMark and MCS.
- Installers and code administrators are under pressure to eliminate misleading performance calculations and clarify long-term warranty provisions during pre-sale consultations.
What remains unchanged for now:
- Your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 remain fully intact.
- Existing grant mechanisms, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales, continue to operate under their current eligibility rules and accreditation requirements.
- Standard consumer protection bodies, including the Financial Ombudsman Service for financed systems and code administrators such as RECC and HIES, continue to handle disputes under current guidelines until formal legislative changes are enacted by DESNZ.
Current consumer protections versus proposed changes
The table below summarises the existing landscape alongside the specific reform directions urged by the regulator in its 23 September 2026 response.
| Area of Protection | Existing Consumer Framework | CMA Proposed Regulatory Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme Accreditation | Split across MCS, TrustMark, and independent codes | Mandatory, unified installer standards and single registry |
| Performance Estimates | Calculated using varying contractor software models | Standardised methodology for savings and payback projections |
| Dispute Redress | Multiple code ombudsmen (RECC, HIES, Ombudsman Services) | Single, streamlined consumer redress channel |
| Warranty Backing | Patchy insurance-backed guarantees across providers | Regulated, compulsory warranty protection standards |
| Finance Sales | Governed under standard FCA consumer credit rules | Enhanced green loan disclosures and mis-selling controls |
Key steps when planning a home energy upgrade
If you are planning to install clean technology in your home, you do not need to pause your project, but you should apply rigorous checks before signing any contract:
- Verify that your installer holds current MCS certification for microgeneration systems or TrustMark registration for insulation and heat pump retrofits.
- Request written performance calculations based on standard industry metrics, such as Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) for heat pumps or kWp output projections for solar PV arrays.
- Confirm whether the deposit and workmanship guarantee are covered by a recognized insurance-backed guarantee scheme.
- Avoid signing agreements on the spot during cold calls or high-pressure home visits.
- Ensure electrical work complies with BS 7671 standards and that notify-able works receive proper building regulations sign-off.
Frequently asked questions
Does the CMA publication change current grant rules?
No, the CMA response published on 23 September 2026 is an advisory policy submission to DESNZ rather than a direct change to grant funding rules. Existing government grants, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, continue under their existing framework.
How can I check if my installer is properly accredited today?
You can search the public registers of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) for solar and heat pump installers, or TrustMark for broader home energy efficiency and insulation specialists. Valid membership ensures access to formal consumer codes and dispute protection mechanisms.
What should I do if a heat pump or solar installer misleads me about bill savings?
If you believe an installer provided false financial calculations, contact the consumer code administrator listed on your contract, such as RECC or HIES. If the system was financed through a credit agreement, you may also have rights under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
What this means for your home
For individual households, the CMA response signals a welcome move toward clearer quotes, honest savings estimates, and stronger consumer rights. If you are preparing to invest in home energy technology like solar PV, battery storage, or an air source heat pump, you should focus on contractor transparency rather than waiting for future regulatory updates. Ask every installer to explain how their output estimates were calculated and ensure all quotes break down equipment costs, labor, and grid connection fees separately.
Payback periods depend heavily on your household's baseline electricity tariff, heating demand, and system sizing. Tighter future standards will help eliminate rogue quotes, but careful personal due diligence remains your best safeguard today.
What this means for employers
For HR directors, reward managers, and sustainability leads, rising household energy bills and complex home technology choices mean employees are actively seeking trustworthy, vetted options for home decarbonisation. Misleading claims in the wider retail market can make staff hesitant to engage with clean energy options, even when the financial and environmental benefits are clear.
By providing clear benefit pathways, employers can support staff in making informed decisions about home energy upgrades without navigating an unvetted retail marketplace. The Net Zero Home Scheme offers employees member pricing on solar, heat pumps, battery storage, and plug-in solar installed by accredited installers across England, Scotland, and Wales, delivered at zero cost to the employer and involving no salary sacrifice or payroll deductions. As consumer standards continue to tighten, offering vetted installation routes provides valuable peace of mind to workforce members looking to protect their homes against long-term energy cost volatility.