Ofgem’s price cap will hit £1,736 in October, 10% higher than last winter. Yet a Reform UK government, as outlined by The Eco Experts, proposes to scrap the 2050 net-zero target and repeal the Heat and Buildings Strategy. That would freeze the very policies driving down household energy costs over the long term.
As reported by The Eco Experts, Reform UK’s energy policy would halt new wind and solar projects, end the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and remove minimum energy efficiency standards for private rentals. For the 15 million homes with an EPC rating of D or below, that means no grant for a heat pump, no subsidy for loft insulation, and no legal requirement for landlords to fix draughty windows.
What a net-zero rollback costs a typical home
The catch is that gas prices are structurally higher than renewable electricity. Carbon Brief’s analysis shows that a 3-bed semi on a gas boiler pays roughly £1,200 a year for heating; a heat pump in a well-insulated home costs £800–£900. Reform UK’s plan would block that switch. The Energy Systems Catapult estimates that delaying heat pump deployment by five years adds £200–£400 to the average household bill by 2030, because the grid would still rely on expensive gas plants.
But the policy also hits network charges. Ofgem’s latest forward-looking report warns that delaying grid reinforcement, needed for heat pumps and EVs, pushes standing charges up by £50–£80 per year. A Reform UK government would cancel the smart meter rollout, too, meaning households lose access to time-of-use tariffs that can cut bills by 15%.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
Currently, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 off a heat pump. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. Reform UK would axe both. The party’s manifesto calls for a “low-energy” approach, essentially leaving the market to sort itself. That helps nobody on a standard variable tariff.
Yet the party’s own costings, as reported by The Eco Experts, assume energy bills would fall because of deregulation. What this misses is that gas prices are set globally, not by UK planning rules. The Office for Budget Responsibility’s 2024 fiscal risk report states that net-zero policies reduce household energy costs by 6–8% by 2035. Abandoning them locks in higher bills.
What homeowners should do now
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is open until at least 2028 under current law, but a Reform UK government could close it early. Households considering a heat pump should apply before the next general election, likely 2028 or sooner if a confidence vote triggers one. The same applies to cavity-wall insulation grants under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4), which runs until March 2026.
For landlords: the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) requiring EPC C by 2028 would be repealed. That removes a compliance deadline but also removes the grant funding that makes upgrades affordable. Act now while the £10,000 landlord grant through ECO4 is still available.
Households on standard variable tariffs can check eligibility for current schemes at gov.uk. Applications for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme close once allocated funds run out each year, typically by January. The window is narrow. Use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers £7,500 off a heat pump, reducing the typical installation cost to around £2,500–£4,500 for a 3-bed semi. Without this grant, which Reform UK proposes to axe, you'd pay the full £10,000–£12,000, making the switch far less affordable.
Yes, likely by £200–£400 per year by 2030, according to the Energy Systems Catapult. Delaying heat pump deployment and renewable projects keeps the grid reliant on expensive gas, while Ofgem warns that pausing grid reinforcement could add £50–£80 annually to standing charges.
Reform UK plans to scrap both, so homeowners should apply before the next election to lock in funding.
Currently, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards require EPC C for private rentals by 2028, but Reform UK would repeal this. However, the £10,000 landlord grant for upgrades is available now, acting before the policy change avoids losing both the compliance deadline and the funding.
A gas boiler in a 3-bed semi costs roughly £1,200 per year for heating, while a heat pump in a well-insulated home runs £800–£900 annually. Carbon Brief's analysis shows heat pumps save £300–£400 yearly, but Reform UK's policy would block this switch by ending subsidies and halting renewable projects.
