Electricpoint | What's the Point?

As solar panels and home battery storage become more common across the UK, one upgrade is often overlooked: the consumer unit.

Whether you’re adding solar PV, battery storage or installing both under schemes like the Warm Homes Plan, the existing board needs to be assessed for capacity, compliance and future expansion. In many cases, a full upgrade is the safest and most professional solution.

This guide explains what to look for — and which consumer units are best suited to solar and battery installations.

Why Solar & Battery

As more UK homes undergo energy-efficiency upgrades under programmes like the Warm Homes Plan, homeowners and landlords are increasingly asking the same question:

Should we install a heat pump, or switch to electric heating?

Both technologies support the move away from fossil fuels, but they suit different property types, budgets and installation scenarios. Understanding when each option makes sense helps installers, landlords and homeowners choose the most practical and cost-effective solution.

What’s the Difference Between Electric Heating and Heat Pumps?

Electric Heating

With energy prices still a major concern, many households are being encouraged to use electricity at cheaper times of day. This is where flexible tariffs and smart controls come in. Real-world examples include the British Gas Dimplex Quantum Tariff, which optimises charging for Dimplex Quantum storage heaters during the lowest-cost periods (typically a reduced rate from 12:30am to 7:30am), and Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus Go, which smart-charges

As more UK homes are upgraded under schemes like the Warm Homes Plan, battery storage is becoming an increasingly common addition to domestic electrical work. While solar panels and EV chargers often get the attention, battery storage is what allows households to use energy more efficiently, reduce peak costs and future-proof their homes.

For electricians working on home upgrades and electrification projects, knowing when to recommend battery storage — and what to consider electrically — is becoming essential.

The UK government’s Warm Homes Plan is a long-term programme designed to make homes warmer, cheaper to run and better suited to a low-carbon future. It focuses on upgrading existing homes rather than building new ones, with the aim of cutting energy bills, reducing fuel poverty and improving comfort.

This guide explains the Warm Homes Plan in simple terms — what it is, why it matters, and what changes households are likely to see.

What is the Warm Homes Plan?

The Warm Homes Plan is a national programme to improve how UK homes use energy. It combines funding,