iHelios, a leading innovator in smart infrared heating and advanced energy-efficient home solutions, has welcomed the government’s 2025 Autumn Budget, describing it as a “long-overdue correction” that finally makes clean electric heating more financially competitive for UK households.
The Budget removes a substantial portion of legacy levies from electricity bills — including 75% of the Renewables Obligation (RO) costs — helping reduce average household energy bills and narrowing the historical price gap between electricity and gas. iHelios says this marks a decisive step toward a more electrified future for home heating.
However, the company warns that outdated EPC modelling now risks slowing adoption of low-carbon heating technologies.
Call for Immediate EPC Reform
Despite electricity becoming more cost-competitive, the tools that underpin Energy Performance Certificates — SAP 10 and RdSAP 10 — still rely on historic energy-price assumptions that overstate the cost of running electric heating systems.
“These models no longer reflect today’s energy landscape,” said a spokesperson for iHelios. “The Budget has shifted the economics of heating, but EPCs have not caught up. As a result, modern all-electric homes are still being penalised by outdated assumptions.”
iHelios is urging the government to update electricity price assumptions in SAP 10 and RdSAP 10 immediately, ahead of the wider EPC reform programme.
The company argues that doing so would:
- Improve EPC scores for energy-efficient electric homes
- Remove unnecessary barriers for landlords, developers and retrofit programmes
- Strengthen confidence in low-carbon heating
- Accurately reflect real-world running costs
Sylwester Raczynski, Founder of iHelios, added:
*“The Budget has finally acknowledged what we in the clean-tech industry have known for years — electricity must become the foundation of future heating. By reducing legacy levies on electricity, the government has taken an important step toward fairness and decarbonisation. But unless SAP and RdSAP are updated quickly, households and housing providers won’t feel the benefits where it matters most: their EPC scores and compliance pathways.
Smart electric heating is ready today. What we need now is a regulatory framework that reflects real-world energy costs and supports the technologies that will help Britain hit its climate goals.”*
Smart Heating Recognised in the Home Energy Model
iHelios also welcomes the direction set by the upcoming Home Energy Model, which places greater value on flexible, intelligent and energy-aware heating systems. This framework closely aligns with the principles behind the iHelios system, which offers:
- Zoned infrared heating
- Intelligent heat scheduling
- Peak-avoidance behaviour
- Integration with low-carbon electricity
- Minimal energy waste
According to the company, the Home Energy Model represents a more accurate and modern understanding of how smart heating can reduce both emissions and bills.
A Turning Point for Electrified Heating
With electricity now becoming more affordable and aligned with national decarbonisation goals, iHelios believes the UK has reached a pivotal moment. Smart infrared heating, when paired with insulation, smart control and optional solar or battery integration, offers households and housing providers:
- Lower running costs
- Greater comfort
- Improved EPC pathways
- Reduced environmental impact
- Long-term compliance with future building standards
“The technology is here, the economics are improving, and public sentiment is shifting,” Sylwester concluded. “Now the compliance models must evolve so that households can make cleaner choices with full confidence.”
About iHelios
iHelios is a UK-based technology company specialising in smart infrared heating systems, intelligent home energy control, and high-performance insulation solutions. Designed for modern homes, retrofits and low-carbon housing developments, iHelios delivers efficient, clean and cost-effective heating that complements renewable and flexible energy systems.
