Industry News & Guides

The latest electrical regulation changes, government announcements and industry guides — relevant to homeowners, landlords and businesses across Kent.

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Heat Pumps
Burleigh Electrical · Service Guide

Heat Pump Electrical Requirements: What Your Home Actually Needs

A heat pump isn't just a boiler swap — dedicated circuits, consumer unit capacity, and when a supply upgrade is actually needed.

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Solar & Green Energy
Via DESNZ / legislation.gov.uk · July 2026

Plug-In Solar Is Officially Legal in the UK from 27 August 2026

A new law lets a fully certified plug-in solar panel connect straight into a normal wall socket — no roof, no scaffolding, no MCS installer required.

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Landlords & Agents
Via National Housing Federation & legislation.gov.uk · May 2026

EICR Now a Legal Requirement for Social Housing Landlords

New regulations that extended mandatory five-yearly electrical inspections to social housing providers came into force in May 2026.

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Safety Regulations
Via IET / BSI · April 2026

BS 7671 Amendment 4 (2026) Is Here — What It Means for Your Home and Business

The biggest update to the UK Wiring Regulations since the 18th Edition — new rules for home battery storage, and stricter EICR inspector qualifications.

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EV Charging
Via Octopus EV / OZEV Chargepoint Grant · April 2026

Home EV Charger Grants Just Went Up 40% — Now £500 Per Socket

The government increased home EV chargepoint grants to £500 per socket and extended the scheme to April 2027 — now open to renters and flat owners too.

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Smart Homes
Via Logic4Training / GreenMatch · 2026

Smart Homes Are Growing Fast — and Qualified Electricians Are in Short Supply

The UK smart home market is valued at over £5.3bn and growing at ~15% annually. Electrical trades are classed as "critical demand".

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Smart Homes
Burleigh Electrical · Service Guide

Smart Switches, WiFi Dimmers & Smart Home Devices Explained

What you can just plug in, what needs a neutral wire at the switch, and when it's actually worth calling an electrician.

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EV Charging
Via Dept. for Transport / OZEV · May 2025

Planning Permission for Home EV Chargers Scrapped in England

The UK government confirmed in May 2025 that most home EV charger installations no longer need planning permission.

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Safety Regulations
Via IET / BS 7671 Amendment 3:2024

Consumer Unit Upgrades: What the 2024/25 Wiring Regulations Changes Mean

BS 7671 Amendment 3 now requires Surge Protection Devices in more installations and tightens RCD requirements on fuse board replacements.

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EICR Guide
Burleigh Electrical · Service Guide

How Much Does an EICR Cost in Kent? What to Expect in 2026

EICR prices vary by property size, age and location. A plain-English breakdown of what affects the cost and what's included.

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Rewiring
Burleigh Electrical · Service Guide

How Long Does a Full House Rewire Take? A Realistic Guide

Timescales, disruption, what's involved day-to-day — and the signs your home might be overdue for a rewire.

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Garden Rooms
Burleigh Electrical · Service Guide

Garden Room Electrics: What You Actually Need and How It Works

Power, lighting, heating, data — what electrical work is required for a garden room or home office, and why you can't just run an extension lead.

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Safety
Burleigh Electrical · Safety Guide

7 Signs Your Consumer Unit Needs Replacing

Tripping breakers, burning smells, no RCDs — the warning signs homeowners miss and what they mean.

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