Mind The Spark Gap!

The “spark gap” is the difference between the price of electricity and gas – and it can have a big influence on whether technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicles make financial sense to households.

Right now, that gap is narrowing. Octopus Energy reports that the spark gap has fallen by 7% to its lowest level since the energy price cap began in 2019. One reason is rising international gas prices, while renewable generation is helping reduce electricity's exposure to those increases.

So, what does that mean for homeowners?

Electricity is currently relatively cheaper compared with gas, strengthening the financial case for moving away from fossil-fuel technologies. Octopus says live data from thousands of its Cosy heat pumps shows 99.6% of those customers are paying less to heat their homes than they would with a gas boiler. It also says the average driver on its Intelligent Octopus Go tariff saves more than £850 per year compared with running a similar petrol car. These are Octopus's figures and will not necessarily apply to every household.

The bigger picture is about making better use of renewable electricity. As more homes adopt heat pumps, EVs and other electric technologies, smart meters, batteries and time-of-use tariffs can help shift electricity use away from the busiest periods - potentially reducing costs while easing pressure on the grid.

Octopus argues that the long-term solution isn't simply shifting levies or subsidies around, but making electricity genuinely cheaper at source. Its proposals include reducing wasted wind generation, relying less on gas, using existing grid infrastructure more efficiently and encouraging greater use of home battery storage and flexible tariffs.

The takeaway: as the gap between electricity and gas prices narrows, technologies such as heat pumps, solar, battery storage and EVs become increasingly attractive parts of an electrified home - particularly when they're combined with smart tariffs and smarter energy use. 

And don't forget, Carter Renewables are an official Octopus Trusted Partner, allowing new customers to get a £50 credit if you sign up to an Octopus tariff via our bespoke affiliate link here.

September Product of the Month

Panasonic Floor Console Inverter+

Not everyone wants an air-conditioning unit high up on the wall. Panasonic's floor console sits low down where a radiator would, so it looks familiar in the room and can often go in the same spot.

It's designed with winter in mind. In heating mode it sends warm air out along the floor, and in cooling mode it blows air upwards, so the whole room is comfortable in both seasons. It keeps heating in outdoor temperatures down to -15°C and is A++ rated for both heating and cooling.

It's also very quiet, running as low as 19dB(A) in quiet mode on the smaller models, which makes it a good fit for bedrooms, living rooms and home offices. Panasonic's built-in nanoe™ X system helps clean the air and cut odours, and it can run even when the heating and cooling are off. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you control it from your phone with the Comfort Cloud app, and it works with Google Home and Alexa.

Why we like it: it's a simple swap for anyone who likes the idea of a heat pump but wants something that looks like a radiator rather than an air-con unit. It works especially well under windows, in conservatories and in rooms without much clear wall space.

Warm in winter. Cool in summer. And it sits where your radiator used to.

Contact our registered electricians today on 0118 967 7033 or admin@carterrenewables.co.uk to book your installation or to receive a no-obligation quote.

Have you read our September Blog?

Plug-In Solar Panels Are Now Legal in the UK – But Are They Right for Your Home?

For years, installing solar panels in the UK has generally meant having a professionally designed rooftop system connected into your home’s electrical installation.

But that has just changed.

From 27 August 2026, plug-in solar panels became legal to buy and use across Great Britain, following changes introduced by the UK Government. The technology is designed to make small-scale solar generation cheaper and more accessible, particularly for households that may not be able to install a conventional rooftop solar PV system.

But while the words “plug-in solar” make the technology sound as straightforward as plugging in a television or kettle, there are some important considerations before you rush out and buy one. At Carter Renewables, we’re taking a closer look at what’s changed, how plug-in solar works and whether it could be right for your home.

Ready to step into the world of plug-in solar? Contact our registered electricians today on 0118 967 7033 or admin@carterrenewables.co.uk to book your installation or to receive a no-obligation quote.

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