Where to Start News: page 3
- July 2023
Energy Saving Trust publishes its Guide to solar panels
Energy Saving Trust has published a guide to solar panels covering how the technology works, typical costs and savings, and how to find an MCS certified installer.
- June 2023
Scottish Government withdraws standalone solar PV and storage eligibility from Home Energy Scotland loans
The Scottish Government has stopped Home Energy Scotland loans for standalone solar panels and energy storage, with applications now accepted only when bundled with a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters.
Committee on Fuel Poverty publishes annual report and NEA responds
National Energy Action has responded to the Committee on Fuel Poverty's annual report, warning that the least efficient homes face heating bills of around £4,000 to £5,000 a year and that England's efficiency targets are decades behind schedule.
NEA responds to cross-party MP report on energy bill support
National Energy Action has responded to a cross-party committee report on government energy bill support, calling for unspent resources to be reinvested in targeted help for low-income households.
- March 2023
Fuel poverty forecast to rise to 7.5 million UK households
National Energy Action forecasts 7.5 million UK households will be in fuel poverty, up from 6.7 million, after the Energy Bill Support Scheme ended and the Energy Price Guarantee was extended.
- February 2023
Government releases Fuel Poverty Statistics for England showing 3.26 million households in fuel poverty
Official figures show 3.26 million English households in fuel poverty, with National Energy Action estimating the 2030 efficiency target is now 300 years away on current progress.
Fuel poverty charity calls for ban on forced prepayment meter installations
National Energy Action has called for a temporary ban on forced prepayment meter installations after reports that suppliers used warrants to enter customers' homes and fit the devices.
- January 2023
Fuel Poverty Monitor 2021-22 published by NEA and Energy Action Scotland
National Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland have published the UK Fuel Poverty Monitor 2021-22, recommending a mandatory social tariff from April 2024, backed by 95 charities and non-profit organisations.
Cashback scheme to be replaced by grant scheme in 2022/23
The Scottish Government has confirmed that the Home Energy Scotland loan and cashback arrangements will be replaced in 2022/23 by a grant scheme for energy efficiency and zero emissions heat improvements.
Leicester Energy Action project begins supporting vulnerable households
National Energy Action's Leicester Energy Action project has been supporting vulnerable people across the city since January 2023, funded by NHS Integrated Care and run with Leicester City Council's public health team.
- December 2022
CAT publishes home energy saving tips guide
The Centre for Alternative Technology has published a free guide setting out lower-cost ways for households to cut carbon emissions and energy bills, covering heating, hot water and electricity use.
ECIU analysis finds rooftop solar payback just over six years and grid-scale solar cheaper than gas
ECIU analysis published on 13 December 2022 finds rooftop solar paying back in just over six years and grid-scale solar plus battery already cheaper than gas power.
Enhanced Home Energy Scotland support launched
From 2 December 2022 homeowners in Scotland can claim a standalone Home Energy Scotland grant of £7,500 for heat pumps or energy efficiency work, with an extra £1,500 for rural homes.
NEA projects 8.4 million UK households in fuel poverty from April 2023
National Energy Action projects 8.4 million UK households will be in fuel poverty from April 2023, up from 4.5 million, as the Energy Bills Support Scheme ends and the price guarantee rises.
Yorkshire Building Society energy advice tool launched
Yorkshire Building Society launched an energy saving tool built by Energy Saving Trust in December 2022, giving customers a personalised action plan for their homes.
- November 2022
Scottish Government responds to Recommendation 12 on fabric energy efficiency support
The Scottish Government has confirmed a £15,000 maximum for energy efficiency measures under the Home Energy Scotland Loan and Cashback scheme and committed to replacing cashback with a standalone grant.
- October 2022
Which? publishes 11 tips for cutting heating bills this winter
Which? has published eleven measures for cutting heating bills in winter 2022, covering boiler settings, cylinder and pipe insulation, heating controls, draught-proofing and professional loft insulation.
CREDS publishes Green uplift report on fuel and transport poverty
CREDS and Green Alliance have published a report recommending sales mandates for heat pumps and zero emissions vehicles, EPC band C by 2028 and cheaper electricity to cut fuel and transport poverty.
Heating control savings estimates updated to Energy Price Guarantee gas prices
BEAMA has updated its estimates of fuel bill savings from heating control upgrades to reflect the gas prices set by the Energy Price Guarantee from 1 October 2022.
- August 2022
Poorly insulated homes to pay £1,000 more on gas bills this winter
ECIU analysis published on 10 August 2022 finds homes rated EPC band F face a gas bill £968 higher than band C homes this winter, as the price cap is forecast to reach £3,958.
- July 2022
Online energy efficiency service launched as part of Help to Heat
The government has launched an online service to help homeowners make informed choices on the energy efficiency of their homes, announced alongside final details of the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme.
NEA publishes Impact Report for April 2021 to March 2022
National Energy Action has published an impact report for April 2021 to March 2022, saying more than 6.5 million UK households were in fuel poverty after the 1 April price cap rise.
NEA publishes report calling for a new social tariff in the energy market
National Energy Action has published a report arguing that the government must create a social tariff, a discounted energy deal for low income households, to cut bills during the cost of living crisis.
Government launches GOV.UK digital energy advice service
The government launched a digital service on GOV.UK in summer 2022 to help householders find ways to save energy in their homes, according to a later review of retrofit barriers.
- June 2022
Scottish Retrofit Standards Working Group to be set up by Summer 2022
The Scottish Government's May 2022 quality assurance policy statement commits to a Scottish Retrofit Standards Working Group by summer 2022 to oversee PAS 2035/30 standards in Scotland.
- April 2022
Over 6.3 million homes to be in fuel poverty from 1 April 2022
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition estimates more than 6.3 million homes will be in fuel poverty from 1 April 2022, with 2.2 million of them households containing dependent children.
- January 2022
NEA NI urges release of funding for broader fuel poverty support package
National Energy Action Northern Ireland has written to the Minister calling for funding to be released for a broader package of support, saying the £2M Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme falls short.