How To news in 2022
13 stories, newest first.
- 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.
Charter debt repayment reduction takes effect for prepayment customers
Electricity and gas suppliers in Northern Ireland have cut the maximum debt repayment deduction for prepayment customers from 40 per cent to 20 per cent, under a voluntary charter running to 31 March 2023.
- November 2022
Low Carbon Hub releases Warmer Winter Checklist for Oxfordshire residents
Low Carbon Hub has published a Warmer Winter Checklist of tips and resources for Oxfordshire households facing higher energy costs, alongside a Crowdfunder aiming to raise £15,000 for fuel poverty support.
- 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.
Scam texts impersonate the Energy Bills Support Scheme as the £400 grant rolls out
Which? has reported scam texts that impersonate the Energy Bills Support Scheme, telling recipients they are eligible for a discounted bill and linking to a fake application site as the £400 grant is paid out.
Warm Home Discount to increase to £150 in October
The Warm Home Discount rises from £140 to £150 in October 2022 and its eligibility expands by almost a third, to reach three million households.
- July 2022
Central Switching Service introduced
The Central Switching Service began operating in July 2022, cutting the time a household needs to change energy supplier to five working days, according to the body that runs the national smart meter network.
- April 2022
Heat pumps become cheaper to run than gas boilers
Analysis published by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds that from April 2022 an electric heat pump will cost less to run than a gas boiler, as gas prices drive the price cap up.
- March 2022
Supplier websites and apps fail under meter reading demand
British Gas, EDF, Eon and Octopus reported website and app problems on 31 March 2022 as households rushed to submit meter readings before the energy price cap rose the next day.
- February 2022
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed by Chancellor
The Chancellor has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will rise to £150 and cover three million households from October, as Ofgem's price cap increase pushes average bills up by more than 54 per cent.
Qualifying week moved from September to early November
The Scottish Government has proposed moving the Winter Heating Payment qualifying week from September to early November so the £50 payment follows sooner after eligibility is assessed.
Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment doubled to £200
The Welsh Government has doubled its Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment from £100 to £200, available to new applicants and paid retrospectively to households that have already received the lower amount.
- January 2022
CIPHE publishes consumer advice on the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2021 to 2022
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering has published consumer advice on the 2021 to 2022 Winter Fuel Payment, setting out who qualifies, how much is paid and a claiming deadline of 31 March 2022.