How To news, page 2
- February 2024
Which? warns of spray foam insulation scams targeting vulnerable people
Which? reports that the Wales Against Scams Partnership has warned of scammers targeting vulnerable people with dodgy and non-existent insulation offers sold through doorstep, phone and online marketing.
- December 2023
Warm Home Discount scheme confirmed to run until at least March 2026
The government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will run until at least March 2026, a further three winters, and more suppliers must now take part in the £150 scheme.
- November 2023
Low Carbon Hub publishes low-cost, no-cost energy saving leaflet
Low Carbon Hub has published a free downloadable leaflet of low-cost and no-cost energy saving measures for households, dated November 2023, covering draught-proofing, insulation, appliance use and heating controls.
- October 2023
Warm Home Discount scheme opens for applications
The Warm Home Discount opened for applications on 16 October 2023 for households in Great Britain that must apply to their supplier or prove eligibility, as National Energy Action warned of repeat missed payments.
Warm Homes Discount Scheme reopens
The Warm Home Discount reopens in October 2023, with eligibility checks available from that month and payments made automatically to eligible households.
- September 2023
Fuel Bank Foundation publishes advice on avoiding and reporting energy scams
The Fuel Bank Foundation has published guidance on spotting, avoiding and reporting energy scams, saying energy-related fraud rose sharply over the previous 12 months as criminals exploited the cost-of-living crisis.
Separate Home Upgrade Grant checker launched
A separate online checker for the Home Upgrade Grant was launched on 14 September 2023, alongside the Great British Insulation Scheme, for off-gas-grid homes rated EPC D to G.
- August 2023
Emergency credit increased from £1 to £3
Power NI raised the emergency credit available on its Keypad prepayment meters in Northern Ireland from £1 to £3 on 1 August 2023, giving households a larger buffer before supply is cut off.
- May 2023
British Gas Energy Trust Individual and Family fund opens for applications
The British Gas Energy Trust reopened its Individual and Family fund on 2 May 2023, offering grants of up to £2,000 to clear energy arrears for households in England, Scotland and Wales.
- March 2023
Government launches online portal for alternative fuel payment
The government has opened an online portal for households that heat with oil to claim the £200 alternative fuel payment, with applications accepted until 31 May 2023.
- 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.