Powering Homes News: page 100
- June 2022
Energy firms made 187,000 PPM warrant applications in six months
Freedom of information requests showed energy firms applied for 187,000 warrants to force households onto prepayment meters in the first six months of 2022, part of 500,000 since lockdown ended.
EO reveals latest generation of home and commercial chargers
EO Charging has supplied its EO Mini Pro 3 home charger to Viridian Solar under a distribution deal aimed at housebuilders meeting Building Regulations that require solar and EV charging on new homes.
Government announces end of £1,500 electric car grant
The Government has ended the £1,500 grant for new electric car purchases, removing purchase support at a time when electric households are reported to save £1,180 a year on running costs.
Government introduces four-year smart meter regulatory framework
The government introduced a four-year regulatory framework with binding targets for suppliers in 2022, as the National Audit Office reports the rollout remains years behind its original completion date.
Green Open Homes Week held in Oxford
More than 150 visitors toured 38 Oxford homes during Green Open Homes Week in June 2022, part of an Energy Saving Homes project run by nine community groups with Low Carbon Hub funding.
Guidance updated for Part L 2021 and Part O 2021
The Greater London Authority has updated its energy assessment guidance for planning applications, setting out how London Plan carbon targets apply now that Part L 2021 and Part O 2021 are in force.
Interim Part F and Part L building regulation changes take effect
Interim changes to Parts F and L of the building regulations have applied since June 2022, requiring new homes in England to produce 31 per cent less carbon dioxide than previous standards.
Northern Ireland introduced Phase 1 interim uplift
Northern Ireland's Department of Finance has confirmed that Phase 1 of its building regulations review delivered an interim uplift to energy efficiency standards from June 2022, ahead of further planned phases.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandInsulation and Glazing
Ofgem confirms CfD allowance methodology from cap period nine onwards
Ofgem has confirmed how the Contracts for Difference allowance inside the default tariff cap will be calculated from cap period nine, removing the £0/MWh floor that stopped negative scheme costs reaching household bills.
Part L compliance date for heating controls takes effect in England
BEAMA guidance confirms that Part L of the Building Regulations applies to heating controls installed with gas or oil boilers in England from June 2022, with Wales following in November 2022.
Part S of the Buildings Regulations comes into force
Statutory guidance requiring at-home electric vehicle charging provision in all new residential buildings in England came into force in June 2022, with further security rules following that December.
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.
SSEN commits funding to strengthen network and community resilience after Storm Arwen
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has applied to Ofgem for £10m of dedicated funding for five projects intended to improve its storm response, after earlier resilience spending committed in summer 2022.
Thermino 180 and Thermino 250 models planned for first half of 2022
Sunamp said two additional sizes in its fourth generation Thermino heat battery range, the 180 and 250, would be introduced in the first half of 2022, following the range's launch in November 2021.
Updated ventilation standards enacted
Ventilation standards introduced on 15 June 2022 place explicit responsibility on contractors, sub-contractors and installers to ensure work complies with Part F of the Building Regulations.
- May 2022
Ofgem announces administration of Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Ofgem has taken over administration of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which opened to applications on 23 May 2022 and offers grants towards heat pumps and biomass boilers in England and Wales.
Chancellor outlines financial support following Commons BEIS Committee appearance
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to Ofgem's chief executive asking for five urgent energy market reforms, citing the Chancellor's 26 May 2022 support announcement that followed his Commons committee appearance.
EBSS doubled to £400 and made non-repayable
The Chancellor doubled the Energy Bills Support Scheme to £400 on 26 May 2022 and made it a non-repayable grant, replacing the original £200 discount that households would have repaid.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapYour Type of Home
Government announced £400 grant for domestic electricity customers
The government confirmed on 26 May 2022 that domestic electricity customers would receive £400 of support with their energy bills, paid as a grant rather than a repayable reduction.
Government announces cost of living package funded partly by windfall tax
The Chancellor announced a £15bn package of support for households on 26 May 2022, including a £400 energy grant, a £650 payment for means tested benefit claimants and a 25% levy on oil and gas profits.
Rules and RegulationGrants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Government announces energy bills support measures in House of Commons
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition has written to the Chancellor listing ten unanswered questions about the energy bills support announced in the House of Commons on 26 May 2022, warning it will not fix fuel poverty.
Rules and RegulationYour Type of HomeEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Government announces financial support to help with cost of living crisis
The government has announced a £400 grant for all households towards energy bills and a targeted £650 payment for those on the lowest incomes, drawing a response from consumer body Which?.
Household Support Fund extended to 31 March 2023
The government has extended the Household Support Fund to 31 March 2023 with an additional £500 million, bringing total funding announced since October 2021 to £3 billion including Barnett impact.
Ofgem chief tells MPs October price cap likely to rise to about £2,800
Ofgem's chief executive told MPs the household energy price cap is likely to rise to about £2,800 in October, an increase of roughly £800 on the level then in force.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
Outcome documents published for Part L review
The Welsh Government has published the summary of responses and final impact assessment from its review of Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations, two years after the consultation closed.
SSEN completes £4.6 million Dorset network upgrade
SSEN has completed a £4.6 million upgrade to a 32 kilometre electricity circuit serving Poole and Shaftesbury in Dorset, which it says strengthens supplies to around 160,000 homes and businesses.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme opens for grant applications
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme opened for grant applications on 23 May 2022, offering £5,000 or £6,000 towards heat pumps and, in limited cases, biomass boilers in England and Wales.
Heat Pump Association welcomes launch of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Heat Pump Association has welcomed the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which opened with grants of £5,000 for air source and £6,000 for ground source heat pumps in England and Wales.
Tesla opens 15 UK Supercharger sites to non-Tesla EVs in Europe-wide pilot
Tesla has opened 15 of its 98 UK Supercharger sites to drivers of other electric vehicle brands as part of a Europe-wide pilot, with non-Tesla drivers paying higher rates unless they subscribe.
SSEN launches LCT Connections tool in industry first
SSEN Distribution has launched an online tool that gives automatic quotes for connecting low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, the first DNO to offer spreadsheet uploads.