Powering Homes news, page 101
- July 2022
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.
Mitchell & Webber calls for government backing of HVO as oil heating alternative
Cornish oil supplier Mitchell & Webber has converted more than 50 oil-fired appliances to hydro-treated vegetable oil since 2020 and is calling for government backing of a national HVO demonstration.
Boilers and HeatingNew TechnologyWhere Our Energy Comes From
Ofgem announces urgent review of direct debit increases
Ofgem has announced an urgent review into energy direct debits rising faster than the price cap, finding flawed processes and weaknesses in how suppliers set customer payments.
Protected development eligibility period ended
The protected development provision, which kept certain proposals eligible for permitted development rights for a further year, reached its end date of July 2022.
Scottish Government publishes New Build Heat Standard Consultation: Part II
The Scottish Government has opened a second consultation on its New Build Heat Standard, proposing to ban direct emissions heating systems in new buildings applying for a building warrant from 1 April 2024.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandBoilers and Heating
SSEN and Icebreaker One announce partnership to deliver net zero through better data
SSEN Distribution and the not-for-profit Icebreaker One have begun a partnership to build data-sharing systems intended to support the net zero transition and the rollout of electric vehicle charge points.
Sustainable Warmth Competition programme launches in Elmdon and Foleshill
Two retrofit schemes have launched in the West Midlands, including a £2.86m Sustainable Warmth Competition programme in Elmdon, Solihull, and Foleshill, Coventry, alongside £7.5m for social housing.
Worcester Bosch publishes new build heating and hot water brochure
Worcester Bosch has published a July 2022 new build brochure setting out its Greenstar gas boilers, controls, cylinders and air to water heat pumps for housebuilders and specifiers.
- June 2022
Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 come into force for general requirements
New smart charging rules for electric vehicle charge points sold in Great Britain took effect on 30 June 2022, with separate security requirements deferred to 30 December 2022.
Grant UK adds NeoAir V2-M wireless thermostat to Uflex controls range
Grant UK has added the NeoAir V2-M, a battery powered wireless programmable room thermostat, to its Uflex underfloor heating controls range, joining the NeoStat V2 and Edge controls.
Technical Booklet F1 June 2022 edition came into effect
The June 2022 edition of Technical Booklet F1, the guidance on conserving fuel and power in dwellings in Northern Ireland, took effect on 30 June 2022 and replaced the 2012 version.
CCC annual progress report criticises energy efficiency programmes
The Climate Change Committee's annual progress report, published on 29 June 2022, said sharply rising fuel costs should have accelerated home energy efficiency work, but the necessary programmes are not in place.
CCC publishes 2022 Progress Report finding current programmes will not deliver Net Zero
The Climate Change Committee's 2022 Progress Report finds credible plans for only part of the emissions reductions needed, with home energy efficiency singled out as a major delivery gap.
Ofgem publishes RIIO-ED2 Draft Determination for SSEN Distribution
Ofgem has published its Draft Determination on SSEN Distribution's RIIO-ED2 business plan, proposing an 18% increase on its RIIO-ED1 allowances, with a Final Determination due later in 2022.
BBC Regional News broadcasts Cornwall HVO heating trial
A BBC regional news broadcast on 28 June 2022 covered Mitchell & Webber's conversion of oil-fired heating systems in Cornwall to hydro-treated vegetable oil, with the company calling for government backing.
EO Charging unveils EO Genius 2 and EO Mini Pro 3 chargers
EO Charging has announced two smart chargers, the commercial EO Genius 2 and the home EO Mini Pro 3, both built to meet UK smart charging rules that take effect on 30th June 2022.
Government confirms extension and expansion of Warm Home Discount scheme in Scotland to 2026
The UK government has confirmed it will extend and expand the Warm Home Discount in Scotland to March 2026, raising the rebate to £150 and lowering supplier participation thresholds.
Ofgem decides CfD cap allowance will be updated quarterly
Ofgem has decided that the Contracts for Difference allowance within the default tariff cap will be updated quarterly, keeping the calculation method unchanged.
Ofgem decides to remove £0/MWh floor from CfD allowance in default tariff cap
Ofgem has decided to remove the £0/MWh floor from the Contract for Difference allowance in the default tariff cap, replacing the published Interim Levy Rate with an expected levy payment from 1 October 2022.
Citizens Advice responds to BEIS consultation on changes to the Energy Bills Support Scheme
Citizens Advice has backed the government's decision to raise the Energy Bills Support Scheme payment to £400 and make it a grant, while warning that prepayment meter customers and those in arrears could miss out.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapEnergy Suppliers
NAO publishes report on the energy supplier market
The National Audit Office has published a report on the energy supplier market, finding that Ofgem allowed suppliers with weak finances to enter and that consumers bore the cost of 29 failures.
Citizens Advice launches Energy Price Support Review with SMF and Public First
Citizens Advice has announced an Energy Price Support Review with the Social Market Foundation and Public First, to report in Spring 2023 on long-term help for households struggling most with energy bills.
SSEN completes Automated Power Restoration System project in Oxfordshire
SSEN has completed a nine month project costing nearly £176,000 to install automated technology that can restore power to more than 150,000 Oxfordshire customers in under three minutes.
Approved Document F ventilation rules come into force
Building regulations known as Approved Document F took effect on 15 June 2022, requiring extra background ventilation in habitable rooms when more than 30% of a property's windows are replaced.
Approved Document L restructured into two volumes
From 15 June 2022 Approved Document L is restructured into two volumes covering dwellings and other buildings, replacing the four parts L1A, L1B, L2A and L2B in England.
Approved Document S takes effect
Approved Document S, the technical guidance on electric vehicle charge point infrastructure in the Building Regulations, takes effect in England on 15 June 2022.
New Building Regulations parts F, L and O come into force
Revisions to Parts F and L and the new Part O of the Building Regulations took effect on 15 June 2022, cutting carbon emissions in new homes and non-domestic buildings and adding ventilation and overheating rules.
Building Regulations require thermostatic room controls when a boiler is replaced in England
New building regulations in England from 15 June 2022 require thermostatic room controls, including TRVs, to be added to heating systems when a boiler is replaced.
Changes to Approved Documents F and L take effect and new Approved Documents O and S introduced
Changes to Approved Documents F and L took effect on 15 June 2022, alongside two new documents covering overheating in homes and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Nesta and BIT publish UK-wide heat pump demand trial results
A UK-wide trial of 8,016 homeowners by Nesta and the Behavioural Insights Team found interest-free loans and lower running costs each raise stated heat pump choice, and together lift it to 36%.