Powering Homes News: page 102
- April 2022
Nesta publishes discovery phase findings on boiler flow temperature and emissions
Nesta has published discovery phase findings on boiler flow temperature, reporting that optimising condensing combi boilers could cut household energy use, costs and emissions by 6 to 8 per cent.
UK Government consulted on clean heating market mandate earlier in 2022
The UK Government consulted earlier in 2022 on a policy to obligate boiler manufacturers to match fossil fuel boiler sales with heat pump installations, Nesta reported on 20 April 2022.
Nesta and BIT publish report assessing the UK Government's boiler manufacturer mandate for heat pumps
Nesta and the Behavioural Insights Team have published a report assessing the UK Government's proposed mandate requiring boiler manufacturers to match fossil fuel boiler sales with heat pump installations.
New Welsh Government estimates show up to 45% of Welsh households in fuel poverty
New official Welsh Government estimates show up to 45% of households in Wales are likely to be in fuel poverty, with 115,000 households in severe fuel poverty, according to National Energy Action.
StatisticsScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment widened and planned for later in 2022
National Energy Action says the Welsh Government will make a further Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment later in 2022, widened to reach more low-income households including pensioners eligible for Pension Credit.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Ofgem publishes decision on ECO4 scoring methodology consultation
Ofgem has confirmed how ECO4 energy efficiency measures will be scored, keeping intermediate SAP bands, four floor area segments and a 10% correction factor in its final decision.
BEIS to publish proposals on rebalancing energy bill costs in 2022
The government's Energy Security Strategy commits to rebalancing costs on energy bills away from electricity, with BEIS to publish proposals in 2022, alongside VAT-free home energy saving measures for five years.
Cross-industry letter calls on Government to expand ECO eligibility
The National Insulation Association has signed a cross-industry letter to HM Treasury, issued by the Sustainable Energy Association, calling for wider eligibility under the Energy Company Obligation.
Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition announced for 2022
The government has announced a Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition worth up to £30 million in 2022 to expand British heat pump manufacturing, as part of its Energy Security Strategy.
SSEN completes £1.7 million Portsmouth infrastructure upgrade
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has completed a £1.7 million upgrade to part of Portsmouth's electricity network, replacing grid transformers and equipment serving thousands of customers.
CCC responds to UK Government's Energy Security Strategy
The Climate Change Committee welcomed the British Energy Security Strategy's offshore wind, nuclear and hydrogen commitments but said the absence of household energy efficiency measures was disappointing.
Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive closes to new applicants
Ofgem has closed the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive to new applicants after eight years, with existing members continuing to receive payments for up to seven years.
Ofgem publishes decision on BUS administration
Ofgem has set out its final administrative position for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, confirming installer account opening on 11 April 2022 and applications from 23 May 2022.
Technical ZEV mandate consultation opened
The Department for Transport opened a technical consultation on 7 April 2022 on how a zero emission vehicle mandate for new cars and vans should be designed, running until 10 June.
British Energy Security Strategy published with accelerated clean energy targets
The government has published the British Energy Security Strategy, setting higher targets for nuclear, offshore wind, solar and hydrogen and confirming a five-year VAT cut on energy saving materials.
Welsh Government sets out £380 million cost-of-living support package for Wales
The Welsh Government has set out a £380 million package of cost-of-living support, including a £200 winter fuel payment, a £150 council tax rebate and extra funds for local authorities.
Chameleon Technology launches IHD replacement service
Chameleon Technology has launched a replacement in-home display service that lets households buy and activate an ivie Bud remotely, without an engineer visiting the home.
£150 Council Tax Energy Rebate for England bands A-D
Households in England in Council Tax bands A to D receive a £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate from April 2022, a payment the government says does not need to be repaid.
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.
BEIS decides not to apply English Boiler Plus standard across Great Britain under ECO4
BEIS has decided not to make the English Boiler Plus standard a specific requirement throughout Great Britain under ECO4, so installations will follow each nation's building regulations instead.
BEIS publishes Warm Home Discount response and NIA submits Welsh Warm Homes Programme response
BEIS confirmed an expanded Warm Home Discount running to at least 2025/26 as the National Insulation Association set out its response to Welsh plans for the next Warm Homes Programme.
British Energy Security Strategy published
The British Energy Security Strategy, published in April 2022, set out extra support for home energy efficiency, including five years without VAT on energy saving materials.
Rules and RegulationGrants and SchemesInsulation and Glazing
Carbon Co-op launches smart meter data access independent of energy suppliers
Carbon Co-op has launched a service that lets householders see their gas and electricity smart meter data without going through their energy supplier, for £12 a year or free with membership.
Chancellor announces £9.1 billion energy bills support package
The Chancellor has announced a £9.1 billion package of support to help more than 28 million households with rising energy bills, alongside a £200 reduction in domestic electricity bills from October 2022.
Civil nuclear deployment ambition raised to up to 24GW by 2050
The government has raised its civil nuclear deployment ambition to up to 24GW by 2050, three times current capacity and up to a quarter of projected electricity demand.
Conservative government launches REMA electricity market review
The Conservative government launched a review of electricity market arrangements in April 2022, with a first consultation that July, examining the rules that set wholesale power prices.
Cost of living payment scheme opens to households
A £150 cost of living payment for households in council tax bands A to D in Wales opens in April 2022 and runs until September, administered by local authorities.
Direct debit increases far above price cap rises reported after April 2022 review
After the April 2022 price cap rise, some households saw direct debit increases far above the cap, prompting an Ofgem review that found flawed supplier processes.
Domestic energy cap rise worsens household energy bills
The Welsh Government extended its Fuel Support Scheme to more than 400,000 low-income households with £90m, citing higher bills worsened by the April domestic energy cap rise.
Electricity standing charges jumped by more than 80% in April 2022
Electricity standing charges under the price cap rose by more than 80% in April 2022, driven mainly by supplier of last resort costs added to network cost allowances.
Energy Bills and the Price CapEnergy SuppliersRules and Regulation