Powering Homes News: page 106
- February 2022
Investec Bank Ltd estimates October 2022 price cap could exceed £3,000 per household
Investec Bank Ltd estimated on 24 February 2022 that the October price cap could rise another 50% to more than £3,000 per household, prompting charity warnings on fuel poverty.
Russia launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 pushed oil above $100 a barrel and raised European gas prices by 50%, setting off the sharpest period of UK household energy bill rises in decades.
US and allies impose severe sanctions on Russia
The US and its allies announced severe sanctions on Russia's largest financial institutions and technology exports after the invasion of Ukraine, with energy markets and household bills in focus.
Rinnai announces H3 range of hydrogen blend ready, hybrid and heat pump products
Rinnai UK has announced an H3 product range covering commercial heat pumps, hydrogen blend ready and hybrid hot water systems, to be introduced in stages during 2022.
SolarEdge launches S-Series Power Optimizers with Sense Connect arc prevention
SolarEdge has released S-Series Power Optimizers with patented Sense Connect technology that detects abnormal connector temperatures and shuts down the inverter before electric arcs can form.
Government announced further £67 million for Home Upgrade Grant phase one
The government announced a further £67 million on 21 February 2022, offered to successful local authorities to supplement funding under Home Upgrade Grant phase one.
Statutory instrument closed the DRHI to new applications
Regulations laid in February 2022 closed the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive to new applications and new metering package applications from midnight on 31 March 2022, ending a scheme that had paid support since 2014.
Whoop Energy and Xcel Energy cease trading
Whoop Energy and Xcel Energy ceased trading on 18 February 2022, and Ofgem appointed Yu Energy to take on their customers, the Energy Ombudsman has confirmed.
Red Met Office warning issued for Storm Eunice as energy networks prepare
The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for parts of south west England and south Wales as energy network operators moved staff and equipment into position ahead of Storm Eunice.
BEAMA publishes white paper on ventilation and indoor air quality
BEAMA has published a white paper calling on the Government to raise ventilation standards in newbuild homes, pair energy efficiency retrofits with ventilation measures and treat poor indoor air quality as a public health emergency.
SMMT publishes seven-point plan for EV charging infrastructure
The UK automotive trade body has published a seven-point plan calling for binding chargepoint targets and a new independent regulator, Ofcharge, to oversee public charging across Britain.
£90m announced for a further fuel support scheme
The Welsh Government announced £90m on 15 February 2022 for a second fuel support scheme, paying £200 to eligible households after the first winter scheme was doubled from £100.
Sunsynk announces the Contour inverter system
Sunsynk has published a news item introducing the Sunsynk Contour, described as a trolley-like inverter system with built-in lithium batteries, dated 15 February 2022.
Welsh Government announces more than £330m cost-of-living support package
The Welsh Government has announced a cost-of-living support package worth more than £330m, including a £150 payment to households in council tax bands A to D and an extra £200 for low income households next winter.
CO-Gas Safety reports Project SHOUT survey finding rise in dangerous gas appliances
CO-Gas Safety has published a Project SHOUT survey of 335 heating engineers that reports frequent sightings of poorly maintained, badly fitted and dangerous gas appliances in UK homes.
Hero Renewables removed from MCS scheme entirely
MCS has removed Hero Renewables Limited from its certification scheme after an investigation into complaints found significant failings, meaning the company is no longer MCS certified.
Indra highlights smart EV charging range and V1G launch
Indra has set out the features of its Smart PRO home charger and launched Smart Pioneer, a V1G product it says can cut charging costs by up to £200 a year.
Scotland announces £150 council tax rebates for 1.85m households
Scotland's finance secretary Kate Forbes announced on 10 February 2022 that 1.85 million Scottish households, 73% of the total, would receive a £150 council tax rebate in April 2022.
Price cap increase announced to apply from April
Energy UK has noted the announcement of an increase in the energy price cap that will apply from April, published alongside a parliamentary inquiry into decarbonising heat in UK homes.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Ecodan Hydrodan water-to-water heat pump for ambient loops
Mitsubishi Electric has added the Ecodan Hydrodan, a water-to-water heat pump designed for Fifth Generation ambient loops, to its heat pump range in an announcement dated 7 February 2022.
MPs call for road pricing to replace fuel duty
The Commons transport select committee has told MPs that road pricing is the only workable replacement for fuel duty, warning of a £35bn shortfall as drivers switch to electric vehicles.
Ofgem decides to include Green Gas Levy allowance in default tariff cap from cap period eight
Ofgem has decided to add a Green Gas Levy allowance of about £2.69 per gas meter to the default tariff cap from April 2022, recovering scheme costs dating back to October 2021.
Ofgem decides to proceed with licence modification enabling in-period adjustments to the default tariff cap
Ofgem has confirmed it will change supply licences so it can recalculate the default tariff cap inside a cap period, under five tests, in exceptional circumstances.
Ofgem publishes policy consultation on medium term price cap changes
Ofgem has published a policy consultation on medium term changes to the energy price cap, proposing quarterly updates, a reduced notice period and a backwardation mechanism.
BEIS Committee publishes report on decarbonising heat in homes
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has published a report finding the Government is not on track to decarbonise residential heating and calling for a heat road map, sector deal and public awareness campaign.
Chancellor announced support package including EBSS
The Chancellor announced a support package including the Energy Bills Support Scheme on 3 February 2022, giving households a £200 reduction on electricity bills from October 2022, later raised to £400.
Chancellor announces Energy Bills Rebate support package
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced an Energy Bills Rebate on 3 February 2022, comprising a £200 energy bills discount and a £150 council tax rebate, after Ofgem confirmed a 54% rise in the price cap.
Energy bills support package announced
The government announced a £150 council tax rebate for households in England in bands A to D and a £144 million discretionary fund on 3 February 2022, as part of support for rising energy costs.
Energy price cap increase announced
Turn2us has responded to the announcement of a higher energy price cap, warning that millions of households face uncertainty over their finances and calling for more targeted government support.
Energy price cap increase announced
Nesta has responded to the announcement of an increase to the energy price cap, calling the UK's energy price crisis a global gas crisis and pointing to home heating as the source of the solution.