Powering Homes news, page 39
- February 2025
PCA and HOA call on government to review spray foam in schemes
The Property Care Association and Home Owners Alliance have asked the government to review whether spray foam insulation should stay within government insulation schemes, citing continuing problems for homeowners.
- January 2025
DESNZ announced a further £25 million, increasing the BUS Year 3 budget from £150 million to £205 million
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero added £25 million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme's third-year budget on 30 January 2025, taking it to £205 million, with permission to over-allocate vouchers to £280 million.
West Midlands Mayor launches £167 million energy efficiency fund
The West Midlands Combined Authority has announced a £167 million energy efficiency fund to upgrade up to 14,000 low-income homes and spend £36 million on public buildings.
Lords debate on ECO4 and insulation schemes
Peers pressed the government on 29 January over suspended installers, who pays for repairs if firms fail, and how 65,000 households will be told about faulty solid wall insulation.
tado° launches heating curve optimisation feature
tado° has launched a heating curve optimisation function that lets owners of its Heat Pump Optimizer X set their heat pump's heating curve from the tado° app.
Enphase introduces the IQ EV Charger 2 smart charger
Enphase has announced the IQ EV Charger 2, a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart charger that works with its home energy system and carries a five-year warranty.
Nest publishes 2023-24 annual report
Nest has published its 2023-24 annual report, showing 4,816 Welsh households received home energy improvement packages and 12,809 received free energy saving advice.
SSEN sets out Storm Éowyn compensation for customers off supply
SSEN has confirmed automatic compensation of £85 for Storm Éowyn outages lasting more than 48 hours, plus £40 for every additional six hours, and its own food and accommodation payments.
Enphase Energy System integrates into Octopus Energy smart tariffs in the United Kingdom
Enphase Energy has integrated its Energy System with Octopus Energy's smart tariffs in the United Kingdom, including Intelligent Octopus Flux, following a strategic relationship announced last year.
Rinnai to introduce updated E-Series with 17CE water heater in early 2025
Rinnai has announced an updated E-Series range for the UK, beginning with the 17CE Condensing External Water Heater, a gas-fired continuous flow unit due early in 2025.
Welsh Government sets out fuel poverty measures in written statement
Jane Hutt's 27 January written statement sets out Welsh Government fuel poverty spending on benefit take-up, crisis funds, fuel vouchers and the Warm Homes Nest scheme, and renews calls for standing charge reform.
Grants and SchemesRules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
SSEN reconnects almost 70,000 customers after Storm Éowyn with restoration continuing
SSEN restored power to 92,000 customers in northern Scotland after Storm Éowyn, with the final homes reconnected on the evening of 29 January 2025.
DESNZ issues statement about potential issues with ECO and GBIS installations
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has issued a statement on potential problems with Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation Scheme installations, Ofgem has confirmed.
Rules and RegulationGrants and SchemesInsulation and Glazing
Emergency Response Plan activated for Storm Éowyn
NIE Networks activated its Emergency Response Plan from 23 January 2025 for Storm Éowyn, suspending normal work and directing resources to incident centres until power was restored.
Government announces action against unreliable installers
Which? has welcomed joint government and Ofgem action to secure repairs for households affected by poor insulation work and urged ministers to set a date for mandatory installer certification.
UK Government announces action on poor quality solid wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS
The UK Government has announced action over poor quality solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS, including suspending installers, with affected households to be contacted by Ofgem.
Government announces letters to solid wall insulation householders under ECO4 and GBIS
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP has told the House of Commons that letters will go to householders whose homes had solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 or the Great British Insulation Scheme, with Ofgem running the mailout.
Grants and SchemesInsulation and GlazingRules and Regulation
Government Statement announces Ofgem oversight and remediation plan for ECO4 and GBIS solid wall insulation
The Government has told Ofgem to oversee quality checks on all 65,000 solid wall insulation installations under ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, after audits found widespread poor work.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingGrants and Schemes
Government suspends 39 businesses from installing new solid wall insulation
The government has suspended 39 businesses from installing new solid wall insulation after TrustMark checks found substandard work under ECO4 and GBIS, and has told Ofgem to oversee repairs.
Insulation and GlazingGrants and SchemesRules and Regulation
Publication of EPC reform consultation analysis
The Scottish Government has published independent analysis of its 2023 consultation on Energy Performance Certificate reform, showing broad organisational support but weaker backing from individuals for several proposals.
Ryse Energy G-11 wind turbine achieves MCS certification
The Ryse Energy G-11 has become the first wind turbine to gain MCS certification in more than four years, and the only certified wind product currently on the scheme.
Scottish Government publishes analysis of EPC reform consultation
The Scottish Government has published independent analysis of its consultation on reforming domestic Energy Performance Certificate metrics, showing split views on the proposed ratings and majority opposition to including hot water heat demand in the fabric rating.
Air-to-air heat pumps become eligible for government grants
Nesta reports that air-to-air heat pumps are now eligible for government grants, with typical installation costs from £2,400 in a one bedroom flat to £8,800 in a four bedroom house.
Nesta publishes data-driven FAQ on heat pump grant eligibility
Nesta has published a data-driven FAQ setting out the heat pump grants and loans available across the UK as of January 2025, including £7,500 grants in England, Wales and Scotland.
Scottish Government confirms intention to lay revised EPC regulations in 2025
The Scottish Government has confirmed it intends to lay revised Energy Performance Certificate regulations during 2025, to come into force in 2026 using the Home Energy Model.
Scottish Government decides to reduce EPC validity period to five years
The Scottish Government has confirmed it will cut the validity period of Energy Performance Certificates from 10 years to five, alongside a move to digital webpages and wider data sharing.
Scottish Government proposes reforms to Energy Performance Certificates
The Scottish Government has set out final plans to reform Energy Performance Certificates, including new ratings, a redesigned certificate, five-year validity and the Home Energy Model.
SSEN moves to Weather Warning status in the north of Scotland ahead of Storm Éowyn
SSEN raised its preparedness for the north of Scotland on 21 January 2025 ahead of Storm Éowyn, then escalated to Red Alert as the Met Office forecast the winter's strongest winds.
Heatmiser extends NeoStat range with NeoStat Touch and NeoStat Pro
Heatmiser has added two smart thermostats, the NeoStat Touch and NeoStat Pro, to its NeoStat range, both controlled through the neoHub and neoApp ecosystem.
Government plans to almost double Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget for the next financial year
The Minister for Energy Consumers said the Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget will be almost doubled in the next financial year, as industry data showed record renewable installations in 2024.