Powering Homes news, page 43
- November 2024
Ofgem approved REC Change Proposal R0209
Ofgem has approved a Retail Energy Code change proposal setting out how Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement arrangements will be implemented across the electricity retail market.
Uswitch updates EV charging cost guide
Uswitch updated its electric car charging cost and charging time guides on 26 November 2024, setting out current average unit rates, example charging costs and home charging times.
Which? reports heat pumps can be cheapest way to heat a home with grants and specialist tariffs
Which? has reported that combining the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant with specialist heat pump tariffs can make heat pumps the cheapest way to heat a home, with savings of up to £560 a year.
SSEN restores power to all customers affected by Storm Bert
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has reconnected every home and business left without power by Storm Bert, after high winds and flooding damaged overhead lines across its north and south distribution areas.
WH:SHF Wave 3 application window closes
The application window for Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund closed at midday on 25 November 2024, ending bidding for a scheme originally allocated £1.29bn for social housing retrofit in England.
Ember reports rising gas costs driving up GB electricity prices
Ember reports that gas prices rising through 2024 have pushed up the cost of gas-fired electricity in Great Britain and fed into the 1.2% increase in the energy price cap.
MCS publishes response to MCS 020 consultation and sets out key changes to the standard
MCS has published its response to the MCS 020 consultation, confirming a split into two standards, a 37 dB(A) overall sound limit and publication of sound power levels on its Product Directory.
Ofgem sets price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2025
Ofgem has set the energy price cap for 1 January to 31 March 2025 at £1,738 a year for a typical Direct Debit dual fuel household, a rise of £21 or 1.2% on the current level.
£500 million allocated to Warm Homes: Local Grant in Autumn Budget
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has allocated £500 million from the Autumn Budget to the Warm Homes: Local Grant, for delivery in England from 2025 to 2028.
DESNZ announces further £30 million for BUS in 2024/25, raising Year 3 budget to £180 million
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has added £30 million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for 2024/25, taking the Year 3 budget to £180 million.
DESNZ announces measures to support low-carbon heating
DESNZ has added £30 million to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme this financial year, set a reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism for 1 April 2025 and removed the one metre boundary rule for air source heat pumps in England.
EDF launches 12-month fixed tariff priced below the January price cap
EDF has launched a 12-month fixed tariff at £1,608 for a typical direct debit household, which it says is £130 below the level the January price cap is expected to reach.
Government announces BUS budget increase to £295 million for 2025/26
The government has almost doubled the Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget to £295 million for 2025/26, up from £205 million in 2024/25, as part of wider plans to grow the heat pump market.
Government announces Warm Homes Plan steps with boosted heat pump funding and planning reform
The government has set out the first steps of its Warm Homes Plan, boosting Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding, removing the one metre heat pump planning rule in England and reforming the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.
SSEN moves to Weather Warning status ahead of Storm Bert
SSEN has moved to Weather Warning status ahead of Storm Bert, bringing in extra teams and texting 750,000 Priority Services Register customers before severe weather on 23 and 24 November.
Total funding available for local authorities announced
The government has announced the total funding available to local authorities for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, a £500 million scheme to upgrade low-income homes in England from 2025.
The autumn 2024 energy price cap disclosure consultation closed
Ofgem's call for input on disclosure arrangements for the autumn 2024 energy price cap consultation closed on 20 November 2024, covering how models and data are shared with stakeholders.
Energy UK publishes Winter 2024 Commitment for household customers
Energy UK and 15 suppliers covering almost the entire market have published a Winter 2024 Commitment setting out financial help, debt advice and service standards for household customers.
Cornwall Insight report models up to £650 annual savings from heat pump flexing
A Cornwall Insight model commissioned by Nesta finds heat pump owners could save up to £650 a year by moving to a time-of-use tariff and shifting heat demand away from peak times.
EAS writes to the First Minister urging reinstatement of the Fuel Insecurity Fund
Energy Action Scotland has written to the First Minister asking him to restore the Fuel Insecurity Fund, worth £30 million last year, in next month's Scottish budget.
Nesta and CNZ trial finds remote control of heat pumps cuts peak electricity use
A Nesta and Centre for Net Zero trial found that remotely controlling heat pumps during peak periods cut heat pump electricity use by 74% and household electricity use by 32%, with most participants satisfied.
Renault 5 E-Tech 100% electric priced from £22,995 OTR ahead of January 2025 order opening
Renault UK has announced that the Renault 5 E-Tech 100% electric will start at £22,995 on the road, with orders opening in January 2025 and first UK deliveries in Spring 2025.
Dyness launches Powerbox G2 residential energy storage system
Dyness has announced the Powerbox G2, a low-voltage home battery with a built-in active fire protection device and a 30 per cent reduction in volume against its flagship residential unit.
NGN launches free CO alarm giveaway for CO Awareness Week
Northern Gas Networks is giving away up to 2,000 free carbon monoxide alarms from 18 November 2024 until 28 February 2025, after its research found only 37 per cent of people in its regions have a working alarm.
Where Our Energy Comes FromBoilers and HeatingGrants and Schemes
UKHSA issues first yellow cold weather alert of the year for five English regions
The UK Health Security Agency has issued its first yellow cold weather alert of the season for five English regions, running until 21 November, as National Energy Action warns of fuel poverty risks.
Welsh Government announces additional £700,000 for Fuel Bank Foundation schemes
The Welsh Government has added £700,000 to Fuel Bank Foundation fuel voucher and Heat Fund schemes, bringing support for 2024/25 to £1.2m for households that pre-pay for energy.
Grants and SchemesEnergy Bills and the Price CapScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
AECB publishes Passive House resource for the UK
The AECB has published a downloadable PDF titled "Passive House low energy low carbon buildings arrive in the UK!", dated 14 November 2024, alongside two further low energy building resources.
DESNZ publishes ECO4 and GBIS mid-scheme changes consultation
DESNZ has opened a consultation on mid-scheme changes to ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, covering installation standards, guarantees and a proposed Pay-For-Performance mechanism.
ECO4A insulation measures per property rules applied retrospectively
Amendments to the Energy Company Obligation orders limit insulation measures per property and apply retrospectively to installations completed on or after 14th November 2024, under an order made on 31st July 2025.
Grants and SchemesInsulation and GlazingRules and Regulation
EDF and Ideal Heating launch £1,000 heat pump discount offer
EDF and Ideal Heating are offering £1,000 off Ideal air source heat pump systems to the first 100 eligible customers who sign up before 24 November 2024, with installed systems from £3,500 after the Boiler Upgrade Grant.