Powering Homes News: page 44
- October 2024
ev.energy launches Solar Smart mode and new solar features
ev.energy has launched Solar Smart mode for its SOLAR product, adding live solar inverter integrations covering more than 700 models, an in-app daily solar forecast and a refreshed app interface.
Good Energy launches FIT REGO Boost
Good Energy launched FIT REGO Boost in October 2024, a scheme that pays small solar generators for the renewable certificates their panels produce, separate from feed-in tariff payments.
Government to consult on private rented sector EPC C standard by 2030
The government has said it will consult by the end of the year on requiring privately rented homes in England to reach EPC C by 2030, as analysis puts the winter bill gap between efficient and inefficient homes at £385.
UK Government launches heat pump campaign for England and Wales
The UK Government has launched a heat pump campaign for England and Wales, encouraging households to adopt the technology and apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Grant Aerona 290 heat pump range opens for orders
Grant UK has opened orders for its fifth generation Aerona 290 air-to-water heat pump, with 4kW, 6.5kW and 9kW models first and larger outputs due in early 2025.
Grant UK to launch QR Smart Pre-Plumbed cylinders, controller kits, installation pack and internal volumiser
Grant UK will add four QR Smart Pre-Plumbed cylinders, heat pump controller kits, an installation pack and a 50ltr internal volumiser to its renewables range from October 2024, alongside the Aerona 290 heat pump launch.
Green Homes Wales pilot launched in autumn 2024
The Green Homes Wales pilot, launched in autumn 2024, has offered households above the Nest and ECO4 income thresholds advice, interest-free finance and vetted retrofit experts.
Grants and SchemesWhere to StartScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Green Homes Wales scheme launched
The Welsh Government launched the Green Homes Wales scheme in October 2024, offering interest-free loans of between £1,000 and £25,000 to homeowners for energy-saving improvements.
Household Support Fund extended to end of March 2026 at same funding level
The Budget has extended the Household Support Fund to the end of March 2026 at the same cash level as under the previous government, with no inflation adjustment, while confirming £3.4 billion for the Warm Homes Plan.
Hoymiles launches LB-G2 battery series
Hoymiles has launched the LB-(5-12)S-G2 series of low-voltage stackable lithium iron phosphate batteries for residential and small commercial energy storage, with capacity up to 102.4 kWh.
National Grid ESO confirms DFS will continue year-round
National Grid ESO has confirmed the Demand Flexibility Service will keep being developed to manage high demand periods across the whole year, according to research published by Nesta.
Ofgem minded to remove ban on acquisition-only tariffs from 1 October 2024
Ofgem has said it is minded to lift the ban on acquisition-only tariffs from 1 October 2024, prompting a coalition of consumer groups and suppliers to urge it to reconsider.
Price cap changes allow suppliers 11% more profit on standard variable tariffs
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition says price cap changes from October let suppliers earn 11% more profit on standard variable tariffs, part of £483 billion in profits since the bills crisis began.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationEnergy Suppliers
Private Members' Bill on Lithium-ion Battery Safety introduced at second reading
Lord Redesdale has introduced a Private Members' Bill on lithium-ion battery safety in the House of Lords, carrying clauses proposed by Electrical Safety First, with committee stage set for 22 October.
Public support for energy social tariff surges ahead of the Budget
Opinium polling for the Warm This Winter campaign puts public support for an energy social tariff at 75 per cent, up from 57 per cent before the General Election, ahead of the Budget.
Research finds 84% of disabled pensioners expect to lose Winter Fuel Payments
Opinium research reported by the End Fuel Poverty Coalition finds 84% of older people with a long-term health condition or disability say they will no longer receive Winter Fuel Payments.
Second phase of debt cost levelisation proposed no earlier than October 2024
Ofgem has opened a statutory consultation on levelling debt-related costs between standard credit and direct debit customers, with a second phase proposed no earlier than October 2024.
Speak, Seek, Save debt advice campaign launches for winter
Energy UK's Winter 2024 Commitment sets out supplier support for household customers from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025, alongside the Citizens Advice Speak, Seek, Save debt advice campaign.
Super Cylinder v3.0 guarantee updated
Newark Cylinders has updated the guarantee on its Super Cylinder v3.0 range to five years as standard and seven years for units installed by Heat Geek Verified and Elite installers.
Tariff uplift increased BUS grant levels
Ofgem's twelfth Boiler Upgrade Scheme quarterly report confirms the grant rose to £7,500 for air and ground source heat pumps from 23 October 2023, with £189.7 million allocated in Year 3.
TrustMark audits identify poor-quality solid wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS
TrustMark audits in October 2024 found significant poor-quality solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS, prompting installer suspensions and a wider government audit.
TrustMark notifies DESNZ of non-compliant external wall insulation installations
TrustMark told the government in October 2024 that a high share of external wall insulation installed under ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme failed to meet the required quality standard.
Warm Home Discount scheme to open in October 2024
The Warm Home Discount in Scotland reopens in October 2024, paying £150 towards energy costs, as charities report rising energy debt among Scottish households.
Winter Fuel Payment means testing proceeds despite campaign concerns
The UK Government is proceeding with means testing the Winter Fuel Payment, as charities warn up to 970,000 eligible older people miss out on Pension Credit and will lose the payment.
Zehnder Charleston warranty set at 10 years for products purchased from this date
Zehnder Group UK has set a 10 year warranty on its Steel Multicolumn (Zehnder Charleston) radiators for products purchased from 1 October 2024, according to its published warranty terms.
- September 2024
Hypervolt and Octopus Energy open Octopus Intelligent Go integration to all v3 customers in Open Beta
Hypervolt has opened an Open Beta integration letting all Home 3 and Home 3 Pro customers enable the Octopus Intelligent Go smart charging tariff from the Octopus Energy app.
NEA and YouGov survey finds 46% of GB adults likely to ration energy this winter
A National Energy Action and YouGov survey has found that 46 per cent of adults in Great Britain are likely to ration their energy use this winter, as the price cap rises 10 per cent.
UK's last coal-fired power station closes
Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Britain's last coal-fired power station, closed on 30 September 2024, ending 142 years of coal generation and leaving gas, wind and imports to meet UK electricity demand.
SSEN net zero local network programme works begin in Bournemouth area
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks has begun a £12 million upgrade of the electricity network serving almost 200,000 customers around Bournemouth, running from Christchurch to Boscombe until 2026.
Which? launches free home energy planning service
Which? has launched a free online home energy planning service giving households a personalised improvement plan, estimated costs and savings, grant checks and access to vetted installers.