Powering Homes news, page 45
- November 2024
HHIC releases updated condensate pipe guidance ahead of winter
The Heating and Hot Water Industry Council has issued updated guidance on condensate pipes, advising engineers and homeowners to insulate and correctly install them before winter.
Ideal Heating receives first Heat Pump Investment Accelerator award
Ideal Heating has become the first recipient of a Heat Pump Investment Accelerator award, receiving over £5 million as part of a wider government package on home heating and efficiency.
Launch of EV facts initiative by SMMT, Auto Trader and ChargeUK
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Auto Trader and ChargeUK have launched an EV facts initiative to provide a balanced, data-backed view of electric vehicle motoring.
Ofgem opens enforcement investigation into Utilita
Ofgem has opened an enforcement investigation into Utilita's compliance with the rules governing the installation and use of prepayment meters for domestic customers, it disclosed in November 2024.
Residential firmware bundle 4.22.39 released
SolarEdge has published residential firmware bundle 4.22.39 for its UK home inverters, adding per-phase imbalance reporting, G100 monitoring features and country table updates.
Scottish Government announced £41 million additional energy cost support
The Scottish Government put £41 million into winter 2024/2025 energy cost support, split between the Scottish Welfare Fund and Warmer Homes Scotland.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Scottish Power customer service satisfaction improves by eighteen points
Scottish Power's overall customer service satisfaction rose eighteen points to +56 in Which? research published in February 2025, bringing the supplier to around the sector average.
SMMT warns industry likely to fall short of 22% ZEV target
The SMMT said in November 2024 that electric cars made up 18.7% of sales and the industry was likely to miss the 22% zero emission vehicle target, at a possible £1.8bn compliance cost.
Social tariff working group established
The Scottish Government set up a social tariff working group in November 2024 to co-design a deliverable policy with suppliers and third sector organisations, and sent its recommendations to the UK Government in March 2025.
tado° and Panasonic announced a strategic partnership and smart heat pump bundle
tado° and Panasonic have launched two smart features for AQUAREA heat pumps, one available now and one from November 2025, building on a partnership first announced in 2024.
Updated technical handbooks published
Updated Scottish technical handbooks applying from 1 January 2025 were published in November 2024, amending the New Build Heat Standard and gigabit broadband provision for new homes.
- October 2024
Autumn Budget 2024 published
The Autumn Budget 2024 raises the Energy Profits Levy to 38 per cent, freezes fuel duty for a year and extends the Household Support Fund, with £100 billion of extra capital investment over five years.
Autumn Budget commits £3.4bn to energy efficiency of low-income homes
The Autumn Budget has committed £3.4 billion over three years to improve the energy efficiency of low-income homes, with £1.8 billion directed to fuel poverty schemes.
Chancellor delivers Labour's first budget since 2009 with climate and energy measures
Rachel Reeves has delivered Labour's first budget since 2009, freezing fuel duty again while raising the windfall tax on oil and gas profits and funding electric vehicle charging and clean energy projects.
Electric Heating Company partners with Mixergy to offer Mixergy X smart hot water cylinder
The Electric Heating Company will sell the Mixergy X smart hot water cylinder through its own website under a partnership announced by cylinder maker Mixergy on 30 October 2024.
Household Support Fund extension announced
The Chancellor announced funding on 30 October 2024 to extend the Household Support Fund for a further year, with £742 million going to local authorities in England from April 2025.
NEA responds to Autumn Budget 2024 warning on energy bills and debt
National Energy Action said the Autumn Budget will not reduce the effect of unaffordable energy bills or record energy debt this winter, warning of likely bill rises in January.
British Gas Energy Trust and Post Office launch winter pop-up events
The British Gas Energy Trust and the Post Office are running free drop-in pop-up events at post offices in seven UK cities this winter, offering budget planning, energy debt advice and grant access help.
Government blog responds to reports solar may be optional under Future Homes Standard
The government has said it wants solar panels on as many new homes as possible, after reports that the Future Homes Standard may make them optional for housebuilders.
IM 026 changed to a substantial innovation measure
Ofgem has approved the standard uplift innovation measure IM 026 as a substantial innovation measure under ECO4, following an application assessed through the TAP process.
MCS published an update on solar PV module fire classifications
MCS has set out how a change to a European standard in September 2023 stopped fire test laboratories issuing fire classifications for solar PV modules, blocking roof-integrated products from Building Regulations compliance and MCS certification.
NEA announces delivery of Warm Homes, Healthy Futures with the four gas distribution networks
National Energy Action has announced delivery of Warm Homes, Healthy Futures, a £12.2 million programme with the four gas distribution networks, intended to reach around 30,000 vulnerable people.
Solis expands smart charge and discharge functionality to 14 European countries
Ginlong (Solis) Technologies has extended smart battery charge and discharge control, using day-ahead electricity prices, to customers in 14 European countries including the United Kingdom.
Version 3 Statement of Intent withdrawn
The City of Edinburgh Council has withdrawn the 2023 Statement of Intent for ECO4 flexible eligibility Version 3, the document that set out which households the council could declare eligible for ECO4 Flex.
SSEN moves to Weather Warning status ahead of Storm Ashley
SSEN has moved to Weather Warning status across the north of Scotland ahead of Storm Ashley, with gusts of up to 70mph forecast for Sunday 20 and Monday 21 October 2024.
Green Homes Wales pilot scheme launched by Welsh Government with Development Bank of Wales
The Welsh Government has launched the Green Homes Wales pilot with the Development Bank of Wales, offering homeowners interest-free loans and funded retrofit advice for energy-saving work.
New Homes (Solar Generation) Bill receives first reading
A private member's bill requiring solar panels on new homes in England from October 2026 has had its first reading in the Commons, with a second reading set for 17 January 2025.
Kaluza powers Battery Boost for OVO solar customers with GivEnergy batteries
Kaluza has announced that its software platform powers Battery Boost, a plan that charges GivEnergy home batteries at 10p per kWh for OVO solar customers and is said to save them £120 a year.
Fourth round of winter Post Office Pop-Ups launches
The British Gas Energy Trust has opened a fourth winter round of money and energy advice Pop-Ups in Post Offices across Britain, running two days a week until March 2025.
NIBE launches 'Take the Step' heat pump consumer education campaign
NIBE Energy Systems has launched a consumer education campaign called Take the Step, aimed at addressing common heat pump concerns in the UK and generating leads for its certified installers.