Powering Homes News: page 45
- September 2024
Autumn Budget increases funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Autumn Budget has increased funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with the remainder of £1.8bn after fuel poverty support allocated to the grant scheme.
Dyness launches Powerbox G2 upgraded flagship household storage product
Dyness has announced the Powerbox G2, an upgraded low-voltage household battery with a higher discharge rate, built-in fire protection and a smaller footprint than the Powerbox Pro it follows.
SunutilitiesGroup Limited recorded as inactive by Energy Ombudsman
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded the energy broker SunutilitiesGroup Limited as inactive, with its membership of the dispute scheme shown as running from 10 January to 27 September 2024.
Ofgem announces consumer energy debt has reached £3.69 billion
Ofgem has reported that consumer energy debt reached £3.69 billion, up £400 million in a quarter, with National Energy Action calling the record level hugely alarming.
NIA responds to BS 40104 retrofit assessment code of practice
The National Insulation Association has published its response to the BS 40104 retrofit assessment code of practice, welcoming better quality assessments but warning of significant cost, time and workforce impacts.
Panasonic and tado° announce first integrated heat pump solution
Panasonic has announced its first integrated heat pump offering with tado°, bundling Aquarea air-to-water units with tado° room controls and the Balance energy management service for selected European markets from November.
Hypervolt launches full OVO Charge Anytime support
Hypervolt has released full OVO Charge Anytime support on its Home 3 Pro and Home 3.0 chargers, letting owners on the OVO tariff charge at 7p per kWh after a public beta trial.
Sungrow exhibits at Solar & Storage Live UK 2024 with first UK appearances of several products
Sungrow is exhibiting at Solar & Storage Live UK 2024 at the NEC Birmingham, giving UK first appearances to its micro-inverter family, iHomeManager, PowerTitan 2.0 and PowerStack 200CS.
Citizens Advice published its response to Ofgem's initial policy consultation
Citizens Advice has told Ofgem that its proposed review mechanism for the opex escalator under RIIO-T2 is not in consumers' interests because it could only ever raise allowances.
MCS launches Phase Two of the MCS Data Dashboard
MCS has launched Phase Two of its Data Dashboard, adding battery storage and Isle of Man figures, monthly breakdowns, a monthly contractor chart and a revised map of where installers operate.
Panasonic launches Aquarea Service+ maintenance package in the UK
Panasonic has launched Aquarea Service+, a paid maintenance and monitoring package for UK homes with its heat pumps, offered in three tiers and already running in five other markets.
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund collection withdrawn
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund collection was withdrawn on 23 September 2024 and replaced by the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, closing a grant route that had allocated more than £1 billion to social homes in England.
Warm Homes: Local Grant guidance first published
The government first published guidance for local authorities on the Warm Homes: Local Grant on 23 September 2024, setting out how £500 million will fund energy upgrades to low-income homes in England.
Which? reports smart meter customer service falling short
Which? has reported that around 10% of smart meters in homes in England, Scotland and Wales are not working as they should, and that customers reporting faults often face substandard supplier service.
Consumer Scotland responds to Ofgem standing charges options paper
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem that shifting suppliers' fixed costs from standing charges to unit rates would penalise households with high essential energy use, including those in Scotland.
Citizens Advice publishes report on targeted bill support across essential markets
Citizens Advice has published a report finding that targeted bill support across energy, water, broadband and motor insurance is failing low-income households, and setting out short-term actions for government.
ECO4, ECO Flex and GBIS closed pending Warm Homes Plan announcement
Act on Energy has reported that ECO4, ECO Flex and the Great British Insulation Scheme are closed, with all three waiting on the next UK Government announcement of the Warm Homes Plan.
equiwatt adds Zaptec EV charger integration with 250 bonus points reward
equiwatt has added Zaptec home EV chargers to its app, offering owners 250 bonus points and automatic pausing of charging during flexibility events.
Ofgem opens call for evidence on ECO4 and GBIS evidencing routes
Ofgem has opened a call for input on how eligibility is evidenced under ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, covering data-matching and benefit letter routes.
Winter Fuel Payment qualifying period closes amid Pension Credit processing delays
The Winter Fuel Payment qualifying period closes on 16 September 2024, while the Pension Credit helpline warns that new claims may take nine weeks to process.
Grant UK announces fifth generation Aerona 290 heat pump
Grant UK has announced the Aerona 290, its fifth generation air source heat pump, using R290 refrigerant and open for orders from October 2024, with larger outputs following in early 2025.
EDF launches bi-directional EV charging trial for solar customers
EDF has begun a trial using Indra Renewables bi-directional chargers so that customers with solar panels can power their homes from electric vehicle batteries and sell surplus power to the grid.
Dimplex launches Alta Wi-Fi panel heater range
Dimplex has launched the Alta Wi-Fi panel heater, a slimline wall mounted electric heater that replaces its Monterey, Girona and Saletto ranges, with app control and two height options.
Ofgem consults on refreshing the Consumer Vulnerability Strategy and launches Consumer Confidence programme
Ofgem consulted on refreshing its Consumer Vulnerability Strategy in September 2024 and set out a Consumer Confidence programme to raise customer service standards across the energy market.
Panasonic Aquarea M Series heat pumps with R290 available now
Panasonic has put its Aquarea M Series air-to-water heat pumps, using the natural refrigerant R290, on sale in 9, 12 and 16 kW sizes in single or three phase.
SSEN publishes SDP methodology consultation and opens Fawley Grid Supply Point consultation
SSEN Distribution has opened a consultation on how it will draw up its Strategic Development Plans, alongside a second area-specific consultation covering the Fawley Grid Supply Point.
Charities report rising energy debt levels in Scotland
Charities funded by the British Gas Energy Trust report rising energy debt in Scotland, with Citizens Advice clients averaging £2,300 in arrears and rural cases reaching £3,000.
EDF launches cheapest energy-only fixed tariffs among major suppliers
EDF has launched a one-year fixed tariff at £1,649 and a two-year fixed tariff at £1,669, both below October 2024's £1,717 price cap, alongside a one-year tariff tracking £50 below the cap.
Product Regulation and Metrology Bill published
The Government published the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill on 5 September 2024, with a safety charity welcoming its scope on online marketplace goods and e-bike battery risks.
Scottish Government delays Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to next year
The Scottish Government has delayed its new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment until next year, following the UK Government's decision to narrow eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment.