Powering Homes news, page 46
- October 2024
425 hosts signed up to Visit a Heat Pump six months after launch
Nesta reports that 425 people had signed up to host visits to their heat pumps six months after the Visit a Heat Pump platform launched nationwide on 11 April 2024.
KGCP Group Limited ceased active trading
The Energy Ombudsman records KGCP Group Limited, an energy broker, as inactive from 14 October 2024, and cannot review disputes about it because it was not signed up to the scheme.
Scottish Government publishes Heat in Buildings progress report 2024
The Scottish Government has published its 2024 Heat in Buildings progress report, showing over £210 million of delivery scheme funding in 2023-24 and rising heat pump installations.
Citizens Advice publishes Wales energy affordability research as price cap increases
Citizens Advice published research on 9 October 2024 showing households in Wales still need greater protection from high energy prices as the price cap rose, with thousands worried about falling behind on bills.
EDF and Pod Point launch EV charger and tariff bundle
EDF and Pod Point have launched a combined home charger and EV tariff bundle that cuts the upfront charger payment to £499 and spreads the rest over two years.
Consultation on Support for Low Carbon Heating in Residential Buildings published
Northern Ireland's Economy Minister has published the response to a consultation on support for low carbon heating in homes, setting out findings that will shape a future support scheme.
Grant Mag One DUO magnetic filter launched
Grant UK has launched the Mag One DUO magnetic filter for central heating systems, superseding the Vortex Mag One and compatible with both oil-fired boilers and air source heat pumps.
Welsh Ministers approve amendments to Approved Document J on carbon monoxide alarms
The Welsh Ministers have approved amendments to Approved Document J, extending carbon monoxide alarm guidance to new or replacement fixed flued combustion appliances of any fuel type in Welsh dwellings from 6 January 2025.
Rules and RegulationBoilers and HeatingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Secretary of State authorises Ofgem to over-allocate Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant vouchers
The Energy Secretary has authorised Ofgem to over-allocate Boiler Upgrade Scheme vouchers by up to £50 million, lifting the scheme's available total to £200 million for the financial year.
GetAHeatPump.org.uk guidance website launched
Nesta and the MCS Foundation have launched GetAHeatPump.org.uk, a non-commercial guidance site for householders, supported by Which UK? and the Energy Saving Trust.
2024 Flexi Product variable charges change at 1 October 2024
ScottishPower has published revised Flexi Product component rates taking effect from 1 October 2024, with balancing services costs rising and capacity market and smart meter costs falling.
Autumn Budget 2024 increases Energy Security and Net Zero departmental spending
The Autumn Budget raises planned spending for the Energy Security and Net Zero department from £6.4 billion in 2023-24 to £9.0 billion in 2024-25 and £10.3 billion in 2025-26.
Budget allocates £3.4 billion to the Warm Homes Plan
The government allocated £3.4 billion to the Warm Homes Plan in the Autumn Budget, including £1.8 billion for fuel poverty schemes, alongside tax incentives for electric vehicles.
Budget confirms £3.4 billion Warm Homes Plan downpayment but no new energy bill support
The first Budget of the new Government confirmed £3.4 billion for the Warm Homes Plan but offered no new support for households with energy bills this winter.
New crisis route introduced for households without heating or hot water
The Welsh Government has added a crisis route to the Warm Homes Nest scheme, giving one-off emergency repairs to households with no heating or hot water who meet the scheme's eligibility rules.
DEEP research finds solid wall insulation can cut energy bills by up to 30 per cent
Research led by Leeds Beckett University has found that insulating the UK's eight million solid walled homes could cut energy bills by up to 30 per cent, with solid wall insulation the single most effective measure studied.
ECIU analysis finds EPC F homes pay £385 more than EPC C homes this winter
ECIU analysis published on 1 October 2024 estimates that homes rated EPC F will pay around £385 more for dual fuel this winter than homes rated EPC C.
Energy price cap set at £1,717 for typical annual consumption
Ofgem's quarterly price cap for October to December 2024 is set at £1,717 a year for a typical dual fuel household, 10 per cent above the previous level and 38 per cent above winter 2021-22.
EO Charging ceases replacement units for Genius 1 and Hub 1
EO Charging has stopped supplying replacement units for its Genius 1 and Hub 1 chargers, with app payment services and its Cloud 1 platform to follow in January 2025.
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.