Powering Homes news, page 47
- October 2024
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.
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.