Powering Homes News: page 48
- July 2024
Retrofit at scale news published
The SD Foundation published a news item on retrofit at scale on 31 July 2024, listed by the Passivhaus Trust alongside its own guidance on upgrading existing homes to the EnerPHit retrofit standard.
Charities write to Chancellor urging reconsideration of Winter Fuel Payment removal
More than 50 organisations have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves asking the Government to reconsider restricting the Winter Fuel Payment to pensioners on certain means-tested benefits.
Rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan announced
Defra has confirmed that the rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan announced on 30 July 2024 is complete, with a revised plan due in 2025 and no specific air quality commitments set out so far.
Chancellor announces Winter Fuel Payment eligibility restricted to benefit recipients
The Chancellor restricted Winter Fuel Payment eligibility from winter 2024-25 to people receiving Pension Credit and certain other benefits, cutting the Block-Grant Adjustment by an estimated £150 million.
Government announces winter fuel payments will be means-tested
Means testing of the Winter Fuel Payment, announced on 29 July 2024, drove a 145% rise in pension credit applications, with nearly half of processed claims rejected.
SALUS launches IT800WiFi smart thermostat
SALUS Controls has launched the IT800WiFi, a standalone smart thermostat with app, Zigbee and Bluetooth control, a rechargeable battery and a wireless charging dock, announced on 26 July 2024.
Mixergy announces Robert Heath as warranty service provider
Mixergy has named Robert Heath as a warranty service and maintenance provider for its smart hot water cylinders, with the firm joining its network of warranty partners in Autumn 2024.
Energy UK publishes policy proposals for affordable bills this winter
Energy UK has proposed funding energy efficiency schemes from general taxation, shifting policy costs onto gas bills and doubling the Warm Home Discount to cut household bills this winter.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapGrants and Schemes
Resolution Foundation publishes net zero investment priorities for new Government
The Resolution Foundation says UK net zero investment must rise four-fold on post-2010 levels, and warns that high upfront costs for heat pumps could put low carbon heating out of reach for poorer households.
SGN publishes article on fuel poverty support partnerships
SGN has set out how its Safe and Warm Community Scheme with the Centre for Sustainable Energy and its Safe and Warm programme with Citizens Advice Scotland are reaching households in fuel poverty.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant increase credited with rising heat pump take-up
The Climate Change Committee credits higher Boiler Upgrade Scheme funding and grants with a significant rise in heat pump take-up, in its 2024 progress report to Parliament.
CCC calls for reversal of recent policy rollbacks
The Climate Change Committee's 2024 progress report to Parliament urges the new Government to reverse recent rollbacks on boilers, rented homes and fossil-fuel vehicle sales.
CCC finds only a third of 2030 emissions reductions covered by credible plans
The Climate Change Committee's 2024 progress report to Parliament finds only a third of the emissions cuts needed for the UK's 2030 target are backed by credible plans, up from a quarter a year earlier.
CCC says UK off track for Net Zero with only a third of 2030 emissions cuts covered by credible plans
The Climate Change Committee says only a third of the emissions cuts needed for the UK's 2030 target are backed by credible plans, and has sent the new Government ten priority recommendations.
ESPR framework came into effect
The EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation took effect on 18 July 2024, replacing the Ecodesign Directive, and the UK has since confirmed it will keep recognising CE marking for products regulated under it.
Which? investigation finds EPCs inaccurate and calls for reform
Which? has published an investigation finding that most sampled Energy Performance Certificates were inaccurate or carried unhelpful recommendations, and is calling on the government to reform the system.
E3G publishes framework for cheap, clean electricity for Great Britain by 2030
E3G has published a framework for moving Great Britain to a low-cost, clean electricity system by 2030, arguing that continued gas dependence leaves households and public finances exposed.
Powervault P5 warranty applies to products sold from 16 July 2024
Powervault has published warranty terms for its P5 home battery covering units sold in the United Kingdom from 16 July 2024, with pro-rata battery replacement and a ten-day defect notification window.
Welsh Government publishes Heat strategy for Wales with action plan
The Welsh Government has published its Heat strategy for Wales and an accompanying action plan, setting out how net zero heat will be achieved across all sectors by 2050.
E3G publishes briefing on a warmer, fairer private rented sector
E3G has published a briefing setting out how a higher energy efficiency standard of EPC C could be delivered in the private rented sector in England and Wales.
Nesta publishes Delivering clean heat: a policy plan
Nesta has published a policy plan for decarbonising UK home heating, alongside analysis that more than three million homes must install heat pumps or other low-carbon heating this Parliament.
Product safety report published for Joule ModulAir heat pump over fire risk
A government product safety report has identified a fire risk in the Joule ModulAir All E heat pump and named six affected models, with Joule contacting owners to arrange an upgrade.
Baxi heat pumps and services support 16 Passivhaus social homes in Dalbeattie
Baxi supplied air source heat pumps, cylinders, controls, training and site support for 16 Passivhaus social homes built for Loreburn Housing Association in Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway.
Consumer Scotland publishes response to Ofgem consultation on acquisition-only tariffs ban
Consumer Scotland has published its response to Ofgem's statutory consultation on the future of the ban on acquisition-only energy tariffs, dated 8 July 2024.
SMMT calls for halving of VAT on BEVs for three years
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has called on the next government to halve VAT on battery electric cars for three years, as private retail demand fell for a ninth month.
Heat Pump Association launches consumer articles on low-carbon heating
The Heat Pump Association has published five consumer articles covering the stages of a heat pump installation, from first considerations through to owner experiences of living with one.
Big Energy Credit Claim Back campaign set to end
The Big Energy Credit Claim Back campaign, which saw more than 20,000 customers reclaim unused credit from suppliers, ends on 1 July as households begin saving again for winter.
Consumer Scotland published response opposing early BAT removal
Consumer Scotland has told Ofgem it opposes removing the ban on acquisition-only tariffs on 1 October 2024, saying the protection should stay for the foreseeable future.
Energy Price Guarantee ceased applying to tariffs
The Energy Price Guarantee stopped applying to tariffs on 1 July 2024, ending the scheme that capped supplier rates and required landlords to pass on discounts to tenants.
Final Heat Strategy for Wales and Action Plan published
The Welsh Government published its final Heat Strategy for Wales and an accompanying Action Plan in July 2024, setting out how homes, businesses and public buildings are to move to low carbon heat by 2050.