Powering Homes News: page 52
- May 2024
Indefinite CE recognition established for 21 product regulations
The previous government removed the time limit on CE recognition in May 2024, making CE marking indefinitely valid for 21 product regulations including the 2010 Ecodesign Regulations.
Inflation returns to Bank of England 2.0% target
UK inflation reached the Bank of England's 2.0% target in May 2024, down from a 41-year high of 11.1% in October 2022, though household energy bills remain well above their pre-crisis levels.
National Infrastructure Commission report confirms UK on course for over 300,000 public chargers by 2030
ChargeUK's July 2024 white paper reports nearly a million UK charge points and says growth is on track for more than 300,000 public chargers by 2030, as the National Infrastructure Commission confirmed in May 2024.
Ofgem publishes benchmark maximum charges for Charge Restriction Period 12b
Ofgem has published the regional benchmark maximum charges for gas and electricity under the default tariff cap for Charge Restriction Period 12b, with all values given exclusive of VAT.
Opinium survey finds 4.5 million adults made unwell by home heat
Opinium polling released by energy efficiency campaigners found 4.5 million UK adults, 8 per cent of the population, were made unwell by heat in their own homes in the last 12 months.
Survey finds UK public favours gas over heat pumps
A YouGov survey for the Energy and Utilities Alliance has found that only 10% of people would consider a heat pump as a replacement for a gas boiler, while about half would prefer hydrogen added to the existing gas supply.
- April 2024
EDF launches Essentials 1Yr May25 fixed tariff
EDF has launched Essentials 1Yr May25, a one-year fixed tariff priced at £1,580, which it says is £110 below the current price cap and the cheapest offered by any large supplier.
Which? publishes EPC reform policy paper
Which? has published a policy paper calling on the UK and Scottish governments to reform Energy Performance Certificates on information, accessibility and accuracy, saying current certificates fail households.
BUS regulations amended by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
Ofgem's quarterly reports confirm the Boiler Upgrade Scheme regulations were amended in May 2024, with the scheme's budget, grant levels and application rules changing repeatedly since.
E3G publishes report on creating a UK heat pump mass market
E3G has published a report setting out the routes to market and financial offers it says are needed to underpin a mass market for heat pumps in the UK.
New warranty registration system replaced old warranty form
Sunsynk has replaced its old warranty registration form with a new system, warning that registrations made on or before 24 April 2024 may not be searchable on it.
New extended warranty terms take effect for qualifying purchases
Luxpower has confirmed that extended warranty terms apply to end customers who buy and install its inverters together with its own brand batteries from 23 April 2024 onwards.
SSEN announces £4.1m underground cable upgrade in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
SSEN Distribution has announced a £4.1m project to replace more than 3.7km of underground cables in Aberdeen, improving supplies to over 7,000 properties and adding capacity for heat pumps and EV chargers.
Consultation on smart and secure electricity system implementation published
The government has published its response to the 2024 consultation on smart and secure electricity systems, confirming standards for energy smart appliances, a load control licence and time of use tariff rules.
Phase One of East Dunblane network upgrade scheduled to start
SSEN Distribution is to begin the first phase of a £900,000 upgrade of the electricity network in East Dunblane on 15 April 2024, replacing underground cables and substation equipment.
Invoice schedule template and agent information added
HMRC has added a schedule of invoices template and guidance on using an agent to its DIY housebuilders VAT refund guidance, and added invoice date of issue to the list of required details.
Non-MCS export application approved and exports live
A household whose solar installer was not MCS-registered has had its non-MCS export application approved by Octopus Energy, with exports going live on 11 April 2024.
SunPower Performance 7 became available in EMEA and APAC
Maxeon has launched its SunPower Performance 7 solar panels for homes and businesses in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, with a 30-year warranty and Cradle to Cradle Bronze certification.
Visit a Heat Pump scheme officially launched
Nesta launched its nationwide Visit a Heat Pump service on 11 April 2024, letting householders book a visit to see a working heat pump in a nearby home before deciding on one.
EHPA publishes its annual report for 2023
The European Heat Pump Association has published its annual report for 2023, setting out what the Brussels-based industry body describes as the year's highlights, challenges and hot topics.
Consultation on changes to various permitted development rights closes
The government consultation on changes to various permitted development rights, covering home extensions, electric vehicle chargepoints and air source heat pumps, closed for responses on 9 April 2024.
Permitted development rights consultation closes
A government consultation on changes to permitted development rights in England, including rules affecting air source heat pumps, closed on 9 April 2024 after opening on 13 February.
ECIU analysis scores Government energy security strategy 3/10 two years on
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit has scored the Government three out of ten on the commitments in its British Energy Security Strategy, two years after it was published.
ECO4 Delivery Guidance version 2.1 published
Ofgem published version 2.1 of its ECO4 Delivery Guidance on 5 April 2024, adding rules on customer contributions, insulation preconditions, electric heating and hybrid heat pumps.
ECO4 Measures Table version 3.0 published
Ofgem has published version 3.0 of the ECO4 Measures Table, adding an electric storage heater row and revising footnotes and eligibility presentation.
OVO launches 0% APR solar financing option
OVO has launched a 0% APR solar financing option giving households 36 months interest-free to spread the cost of a solar panel installation, subject to a £500 deposit.
Cornwall Insight projects price cap rise in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025
Cornwall Insight projections published by EDF show the price cap falling to £1,560 in Q3 2024, then rising to £1,631 in Q4 2024 and £1,634 in Q1 2025.
HHIC responds to DLUHC consultation on permitted development rights changes
The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council has told a government consultation that the one metre boundary rule and the 0.6 cubic metre size limit for air source heat pumps should not be removed without safeguards.
Schneider Electric launches three eMobility charging solutions
Schneider Electric has announced three electric vehicle charging products, including a home charger and a commercial fast charger, at its annual Innovation Summit.
2024 Flexi Product variable charges take their 1 April 2024 values
ScottishPower has published the component unit rates and standing charges that make up its Flexi Product variable costs from 1 April 2024, with a second set of values shown for 1 October 2024.