Powering Homes News: page 53
- April 2024
Additional £735m energy debt charge takes effect under Ofgem rules
Ofgem's additional £735m bad debt allowance took effect on 1 April 2024, adding £28 a year to the typical household bill on top of £842m already charged.
New approach to consumer protection in energy markets to apply from April 2024 onwards
The government has confirmed it will develop a new approach to consumer protection in energy markets applying from April 2024, including options such as social tariffs.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications more than doubled year on year after grant increase
Applications to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme more than doubled in April 2024 compared with April 2023, after the grant rose from £5,000 to £7,500, according to figures cited by industry.
New Build Heat Standard takes effect in Scotland
Scotland's New Build Heat Standard took effect on 1 April 2024, barring direct emission heating in new buildings whose building warrant is applied for on or after that date.
Climate Change Levy main rates change for gas and solid fuels
From 1 April 2024 the main Climate Change Levy rate on gas rises to match the frozen electricity rate, with solid fuel rates raised proportionally and LPG left frozen.
E.ON pay-monthly subscription pilot to launch in April
E.ON will open a pay-monthly subscription pilot in April giving 350 North West households a heat pump, solar panels and a battery from £150 a month over 20 years.
Energy Price Guarantee replaced by levelisation scheme
The Energy Price Guarantee's prepayment unit rate discount was replaced on 1 April 2024 by a non-volumetric payment levelisation scheme that shifts costs between payment methods.
Gas network costs charged to households rise 38% from 1 April 2024
The estimated annual household contribution to running the gas network rose from £118.53 in 2021 to £163.69 from 1 April 2024, a 38% increase, according to a Warm This Winter report.
Household Support Fund extension began
The Household Support Fund extension to 30 September 2024 began on 1 April 2024, with £421 million allocated to local authorities in England for vulnerable households.
ivie publishes Heat Pumps 101 guide
ivie has published Heat Pumps 101, the fourth and final free guide in its Future of Energy series, answering common questions about how heat pumps work and whether they suit a home.
Market Stabilisation Charge to be removed
The Market Stabilisation Charge, a temporary levy paid between suppliers when customers switch, is to be removed in April 2024, Energy UK has said in an explainer on price cap cost recovery.
NEA fuel poverty estimate updated for the price cap from 1 April 2024
National Energy Action's estimate that 6 million UK households, 21.1 per cent, are in fuel poverty applies from 1 April 2024, when the new Ofgem price cap took effect.
Ofgem began reviewing permanent removal of prepayment premium
Ofgem began work in April 2024 on options to remove the prepayment meter price premium for good, after a temporary ban on charging prepayment customers more took effect in July 2023.
Ofgem confirms technical changes to price cap wholesale model taking effect from April 2024
Ofgem has confirmed technical changes to the wholesale cost allowance model used to set the energy price cap, taking effect from April 2024, and decided against adjusting the cap for 2022 to 2023 wholesale costs.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes From
Ofgem to consult on operating cost allowances in spring 2024
Ofgem expects to consult in spring 2024 on changes to operating cost allowances, following a call for input and its analysis of requests for information.
Ofgem planned formal consultation on Consumer Consent for Spring 2024
Ofgem has said it will publish a consultation in spring 2024 setting out proposed decisions on how energy consumers give, manage and revoke consent to share their data.
Ofgem price cap from April 2024 puts poorly insulated homes around £340 a year worse off on gas bills
Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds that under Ofgem's April 2024 price cap, homes rated EPC band F pay around £340 a year more for gas than band C homes.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationInsulation and Glazing
OVO electricity standing charge rises to 60.31p per day
A customer on the OVO community forum reports their electricity standing charge rising from 43.39p per day in 2023 to 60.31p per day from 1 April 2024, and asks why.
Prepayment meter standing charges levelled with Direct Debit under the price cap
From 1 April 2024 prepayment meter standing charges fall to the level paid by direct debit customers under Ofgem's price cap, ending the long-standing prepayment premium.
Energy Bills and the Price CapRules and RegulationStatistics
Recast EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive adopted
The recast EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was adopted in April 2024, setting renovation and zero-emission building goals that the Scottish Government says it aims to align with where possible.
New redeveloped MCS Scheme comes into effect
The redeveloped MCS Scheme took effect on 1 April 2024, resetting the consumer protections that sit behind certified small-scale renewable installations in UK homes.
REMA update includes zonal pricing as an option for further consideration
Ofgem's discussion paper on the future of the default tariff price cap sets out options for reform, including zonal wholesale pricing, and asks for responses by 10 May 2024.
Standing charges rise as unit costs fall slightly from 1 April
Electricity standing charges rise 13% and gas standing charges 6% from 1 April 2024, while unit costs fall slightly, as analysis puts energy firm profits at over £420 billion since the crisis began.
Supplier switches must complete within five working days with £30 compensation
Ofgem rules in force from 1 April 2024 require energy suppliers to complete a customer's switch within five working days, with £30 compensation payable if the deadline is missed.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Temporary debt-related costs allowance introduced in the price cap
Ofgem introduced a temporary allowance in the price cap from April 2024 letting suppliers recover debt-related costs incurred between April 2022 and March 2024 above the permanent allowances.
Third £299 cost of living payment due in spring 2024
The final £299 instalment of the £900 means-tested cost of living payment is due in spring 2024, following £301 paid in spring 2023 and £300 in autumn 2023.
TrustMark notifies DESNZ of suspected fraud under ECO schemes
The National Audit Office reports that TrustMark told DESNZ in April 2024 that some retrofit businesses were suspected of overclaiming for work carried out under the Energy Company Obligation.
Updated WHQS 2023 standard published
The Welsh Government has published an updated Welsh Housing Quality Standard, WHQS 2023, adding guidance on carbon emissions across housing portfolios and on whole stock assessments and the Target Energy Pathway.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandYour Type of Home
Warm Homes advice service full public launch
The Welsh Government has confirmed that a full public Warm Homes advice service will be launched on 1 April 2024, offering impartial advice on using energy more efficiently.
Warm Homes Nest scheme launched
The Welsh Government launched its new demand-led Warm Homes Nest scheme on 1 April 2024, replacing the previous Nest contract, which ran to the end of March 2024.