Powering Homes News: page 54
- April 2024
Wave 2.2 grant funding allocated
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund's Wave 2.2 allocated £75.5 million of grant funding in April 2024, building on £778 million awarded under Wave 2.1 in March 2023.
New Welsh Government Warm Homes programme launched
A new Welsh Government Warm Homes programme began on 1 April 2024, shifting support towards low carbon measures such as heat pumps and solar panels, as Nest published its 2023-24 annual report.
Grants and SchemesScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandHeat Pumps
WHAM funding taken over by Wales & West Utilities
The Centre for Sustainable Energy says its WHAM advice service in Bristol, BANES and North Somerset has been funded by Wales & West Utilities since April 2024.
- March 2024
Energy price cap levels updated for 1 April to 30 June 2024 with standing charge levelisation introduced
Ofgem has set the default tariff cap for 1 April to 30 June 2024 at £1,690 for a typical Direct Debit household, down £238, and has levelled prepayment standing charges with Direct Debit.
Market Stabilisation Charge expired
The Market Stabilisation Charge expired on 31 March 2024, removing a levy that suppliers could previously apply when a household switched away from them during the energy crisis.
ECIU analysis finds Government policy pushing UK backwards on energy security
A year after the Government's Powering Up Britain strategy, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit says recent policy changes have increased the UK's reliance on imported gas and oil.
Rules and RegulationWhere Our Energy Comes FromEnergy Independence
Ohme Home Pro eligibility changed to both commercial and residential
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has reclassified Ohme's Home Pro chargepoint as eligible for both commercial and residential grants, opening it to household grant funding.
Scottish Government publishes analysis of phase 3 PDR consultation responses
The Scottish Government has published its analysis of 467 responses to a consultation on extending permitted development rights for renewable energy equipment, with most proposals drawing majority support.
Statutory instrument on solar Permitted Development Rights laid before Scottish parliament
The Scottish Government laid a statutory instrument before parliament on 28 March 2024 to simplify permitted development rules for solar, with changes expected to take effect on 24 May.
Rules and RegulationSolar PanelsScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Consultation on the Home Energy Model: Future Homes Standard Assessment closed
The National Insulation Association has published its response to the Home Energy Model consultation, which closed on 27 March 2024 and will set the assessment method for the Future Homes Standard.
Solar Energy UK submits response to Future Homes and Buildings Standards 2023 consultation
Solar Energy UK has told the Government it backs an amended Option 1 with mandated solar in the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, opposes Option 2, and has flagged a bug in the Home Energy Model.
Hypervolt announces app 5.3 with new sign-in and scheduling features
Hypervolt has announced app version 5.3, rolling out gradually to all users through the end of March 2024, with native account sign-in, energy estimates for scheduled charging and a cross-day schedule countdown.
Ofgem publishes discussion paper on the future of domestic price protection
Ofgem has opened a discussion on whether the default tariff price cap needs reform, seeking views by 10 May 2024 on how household price protection should work as the retail market changes.
Which? names Scottish Power, Ovo Energy and British Gas worst energy suppliers for customer service
Which? has named Scottish Power, Ovo Energy and British Gas as the worst energy suppliers for quick responses and effective solutions, with Octopus Energy rated best.
E.ON Next electricity prepayment emergency credit increased from £5 to £10
E.ON Next has raised emergency credit on most electricity prepayment meters from £5 to £10, with the increase still being rolled out and customers told by letter or email.
Warm Homes, Healthy Futures national health programme launched by NGN, NEA and UK gas distribution networks
Northern Gas Networks, National Energy Action and the UK's other gas distribution networks have launched a multi-year fuel poverty and health programme, Warm Homes, Healthy Futures, at the House of Lords.
Wickes launches fully installed Hypervolt EV charger service
Wickes customers can now add a fully installed Hypervolt home charger to their order for £410, using Hypervolt's Trusted Installers and Bedfordshire installer ProEV.
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking opens
The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking opened on 18 March 2024, offering 75 per cent off a home chargepoint and cross-pavement solution, up to a maximum of £500.
Hypervolt and OVO expand charger installation partnership
Hypervolt has announced a multi-year Managed Installations Programme with OVO Energy, under which OVO engineers will fit Hypervolt Home 3 Pro chargers for partnership customers on the Charge Anytime tariff.
Toshiba Carrier UK launches DAISEIKAI 10 air conditioner in the UK
Toshiba Carrier UK has launched the DAISEIKAI 10 air conditioner in the UK, a unit built with 43% recycled plastic components and a suite of air purification and sensing features.
Consultation launched on postponing Clean Heat Market Mechanism to 1 April 2025
The Government has opened a consultation on postponing the Clean Heat Market Mechanism to 1 April 2025, while confirming changes to Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility rules.
DESNZ announces delay of Clean Heat Market Mechanism and changes to Boiler Upgrade Scheme
DESNZ announced on 14 March 2024 that the Clean Heat Market Mechanism would be delayed to 1 April 2025 and that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme would drop its insulation requirement and accept biomass boilers with integrated cooking functions.
DESNZ announces significant changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has announced changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, including relaxed insulation rules, new biomass eligibility and tighter commissioning deadlines, in force from 8 May 2024.
DESNZ publishes Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation outcome
DESNZ has set out the outcome of its Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation, keeping the EPC requirement but dropping the rule that loft and cavity wall insulation recommendations must be resolved first.
Government announces changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Clean Heat Market Mechanism
Claire Coutinho has announced changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, including new eligibility for biomass boilers with integrated cooking functions and a higher capacity limit for shared ground loops.
Government removes EPC insulation requirement from Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility
The government has removed the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rule requiring no outstanding loft and cavity wall insulation recommendations on a valid EPC, and has consulted on delaying the Clean Heat Market Mechanism.
Government response to Boiler Upgrade Scheme regulations consultation published
The government has confirmed changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme rules, dropping the EPC insulation recommendation bar and widening eligibility for biomass boilers and shared ground loops.
Nesta publishes report on future subsidies for heat pumps
Nesta has published a report on improving heat pump subsidies and welcomed the removal of an insulation condition from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, while warning that a delay to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism could unsettle the market.
Nesta responds to Boiler Upgrade Scheme regulations consultation
Nesta has told a government consultation that the Boiler Upgrade Scheme should keep its EPC requirement but drop the rule barring homes with outstanding loft or cavity wall insulation recommendations.
Rules and RegulationGrants and SchemesInsulation and Glazing
Panasonic announces Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series heat pump
Panasonic has announced the Big Aquarea T-CAP M Series heat pump, offered in 20 to 30 kW sizes and scalable to 300 kW in cascade with up to 10 units connected.