Powering Homes news, page 55
- April 2024
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.
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.