Powering Homes news, page 57
- March 2024
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.
Secretary of State correspondence published on consultation responses
Correspondence dated 14 March 2024 from the Secretary of State covers the Boiler Upgrade Scheme consultation response, an addendum to the Clean Heat Market Mechanism response, and the Improving Boiler Standards and Efficiency response.
Installer update published for safety notice
Ideal Heating has published an installer update to its February safety notice, confirming a safety upgrade for boilers made between August 2022 and 7 January 2024.
NIA responds to Scottish Government Heat in Buildings Bill consultation
The National Insulation Association has told the Scottish Government it supports its Heat in Buildings Bill proposals but wants solid wall insulation added to the list of measures used to meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
Rules and RegulationInsulation and GlazingScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
SSEN and partners announce accelerated connection timescales for 7,800 homes in West London
SSEN Distribution and National Grid have brought forward connection dates for 7,800 homes across three West London boroughs using ramped connections, with projects once slated for the 2030s now able to connect within 12 to 24 months.
Publication of the second REMA consultation
The second Review of Electricity Market Arrangements consultation, published on 12 March 2024, asks for views on options to cut thermal constraint costs, which made up 40 per cent of balancing costs in 2023/24.
SSEN announces completion of VFES vulnerability innovation project
SSEN Distribution has completed the VFES innovation project, funded by Ofgem's Network Innovation Allowance, which predicts where and when communities are most vulnerable to power cuts and to missing out on low-carbon technology.
Children's rights impact assessment published for new Warm Homes Programme
The Welsh Government has published a children's rights impact assessment for its new Warm Homes Programme, which replaces Nest and extends eligibility to low income households as well as those on benefits.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Heat in Buildings Bill consultation closes
The Scottish Government's consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill closed on 8 March 2024 after receiving over 1,600 responses, and the Bill has since been redrafted.
Social Housing Net Zero Standard consultation closed
The Scottish Government's consultation on a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard closed on 8 March 2024, with responses now under independent analysis ahead of a report.
Rules and RegulationYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Welsh Government publishes integrated impact assessment for new Warm Homes Programme
The Welsh Government has published an integrated impact assessment for its new Warm Homes Programme, setting out a £260 million cost, carbon savings and a worst first approach to fuel poverty.
Grants and SchemesYour Type of HomeScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Which? publishes response to Scottish Government consultation on Heat In Buildings Bill
Which? has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on the Heat in Buildings Bill, backing long term targets and installer certification while warning that support must match the scale of the change.