Powering Homes News: page 58
- February 2024
Ideal Heating issues customer safety notice on boiler fault
Ideal Heating has issued a safety notice covering boilers built between August 2022 and 7 January 2024, with an engineer-installed safety device for affected models.
Launch of Interim CMIS EC5 service
The Electricity System Operator launched an interim Constraint Management Intertrip Service for the EC5 region in February 2024, with an enduring service to follow from April 2025.
National delivery of Visit a Heat Pump service begins
Nesta has been running its Visit a Heat Pump service nationally since February 2024, connecting people considering a heat pump with owners willing to show them a working system.
Ofgem allows involuntary prepayment meter installations to resume
Ofgem has confirmed that some energy suppliers may resume installing prepayment meters without household consent in early 2024, ending a pause on the practice.
Rules and RegulationEnergy Bills and the Price CapSmart Meters
Ofgem approves R0147 and confirms standing charge levelisation from 1 April 2024
Ofgem has confirmed that standing charges for prepayment meter and direct debit customers under the price cap will be levelled from 1 April 2024, accepting change proposal R0147.
Ofgem decided to extend the BAT for a further year
Ofgem decided in February 2024 to extend the ban on acquisition-only tariffs for a further year, citing residual risk in removing it and the Market Stabilisation Charge at the same time.
Ofgem introduced the Float temporary debt allowance
Ofgem has opened a consultation on whether the temporary debt allowance it added to the energy price cap in February 2024, known as the Float, was set at the right level.
Rules and RegulationEnergy SuppliersEnergy Bills and the Price Cap
Ofgem levelisation decision opens potential phase 2 on debt-related costs
Ofgem has said it could consult on levelling debt-related costs between Standard Credit and Direct Debit customers, as part of a wider review of price cap operating cost allowances.
Ofgem lowers price cap by around 12% for domestic energy bills
Ofgem has lowered its price cap for domestic energy bills by around 12% from April 2024, but gas and electricity costs remain 60% higher than in 2021, according to the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.
Ofgem sets out contingency proposals for price cap methodology
Ofgem has set out more detailed proposals for amending the price cap methodology if legislation on an energy intensive industry exemption is not in place by 1 April 2024.
Price cap announcement applies discount to prepayment standing charges
The February 2024 price cap announcement applied a discount to prepayment standing charges, making prepayment slightly cheaper than standard credit for the first time.
Relevant charitable purpose definition inserted
The definition of a relevant charitable purpose has been inserted into the VAT rules for installing energy-saving materials, taking effect from 1 February 2024.
The Renewable Technology Collective achieves MCS certification
The Renewable Technology Collective, a Scottish heat pump installer working across Angus, Tayside and Aberdeenshire, became MCS-certified for air source heat pumps in February 2024, a process its founder says took two months.
VAT ESM relief reforms to be implemented on 1 February 2024
The government has confirmed it will expand VAT relief on energy-saving materials from 1 February 2024, adding electrical battery storage, water-source heat pumps and diverters across the whole United Kingdom.
Which? carries out EPC mystery shopping research
Which? sent 12 members for home energy assessments in February and March 2024 and found that eight of the 11 completed cases did not appear accurate.
- January 2024
Keston Boilers issues safety notice for boilers made between August 2022 and 7 January 2024
Keston Boilers has issued a safety notice for ten boiler ranges made between August 2022 and 7 January 2024, with a free engineer-fitted safety upgrade for affected homes.
Minimum Supply Prices from 1 February 2024 added
Government guidance for heat network support under the Energy Bills Discount Scheme was updated on 31 January 2024 to set out the Minimum Supply Prices applying from 1 February 2024.
VAT relief extended to charitable purpose buildings, water source heat pumps, battery storage and Smart diverters
From 1 February 2024 VAT relief on energy-saving materials was extended to charitable purpose buildings, water source heat pumps, electrical battery storage, smart diverters and associated groundworks.
Council of the European Union adopts revised F-gas regulation
The Council of the European Union adopted a revised F-gas regulation on 29 January 2024, phasing down fluorinated gases used in heat pumps, air conditioners, fridges and some medicines.
MCS to exhibit at Everything Electric UK events for the first time
MCS will exhibit at all three Everything Electric UK events in 2024 for the first time, sharing an Energy Advice Stand with OVO to discuss small-scale renewables and certification.
NEA and EAS launch UK Fuel Poverty Monitor warning 3 million English households will remain in fuel poverty by 2030
National Energy Action and Energy Action Scotland warn that three million English households will still be in fuel poverty by 2030, with an £18 billion funding gap identified in their UK Fuel Poverty Monitor.
SSEN moves to Weather Warning status for north of Scotland ahead of 31 January winds
SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status for the north of Scotland on 29 January 2024, then upgraded to Yellow Alert on 30 January, ahead of very strong winds forecast for Wednesday 31 January.
MCS 020 consultation closes with 55 responses
MCS has published its response to a consultation on the MCS 020 sound standard for air source heat pumps, which closed on 26 January 2024 with 55 responses.
Warm This Winter releases third Tariff Watch report on standing charges
Warm This Winter's third Tariff Watch report identifies 14 obscure charges inside the Ofgem price cap that it says have pushed electricity standing charges up 119 per cent since winter 2020/21.
SSEN restores power to 35,000 homes after Storm Isha
SSEN restored power to 35,000 homes in central southern England after Storm Isha, as the network operator prepared for Storm Jocelyn and set out compensation for affected customers.
Storm Jocelyn forecast to disrupt SSEN network
SSEN restored power to more than 36,000 homes after Storm Isha and warned that Storm Jocelyn is expected to disrupt its network through Tuesday and Wednesday.
Grant UK launches EvoLink Hybrid System Hub
Grant UK has made the EvoLink Hybrid System Hub available, a wall-mounted unit that combines an Aerona³ heat pump with an existing fossil fuel boiler in one heating system.
SSEN maintains yellow alert for north of Scotland ahead of Storm Jocelyn
SSEN keeps its yellow alert for the north of Scotland as Storm Jocelyn is forecast to bring 75mph gusts overnight, while crews finish reconnecting 370 properties left without power by Storm Isha.
Which? ranks British Gas worst energy firm overall in annual survey
Which? has ranked British Gas bottom of its annual energy firm survey with an overall score of 56 per cent, while naming Octopus Energy, Ecotricity and E (Gas & Electricity) as Recommended Providers.
SSEN moves to Weather Warning status for central southern England
SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status for central southern England on 18 January 2024, warning of gusts of 55 to 60mph from Sunday night into Monday morning.