Powering Homes news, page 60
- February 2024
Eligible chargepoint model list first published
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles published its first list of electric vehicle chargepoint models eligible for its grants, covering residential, commercial and dual-use equipment.
Hypervolt rolls out Multi-Mode Scheduling to Home 3.0 and Home 3 Pro chargers
Hypervolt has begun rolling out Multi-Mode Scheduling to all Home 3.0 and Home 3 Pro chargers after completing beta testing, converting existing schedules automatically over the coming week.
Labour announces new warm homes plan
Labour has announced a new warm homes plan, prompting the fuel poverty charity National Energy Action to call for urgent, funded action on energy efficiency for the households least able to heat their homes.
SSEN submits £10m Storm Arwen funding application to Ofgem
SSEN Distribution has asked Ofgem for £10m of dedicated funding for five projects to improve storm response and network resilience, following the regulator's review of the response to Storm Arwen.
ECIU publishes estimate of the cost of not zero in 2023
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit estimates that missing net zero technologies and higher food bills cost UK households and government £73bn over 2022 and 2023, and at least £87bn since the early 2010s.
120 organisations sign letter urging Household Support Fund extension
The End Fuel Poverty Coalition joined 120 organisations in a letter to the Chancellor asking for the Household Support Fund to be extended by at least a year, as new figures put the cost of the bills crisis at £2,300 per household.
Addendum to NISEP 2023/25 Framework Document published
The Utility Regulator published a February 2024 addendum to the NISEP 2023/25 Framework Document, changing income eligibility, heat pump monitoring, governance and customer protections.
Rules and RegulationScotland, Wales and Northern IrelandHeat Pumps
British Gas customer support packages reach £140 million
British Gas announced customer support packages totalling £140 million between August 2022 and February 2024, according to the British Gas Energy Trust, which has itself received nearly £200 million since 2004.
British Gas launches Price Promise tariff priced below Ofgem price cap
British Gas has launched a fixed-rate Price Promise tariff at £1,699 a year for average dual fuel use, promising to beat the Ofgem price cap until at least July.
BUS vouchers awarded rise 75% year on year after grant increase to £7,500
MCS reports that Boiler Upgrade Scheme vouchers awarded in February 2024 were 75 per cent higher than a year earlier, following the increase in the grant from £5,000 to £7,500.
Disrepair to critical elements rose from 45% in 2023 to 48% in 2024
The Scottish House Condition Survey 2024 reports that disrepair to critical elements in Scottish homes rose from 45 per cent in 2023 to 48 per cent in 2024, alongside a fall in fuel poverty.
Electrical storage batteries included in the stated VAT circumstances
Electrical storage batteries installed in homes and relevant charitable buildings were brought within the VAT energy-saving materials rules from 1 February 2024, under stated circumstances.
February 2024 drop in fuel voucher help
Citizens Advice says the number of people it helped with fuel vouchers fell in February 2024, after a record January, as £299 Cost of Living payments and the warmest February on record eased immediate pressure.
Fixed-rate energy tariffs return to the energy market
Fixed-rate energy tariffs have started returning to the UK energy market, according to Home Energy Scotland, which says households should weigh contract length and exit fees before signing up.
Good Energy acquires Trust Solar
Good Energy has closed Trust Solar, the JPS Group solar and storage components business it acquired in February 2024, saying it will concentrate on solar and battery installations.
Government applies prepayment meter discount
The government has applied a discount on prepayment meters since February 2024 so that customers are not financially penalised for being moved onto one.
Government introduces voluntary principles for replacing smart meter displays
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero introduced voluntary principles in February 2024 to help households obtain a replacement smart meter display once the 12-month supplier obligation has ended.
Heat pump installation works provision inserted
VAT law for energy-saving materials was amended on 1 February 2024 so that installing ground source and water source heat pumps includes the groundworks or dredging needed for their pipework.
Homes for Net Zero scheme opens
E.ON and Energy Systems Catapult opened the Homes for Net Zero research scheme in February 2024, offering vouchers and efficiency measures to owners of solid-walled homes with smart meters.
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.