Powering Homes News: page 60
- January 2024
Octopus Energy launches UK's first vehicle-to-grid tariff
Octopus Energy launched Octopus Power Pack, described as the UK's first vehicle-to-grid tariff, at the beginning of 2024, following a vehicle-to-grid trial with National Grid ESO in 2022.
Ofgem energy price cap to rise by 5% from January 2024
Ofgem's energy price cap rises 5% from 1 January 2024, taking a typical household bill from £1,834 to £1,928 a year, with prepayment and cash or cheque customers paying more.
Energy Bills and the Price CapStatisticsRules and Regulation
Ofgem price cap from January 2024 puts EPC band F gas bills £415 above band C
Analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit finds gas bills in EPC band F homes will average £415 a year more than band C homes under Ofgem's price cap from January 2024.
Ofgem price cap rises in January 2024
A quarterly Tariff Watch report from the Warm This Winter coalition says 14 obscure charges, passed through standing charges, are keeping electricity bills at record levels after January's price cap rise.
Price cap expected to rise around 1% in January 2024
Cornwall Insight expects the Ofgem price cap to rise by around 1% in January 2024 after European gas prices rose again, taking a typical annual bill to about £1,932.
Price cap increases on 1 January 2024
National Energy Action marked the 1 January 2024 price cap rise by saying 6.1 million UK households are now in fuel poverty, 1.6 million more than when the energy crisis began.
Energy Bills and the Price CapWhere to StartYour Type of Home
Recall issued for Komodo Heat Mats due to electric shock risk
Electrical Safety First has recalled five models of Komodo Heat Mats, citing a risk of electric shock from overheating when the products are not used in accordance with the instructions.
Record month for prepayment meter top-up help
Citizens Advice helped a record number of people who could not afford to top up their prepayment meter in January 2024, with energy debt also at record levels.
Scottish Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme stopped funding new measures
The Scottish Central Government Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme has not funded new measures since January 2024, with its funding due to end in 2026, according to the Scottish Government's Heat in Buildings progress report.
Sunsave Plus subscription model launched
Sunsave launched Sunsave Plus, a solar subscription with no upfront cost, at the beginning of 2024, offering installation, financing and maintenance through one company under a 20-year guarantee.
Water company PSR registrations after this date flow to energy networks and suppliers
From 1 January 2024, households that join a water company's Priority Services Register have their details passed automatically to energy networks and suppliers, removing the need for a second registration.
Winter Fuel Payment cut back
The Winter Fuel Payment, cut back in 2024, will be restored to many pensioner households in England and Wales from winter 2025, but only where income is below £35,000 a year.
Zero emission vehicle mandate becomes law
The Zero Emission Vehicle mandate became law in January 2024, setting manufacturers annual quotas for zero emission cars and vans on the pathway to 2035.
Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate expected to come into force
The Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate is expected to come into force in January 2024, setting a minimum quota for new battery electric vehicle registrations for every brand.
ZEV mandate targets scheduled to begin
From 1 January 2024, the zero emission vehicle mandate requires an increasing share of each manufacturer's annual new car and van sales in the UK to be zero emission, rising to 100% in 2035.
- December 2023
SSEN offers £30 per person per day compensation during Storm Gerrit outages
SSEN Distribution has confirmed that customers left without power for more than 12 hours by Storm Gerrit can claim £30 per person per day for food and drink, as around 16,000 properties remained off supply.
Storm Gerrit damages SSEN network in north of Scotland
Storm Gerrit damaged SSEN's network across the north of Scotland on 27 December 2023, leaving just over 16,000 properties off supply by 9.45pm and some rural homes without power until Friday.
Scottish Government publishes update to Building Standards Technical Handbook implementing New Build Heat Standard
The Scottish Government has published a Building Standards Technical Handbook update implementing the New Build Heat Standard, banning gas and oil boilers in new homes from April 2024 but leaving the notional house specification unchanged.
Amendments to Class A made by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/1279) come into force
Amendments to Class A permitted development rights for solar equipment on domestic premises in England came into force on 21 December 2023, clarifying roof slope references and adding a prior approval requirement for flat roofs on article 2(3) land.
New permitted development rights for solar panels take effect in England
Amended permitted development rights for solar panels in England took effect on 21 December 2023, widening what can be installed without full planning permission.
Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel notes planned closure of Fuel Insecurity Fund in 2024/25 Budget
The Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel has told ministers it is extremely disappointed by plans to close the Fuel Insecurity Fund and cut housing and buildings budgets from April 2024.
Aereco announces new MVHR range
Aereco has announced a new mechanical ventilation with heat recovery range, led by the InspirAIR Top Premium unit, which the company says carries Passiv Haus certification and recognition in the PCDB database.
SSEN partners with YES Energy Solutions to offer free energy saving advice line
SSEN customers in the north of Scotland and central southern England can use the YES Advice Line for free energy efficiency advice, funding applications and benefit checks.
£6 billion allocated to energy efficiency and low-carbon heating schemes
The government has allocated £6 billion of capital funding for 2025 to 2028 across energy efficiency and low-carbon heating schemes, including a new £400 million grant for households in England.
Extra £1.5 billion for Boiler Upgrade Scheme announced
The government has allocated an extra £1.5 billion to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for 2025 to 2028, part of a £6 billion package for energy efficiency and low carbon heating.
Government announces £6bn allocation for energy efficiency and home upgrades
The government has allocated £6bn for energy efficiency and home upgrades, a sum the National Energy Action charity welcomed for low-income households but called small against the scale of fuel poverty.
UK government announces details of £6bn home decarbonisation funding for 2025 to 2028
The UK government has set out how £6bn for decarbonising homes between 2025 and 2028 will be spent, including extra money for low-income households and social housing.
Heat network zoning consultation first published
The government has published its response to the 2023 consultation on heat network zoning in England, which drew 156 replies and set out where networks should be the lowest-cost route to decarbonised heat.
RECC reports Government extension of VAT relief on energy saving materials
The Renewable Energy Consumer Code has reported that VAT relief on energy saving materials will be expanded from 1 February 2024 to cover battery storage, water-source heat pumps and diverters.
SSEN Distribution moves to Weather Warning status ahead of forecast high winds
SSEN Distribution moved to Weather Warning status on 18 December 2023 ahead of strong winds forecast across northern Scotland, activating contingency plans and additional teams.