Powering Homes News: page 61
- December 2023
Ofgem consults on making no wholesale cost adjustment to the price cap for October 2022 to September 2023
Ofgem has proposed making no adjustment to the energy price cap for wholesale costs incurred between October 2022 and September 2023, with responses to its consultation due by 17 January 2024.
Ofgem consults on one-off £16 price cap adjustment to recover bad debt costs
Ofgem has opened a consultation on a one-off £16 price cap adjustment, paid between April 2024 and March 2025, to let suppliers recover bad debt costs, with prepayment meter customers excluded.
Ofgem decides not to adjust price cap for Winter 22/23 wholesale variances
Ofgem has decided not to adjust the energy price cap for wholesale cost variances over Winter 22/23, and is consulting on a one-off £16 adjustment to cover bad debt.
British Gas Energy Trust launches White Goods Fund for England and Wales
The British Gas Energy Trust has opened a White Goods Fund giving refrigerators, freezers, electric cookers and washing machines to clients in or facing fuel poverty in England and Wales.
New consumer standards licence conditions take effect
Ofgem's new consumer standards licence conditions for energy suppliers took effect on 14 December 2023, covering contact ease, support for customers struggling to pay and publication of customer service ratings.
Ofgem consumer standards come into effect
Ofgem's strengthened consumer standards took effect on 14 December 2023, requiring suppliers to offer debt repayment plans and consider repayment holidays, as energy debt reached almost £3 billion.
Ofgem implements new consumer contact and customer service rules
Ofgem's new rules on contacting suppliers, support for customers in difficulty and publishing customer service performance took effect on 14 December 2023, after the fieldwork for its latest satisfaction survey.
Energy Systems Catapult report finds EPCs undermining decarbonisation efforts
Energy Systems Catapult has published a report arguing that domestic Energy Performance Certificates should be reformed, proposing three new metrics and Digital Building Passports to align the system with Net Zero.
Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation page first published
The government published its consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards on 13 December 2023, proposing Building Regulations changes for new homes in England from 2025.
Government consults on Future Homes and Buildings Standards with solar PV in one of two options for new homes
The government has opened a consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, setting out two options for new homes in England and recommending solar panels on new non-domestic buildings.
Government opens consultation into the Future Homes and Buildings Standard
The Government has opened a consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, the rules that will govern how homes built after 2025 are constructed and powered.
Written Ministerial Statement WMS23 published
A written ministerial statement published on 13 December 2023 has left local planning authorities unclear on whether they can set sustainability standards for new homes above national regulations.
CREDS article reports fall in gas central heating use during winter 2022/23 cost-of-living crisis
A CREDS blog reports that gas central heating fell as the main heating method from 78% of households in winter 2021 to 57% in winter 2022, with households turning to warm clothes, blankets and hot drinks.
Viessmann adds 35 kW model to Vitodens 050-W combi range
Viessmann has added a 35 kW model to its Vitodens 050-W combi boiler range, extending domestic hot water output to 35 kW and heating output to 32 kW.
Additional £1.5 billion announced for Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028
An extra £1.5 billion has been allocated to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme until 2028, funding around 200,000 further vouchers for homeowners in England and Wales.
Government confirms VAT relief expansion for battery storage, water-source heat pumps and diverters
The government has confirmed that electrical battery storage, water-source heat pumps and diverters will qualify for zero-rate VAT relief on installation from 1 February 2024 across the United Kingdom.
Outcome published: VAT energy saving materials relief to be expanded
HMRC has published the outcome of its call for evidence on VAT relief for energy saving materials, confirming an expanded zero rate from 1 February 2024 and a list of newly qualifying technologies.
Summary of responses to VAT energy-saving materials Call for Evidence published
The government published its summary of responses to the Call for Evidence on VAT relief for energy-saving materials on 11 December 2023, drawing 125 responses and setting out reforms that took effect on 1 February 2024.
ECIU publishes analysis of impact of scrapping MEES on renters in marginal seats
ECIU analysis says scrapping planned Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards could leave around 2.8m privately rented homes without improvements, with renters in marginal seats facing £40m a year in extra bills.
Scottish Government publishes easy read consultation on Heat in Buildings Bill
The Scottish Government has published an easy read version of its Heat in Buildings Bill consultation, setting out proposed dates for ending polluting heating and for minimum energy efficiency standards.
Sunsynk Mobile launches Lifelynk Series in the UK
Sunsynk Mobile has launched the Lifelynk Series, an all-in-one plug and play solar battery storage system in three sizes, which the maker calls its most affordable UK offering.
Aereco launches new MVHR range
Aereco has added a new mechanical ventilation with heat recovery range to its UK product line, announced on its homepage alongside its existing demand controlled ventilation systems.
Around 29 million smart meters fitted in UK homes
A consumer guide reports that around 29 million smart meters had been fitted to UK homes by the end of 2023, about 54 per cent of all homes.
Deadline for suppliers to enrol or replace first-generation smart meters
Energy suppliers must enrol first-generation smart meters onto the national communications network, or replace them with second-generation meters, by the end of 2023.
Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation published
The government has published its response to the 2023 Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation, confirming new energy efficiency rules for new homes in England from March 2027.
UK Government increased BUS grant funding level
The UK Government raised the level of grant funding available through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in December 2023, taking the heat pump grant to £7,500.
Hydrogen levy changed to apply to gas shippers rather than energy suppliers
The planned hydrogen levy on household gas bills has been moved onto gas shippers rather than energy suppliers, after the original proposal drew a backlash, according to a Nesta report on energy levies.
Legislation changes give powers to fine excessive smoke from wood burners
A West Yorkshire homeowner has been fined £175 for excessive smoke from a wood-burning stove, the first fixed penalty issued under powers introduced in December 2023.
Mitsubishi Electric launches Ecodan R290 heat pump at COP28
Mitsubishi Electric launched the Ecodan R290 heat pump, built in Livingston, Scotland, as COP28 delegates gathered, using a refrigerant with a global warming potential of three.
Octopus acquired Shell Energy
Octopus Energy completed its acquisition of Shell Energy's UK household supply business on 1 December 2023, ending Shell's presence in the domestic market and shifting its customers to Octopus.